One killed every five days on North East roads, as data reveals rise in road deaths
One person is killed every five days on North East roads, new data has revealed.
Figures show a worrying increase in road deaths across the region, with fatalities rising from 67 in 2023 to 73 in 2024 - the second highest toll in the past decade.
It means, on average, someone died once every five days on the road network.
Only 2019 saw more lives lost on the roads, with 75 deaths recorded across the region that year.
In County Durham and Darlington fatalities dropped slightly, down by three from 2023 to 2024.
But the numbers still reflect a higher rate than between 2017 and 2023.
Nationally more than 1,600 people died on the country's roads last year.
It comes a year to the day since aunt and nephew, Karlene Warner, 30, and Zackary Blades, eight months, were killed by a drunk diver in a horror crash on the A1(M) between Durham and Chester-Le-Street.
Anderson was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit and had an empty vodka bottle in his car.
Strategic Roads Policing Inspector, Andy Howarth, said: 'We know the Fatal Four dramatically increases a driver's risk of a collision and causing serious harm or death which is why we work all-year-round to stop selfish people like this and take them off our roads.
'Unfortunately, some drivers continue to ignore our message and sadly, people have lost their lives as a result. Lives that have been cut short unnecessarily.
'Knocking on the door of a person's loved ones and delivering this devastating news is quite possibly the hardest part of being a police officer which is why we will never stop trying to get this message across.
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'Slow down, put your phone down, don't drink or drug drive and belt up. Life is precious.'
In response, the force have carried out numerous road safety operations such as 'Op Spotlight', 'Op Take Off' and 'Op Close Pass'.
The Northern Echo have contacted Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen and Durham County Council for comment.
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