London Road Safety Figures 'Encouraging'

NEW figures released show that deaths and serious injuries on London's roads fell to a record low last year.

A total of 132 people were killed on the UK capital's streets in 2013. This was compared to 134 in 2012 and forms the second-lowest annual total, according to Transport for London (TfL) figures.

Adding serious injuries to deaths, there were a total of 2,324 killed and seriously injured (KSI) casualties in London last year - the lowest figure ever and down 23% on the 3,018 figure in 2012.

Pedestrian deaths fell from 69 in 2012 to 65 in 2013, with 14 pedal cyclist fatalities last year, the same number as in 2012.

Cycling safety in the capital came to the fore late last year following the deaths of six cyclists over a two-week period in the Autumn. The new figures showed that pedal cyclists KSI last year fell 27% - from 671 in 2012 to 489 in 2013.

Commenting on the figures, London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "These latest statistics are hugely encouraging, but they are by no means the end of the story. Our ultimate goal is to see a London where roads are free from death and serious injury."

By Press Association reporters