FIGURES released today show that the number of people killed or injured on Somerset’s roads has fallen to a 20 year low.

Although there were 32 deaths last year on Somerset’s roads - a reduction of two on the previous year – and 206 serious injuries, the total has fallen consistently over the last 20 years.

There were 238 deaths and serious injuries which is well below the annual average of 376 in the mid 1990s.

Terry Beale of the Somerset Road Safety Partnership said: “While there are still far too many crashes and injuries on our roads, this downward trend is very encouraging.”

The recently released figures show Somerset achieved central Government’s target to reduce deaths, serious and slight injuries between 2000 and 2010.

Mr Beale added: “The partnership will continue to work together in a bid to further reduce the number of casualties on Somerset roads.”