THE number of deaths on roads in Lancashire is at its lowest point ever, according to new figures.

And the number of seriously injured people has also fallen in the last year, although slight injury accidents continue to rise.

The latest figures are similar to national levels, with 89 people being killed on the roads in Lancashire last year, compared to 97 in 1995/96.

Lancashire Police Authority will be told it is unclear why slight casualties are rising while serious ones fall.

A report also says there is concern at the number of young car drivers involved in accidents.

It says: "Of most concern is the continuing involvement of casualties within the 17 to 25 year age range, most of these being car occupants.

"A mixture of inexperience combined with youthful exuberance and a desire to become independent is resulting in these statistics." Accidents involving speed and dangerous driving have also fallen, along with drink driving-related incidents.

In Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley,16 per cent of the 673 breath tests proved positive, compared to 20 per cent of the 718 tests in 1995/96.

Speeding detections have risen by 175 per cent in the last four years, which police put down to the number of speed cameras on roads.

It also says there was a reduction in accidents on roads covered by cameras.

The report, to go before the Lancashire Police Authority on Tuesday, was produced by Chief Constable Pauline Clare following concern at the rise in accident casualties.

The cost of road traffic accidents to the police was £265,321,490 in 1996. Mrs Clare said the force remained committed to reducing death and injury through a variety of schemes.

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