Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership statistics reveal road deaths in Cheshire West and Chester have fallen by 31 per cent to 42 during 2009 compared with 61 in 2008.
The average number of such fatalities between 2001 and 2005 was 72.
Partnership manager Lee Murphy said: “These are welcoming figures and it is encouraging to see a significant reduction in our road casualties to our lowest ever number.
“I thank all the partners, staff and the Cheshire public in working exceptionally hard together to continually save lives.
“Since 2003 the partners have invested a lot of time and money in a wide range of road safety education, engineering and enforcement initiatives, both across Cheshire and at a local level, and this has been successful in reducing the impact on people’s lives.”
He added: “However, the Partnership believes one casualty on our roads is one too many and so we will work even harder to ensure that we continue to exceed the government’s target figures and make Cheshire’s roads safer.
“We cannot afford to become complacent and road users must remember the importance of safe and responsible driving, and think about the consequences of their actions.
“The fact that the majority of fatalities are caused by poor driving/riding and more than 21 per cent are through alcohol impairment highlights that some motorists are still acting incredibly irresponsibly and, therefore, dangerously.”
In addition to the drop in road deaths, statistics show the number of people who are seriously injured on roads has fallen by 16 per cent to 557 compared with 663 in 2008; young drivers aged 17-25 who were killed or seriously injured has fallen by 31 per cent to 143, compared with 206 in 2008; and motorbike casualties fell by 13 per cent to 139 compared with 160 in 2008.
The government has set a target to reduce death and serious injury on our roads by 40 per cent by this year compared with the average figures between 1994 and 1998. Cheshire has exceeded this target, recording a reduction of 48 per cent by the end of 2009.
For more information go to www.mysaferroads.org.uk