In the first six months of 2008 no drivers were killed. Nine sustained serious injuries in crashes.

It is a 63 per cent reduction on the same period in 2006 when 24 drivers were fatally or seriously injured and a 44 per cent reduction on last year when the number was 16.

The statistics do not include motorcyclists or pedestrians.
Road-safety officers say much of the success is down to the Courier's seatbelt campaign.

Sergeant Garry Alderson said: "I am pleased drivers are heeding the warnings about seatbelt use and it proves if you wear your seatbelt it will save life and reduce injury."

The number of passenger deaths are also down with one death on the M62 within Calderdale's boundary.

Eight passengers have suffered serious injuries.

"I cannot emphasis enough how important it is for every person in a vehicle to put a seatbelt on," said Sgt Alderson.

In the first six months of 2007 the total figure for passenger deaths was seven and the previous year it was nine.

"I am disappointed passengers are not belting up and are still happy to risk death," said Sgt Alderson.

Police will be carrying out more seatbelt checks around Calderdale over the next few weeks.

Kate Marsh, Calderdale Council road safety officer, said the figures showed there was still some way to go but the fall in car driver deaths and injuries was a great success to build on.

Dr Andy Lockey, clinical director in emergency medicine at Calder-dale Royal Hospital, said: "It still pains me to see unrestrained passengers who sustain life- threatening injuries.

"The driver of your car may be entirely trustworthy but the same cannot always be said for the other car drivers around."

Comment