Latest figures released by Devon County Council show that the toll of 36 deaths on Devon's roads in 2003 was the fourth lowest on record.

The 2003 figures show that crashes that killed car drivers continue to drop, while those involving motorcyclists remain high.

Six pedestrians died along with one cyclist, nine motorcyclists, one motorcycle passenger, 12 car drivers, four car passengers and two lorry drivers.

The numbers killed in recent years were 45 in 2002, 46 in 2001 and 51 in 2000.

Road safety experts are examining the details to see what further work can be done to try to reduce accidents in future, even though the downward trend shows the authority is on course to meet the government's target of a reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 40 per cent by 2010.

Other facts taken from a study of fatalities on Devon roads over the last 10 years show: The highest number of deaths occurred on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays The highest numbers occurred in March and September Half of the car occupants killed were aged between 17 and 25 Motorcyclist deaths occurred most often on Sundays and are often associated with leisure riding of higher powered machines Most deaths occurred on rural roads Two fatalities involved collisions with deer

The County Environment Director, Edward Chorlton, has put forward a five point plan for changes that need to happen to make Devon the safest place in the country in which to travel:

1 Motorcyclists who ride at excessive speeds are pushing their skills, to the limit. They are just one slip away from death. Most deaths to riders involve the loss of control of a single vehicle due to riding beyond their ability.

2. Drivers are also dying because they lose control, usually because they are driving too fast for the conditions. If you're a driver who speed at best get caught and prosecuted and at worse cause death, injury and distress on Devon's roads. Passengers have a role to play, and all passengers who feel uncomfortable about how their driver is driving to tell them how they feel.

3. In urban areas there will be vulnerable people such as the young and old about. That's why the speed limits are usually 20mph or 30 mph. And that's why there are speed cameras about, to remind us to keep our speeds down in areas where there is a record of injuries.

4. The County Council will do its bit to improve still further the safety of its roads. And car manufacturers are doing their bit to make cars safer for their occupants in a crash. But all these expensive improvements will count as nothing if drivers 'consume' these benefits by driving faster or more recklessly. Drive with all the care you'd expect to be extended to you.

5. Drink and other drugs make drivers unfit to perform safely. There are no excuses for wilfully making ourselves unsafe.

Executive Member for Environment, Councillor David Morrish, added: 'While nothing can diminish the tragedies of these 36 deaths, it is important to realise that for road casualties, like crime, Devon has a record that makes it one of the safest places to be in Britain.

'We still have work to do to make it even safer, and also reduce the number of slight injury accidents. The County Council will continue to work with the Police and Highways Agency to create safe highways with safe users.'

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