POLICE and the county council this week pledged to do all they can to help reduce even further the number of fatalities on West Devon's roads. Figures supplied by the council show that last year West Devon had two fatal collisions that resulted in three fatalities, while neighbouring Mid Devon had the highest number of road deaths in the county, double more than any other district. The statistics do not include the road tragedy three weeks ago in which teacher Michael Pyne, 28, from Sticklepath, died when his car was in collision with a lorry on the A386 at Sourton. A total of 36 people died on Devon's roads last year, compared with 46 the previous year — of these, eleven died in mid Devon from ten fatal collisions, although the figures were down from the previous year. In West Devon there were 29 serious road accidents compared with 23 the year before. Devon County Council road safety officer Peter Gimber said: 'The lessons to be learned from the fatal collisions are being examined by the county council's collision investigators and the police. 'They look at which collisions might have resulted from errors of judgement by road users, from high risk driving, or were contributed to by external factors, including weather conditions or vehicle defects. 'From initial analysis of 2006 fatalities it seems that the single most frequent problem involved drivers or motorcyclists losing control while negotiating bends. 'In many cases this involved excessive speed, but we will wait for more detailed reports that may show if alcohol, drugs, a medical condition or fatigue also played a part.' The council has already installed engineering measures at sites where there had previously been collisions. High visibility signing has been erected on the A3072 at Venton Cross near Hatherleigh. In 2006 the Government awarded Devon County Council Beacon Status for its excellence in delivering road safety. The police say they continue to promote measures to help prevent further tragedies on the borough's roads. Ian Milligan, the police inspector for West Devon, said the figures demonstrate that there is always potential danger on the road. He said: 'Motorists have got to take responsibility and drive sensibility and with due regard to the road conditions.' Insp Milligan added that the police were actively promoting the road safety message and the issue was not just about more speed cameras. 'Many people worry about cars speeding through villages, but where enforcement is in play it is the road calming measures that are often the most effective solution in the long term.' Insp Milligan and his force are working with Devon County Council to identify key accident sites. The police provide the council with statistics which can be analysed so potential accident sites can be identified and investment attracted to improve visibility and introduce road signs and speed limits. The police and council have identified 17 potential 'accident cluster sites' based on figures reflecting volume of traffic and number of accidents at the site. From this four sites in West Devon have been identified: Sourton Cross Services on the A386, outside Carr's Garage at Lamerton, the A386 at Horrabridge, and Drake's statue roundabout in Tavistock. Monies to improve these four spots by road calming, speed limitation and signing will come when the council begins its next financial year in April.
