DANGEROUS road accidents on North Somerset roads are declining, after the number dropped for the fourth year in a row.

In 2014, there were 370 reported accidents in the district, down from 465 in 2010, with the figure dropping consistently during that period.

Deaths and serious injuries have fallen too – from 57 to 51 for the same period – with North Somerset Council pledging to continue to ‘make our roads as safe as possible’.

The improvements have outpaced much of the rest of the country, with accidents falling at around four times the rate of the UK overall.

Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, whose role includes responsibility for the district’s roads, said there had been a number of methods introduced to tackle the number of accidents.

He said: “We will continue to work hard to bring these figures down further and to make our roads as safe as possible.

“We have a data-driven programme of education, training and publicity aimed at the highest risk and most vulnerable road user groups, including young drivers, motorcyclists and children.

“Other safety improvements include installing pedestrian crossings where high demand warrants, tactile surfacing at crossing points, pavement and footway improvements, drainage improvements, improvements at junctions, road markings and road layout.”

A spokesman for the RAC Foundation, which collated the findings, said: “These green shoots need to be nurtured, but there is much to be done and no room for complacency.

“Many stakeholders are keen to play their part in improving road safety, and we hope the Government and authorities will work with all willing parties to develop a new road safety strategy for the next five years or more.”