Cumbria road collisions causing serious injury rise 15%

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 05:59 · Archive

Killed and seriously injured collisions in Cumbria increased 15.2% to 144 in the year to August, police say.

Killed and seriously injured road collisions in Cumbria have increased by 15.2 per cent to 144 in the financial year to August, up from 125 during the same period the previous year. Casualties involved in these collisions have also risen from 141 to 160 in the same timeframe, according to figures in the latest Cumbria Constabulary performance report.

Whilst fatal collisions fell by 25 per cent from 12 to nine, serious injury collisions rose significantly by 34.8 per cent, from 23 to 31. Dr Louise Kane, executive director of Cumbria Constabulary, said there has been 'an increase in behaviour or inexperience being the highest reported road safety factor'.

Cumbria Constabulary has been running Operation Spotlight, which targets what police call the 'fatal four': speeding, use of mobile phones while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving under the influence of drink or drugs. Dr Kane said the force has 'another two-week campaign planned, particularly focussing on young drivers'.

David Allen, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria, raised particular concerns about inexperienced drivers involved in serious collisions. He said the issue of inexperience 'does cause a concern' and noted that he has written to the Ministry of Transport 'many, many times' about graduated driving licences, adding that 'my own personal view is we can't go on like this'.

How it is being reported

• 'Behaviour and inexperience' at play in collisions as fatalities and injuries riseCumbria KSI collisions rise 15.2% to 144 in 2026/27, with police citing inexperience and behaviour as young-driver safety campaigns are planned.Westmorland Gazette · 10 Nov, 05:00
• 'Behaviour and inexperience' at play in collisions as fatalities and injuries riseCumbria KSI collisions rise 15.2% to 144 in 2026/27, with police citing inexperience and behaviour as young-driver safety campaigns are planned.News & Star · 10 Nov, 05:00
• 'Behaviour and inexperience' at play in collisions as fatalities and injuries riseCumbria KSI collisions rise 15.2% to 144 in 2026/27, with police citing inexperience and behaviour as young-driver safety campaigns are planned.Whitehaven News · 10 Nov, 05:00
• 'Behaviour and inexperience' at play in collisions as fatalities and injuries riseCumbria KSI collisions rise 15.2% to 144 in 2026/27, with police citing inexperience and behaviour as young-driver safety campaigns are planned.NW Evening Mail · 10 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Cumbria Constabulary · Dr Louise Kane · David Allen · Cumbria · Ministry of Transport

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