DEATHS on roads covered by a North-East police force dropped to the lowest recorded level in 2010, in the 36 years since force boundary changes.

A total of 16 people died in road traffic accidents in the Durham Police area, taking in County Durham and Darlington, two down on the previous low of 18 recorded only in 2009.

The death-toll was made up of six pedestrian fatalities, five vehicle drivers, two motor cyclists, a car passenger, a bus driver and an electric wheelchair rider.

Inspector Ken Cook, of the newly formed Cleveland and Durham Strategic Roads Policing Department, said: "While we're obviously delighted to have managed to reduce the number of fatal collisions on our roads, every single fatal road traffic accident is one too many.

"Our absolute priority remains to reduce this number even further in the coming years."

He said excess speed remains the main cause of fatal and serious accidents.

But, failing to wear a seat belt, driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and lapses in driver concentration all contributed to the casualty list.

Insp Cook said: "There is, however, only one common denominator to all of these areas, and that is the driver.

"Tragically last year 16 families had to face up to the reality of losing a loved one as a result of a traffic collision on our roads, an unimaginable loss.

"The fact remains that most of the fatalities which do take place on our roads are avoidable.

"While we continue to work tirelessly with our partners to reduce the number of serious or fatal accidents, we cannot achieve this priority without the full help and support of our motoring public.

"We look to drivers to help by making a concerted and continued commitment to behaving responsibly on our roads at all times," added Insp Cook.

Durham and Cleveland police authorities announced last September that the two forces were to share several operational functions.

Some are already being shared while others, including the joint roads policing unit, will take effect from April 1.