THE number of road accidents in Kirklees and Calderdale has hit a 30-year low.

Both areas have seen the numbers of accidents drop to their lowest level since 1974.

In Kirklees, there were 1,299 injury accidents last year. Eight were fatal, 176 people were seriously hurt and a further 1,115 were slightly injured.

In Calderdale, there were 860 injury accidents. Ten were fatal and 90 people were badly hurt. The rest involved minor injuries.

Calderdale Council has reduced the number of slight injuries, but says it does not expect to reduce serious injuries as they are often caused by dangerous driving not bad engineering.

The council’s next target is to reduce the number of accidents involving people under 16 and the number of motorcyclists involved in crashes.

Clr Barry Collins, chairman of the regeneration and development scrutiny committee, said: “The reduction in overall casualties is pleasing, but there are areas where we can still improve.

“These are not just figures. Every case hides family suffering and grief. We need to be doing all we can to reduce the risk of other families experiencing heartbreak.”

Kirklees Council has also pledged to do more to reduce accident figures in line with Government targets.

Clr David Hall, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “There is still a long way to go and we have a comprehensive programme of projects aimed at reducing the numbers and severity of injuries on our roads over the next 18 months.”