HGV accident death toll falling in '87
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• Despite the growing number of vehicles on Britain's roads, the number of people killed or injured in traffic accidents fell during the first quarter of the year, according to the latest figures from the Department of Transport.
Up to the end of March 38 HGV drivers were killed — down 25% — while the number of seriously injured drivers was 539.
During the first three months of 1987 the total number of deaths, including pedestrians, fell by 12% to 1,014 compared with the same period last year. The number of seriously injured also fell, by 13% to 12,926.
Significantly, over 50% of all road traffic deaths, including pedestrians, occurred on builtup roads with a speed limit of 40mph (64km/h) or less.
Roads and Traffic Minister Peter Bottoinley says that while the decline in deaths and injuries is particularly encouraging, given the continuing rise in road traffic, the overall number of injuries • is still "unacceptably high",