Road deaths rise by 3% in a year

The number of road deaths has risen by 3 per cent in the past year. There were 1,901 fatalities in 2011 and 23,122 people seriously hurt, a rise of 2 per cent, according to the Department for Transport.

The number of fatalities rose for pedestrians and car occupants, by 12 per cent and six per cent respectively compared with 2010, but fell for other types of road users.

Deaths of motorcyclists fell by 10 per cent, those of cyclists by four per cent and coach and bus occupants by 22 per cent. The total number of casualties of all severities reported to police last year was 203,950, a fall of 2 per cent compared to 2010.