SOMERSET Council has launched a new campaign to make our roads safer after a 'disturbing' number of people were killed on the county's roads last year.

In 2023, 30 people died while travelling on Somerset’s roads - nearly 43 per cent more than the figure for 2022 and the highest number of fatalities in ten years.

In four of the incidents, more than one person died. 

As a result, The Fatal Five campaign has been launched, highlighting the five behaviours (as follows) responsible for 76 per cent of collisions.

·       Intoxicated driving, (drink or drugs) 

·       Careless or inconsiderate driving 

·       Excessive Speed 

·       Mobile phone use or distraction, or 

·       Failing to wear a seatbelt. 

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital said: “The rise in fatalities is deeply disturbing so it is vital we try to save lives and encourage people to avoid these ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours as road users.  

“With the Fatal Five campaign we want to raise awareness and influence behaviour.  In addition, our Road Safety Team has increased their activities significantly in response to these figures, with 41,000 face-to-face interventions with people in Somerset in 2023, more than ever before – from school children and young, inexperienced drivers, to older drivers looking to refresh their skills."