North West a Blue Lights accident black spot

11.53.00am GMT Thu 20th Mar 2008

Police vehicles were involved in over 1,600 accidents in the North West between 2002-6

Figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats show that the North West has the highest number of accidents involving emergency vehicles in the UK.

The Liberal Democrat Transport team revealed figures which show that emergency vehicles were involved in nearly 2000 accidents between 2002 and 2006. They also showed that the North West alone accounts for more accidents involving emergency vehicles than Scotland, Wales and London combined.

Responding to these figures, Mark Hunter, MP for the Cheadle constituency, and transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said, "Of course emergency vehicles need to reach their destination as quickly as possible, and quite rightly have priority on the roads, but given the figures show they are responsible for 264 casualties and 39 fatalities between 2002 and 2006 in the North West alone, questions need to be asked.

"The Government has known for sometime about unacceptable accident rates but clearly not enough has been done to significantly improve safety. The time has come for positive initiatives, including better road safety training, to ensure that casualty and fatality levels are cut.

"I have written to the Minister asking why the figures for the North West are so high and what the Government are proposing to do to tackle the problem.

"Emergency vehicle personnel provide a vital service to our communities and it is our duty to help them continue their work efficiently but also safely."