Road deaths fall since launch of Drive SMART campaign

The number of deaths on Surrey roads has dropped in the four years since the launch of a high-profile safe driving campaign.

Last year, there were 18 deaths on Surrey’s roads compared to 45 in 2008 and 41 in 2009, the year Surrey County Council and Surrey Police launched Drive SMART.

The death rate has also dropped consistently in each intervening year. Up to August this year, the latest data available, there were 11 deaths in 2013.

Drive SMART focuses on reducing road casualties, tackling anti-social driving and making the county’s roads safer. The campaign’s focus includes speeding, motorists driving under the influence of drink or drugs and the use of mobile phones while driving.

Road safety initiatives set up as part of the Drive SMART campaign include driver rehabilitation courses, school crossing patrols, BikeSafe advanced motorcyclist training, poster and publicity campaigns and Safe Drive Stay Alive theatre performances.

John Furey, Chair of Drive SMART and Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “The drop in road deaths is good news, and our Drive SMART campaign will continue to focus on keeping our residents safe through education.

“However, there is a lot still to do. For example, this summer we launched our Cycle SMART campaign reminding all road users to respect the rules of the road and each other.”

Supt Chris Moon, of Surrey Police, said: ““Drive SMART is all about changing the behaviours and attitudes of road users to reduce the unacceptable level of road casualties on Surrey’s roads.

“We would prefer drivers and riders to realise the risks of their actions and the devastating results should they lose control of their vehicle or motorcycle, injuring themselves or others. But we will enforce the law robustly to keep casualties down and people in Surrey safe.

“We will continue to work with the county council and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to protect the public through this valuable initiative.”

Clic on the pins below to see the areas in Surrey with the biggest falls in road deaths.