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From The Times
June 27, 2003

Motorcycle deaths rise

By Ben Webster
THE number of motorcyclists killed on Britain’s roads rose to the highest level for more than a decade last year.

A total of 609 motorcyclists and moped riders died, a 4 per cent increase on 2001 and the worst figure since 1990. It was the only category of roaduser to see a higher casualty rate last year.

Overall, 3,431 people were killed in road crashes, a fall of just under 1 per cent. The annual death toll has remained at about 3,400 over the past five years, after falling steadily since the 1970s.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents attributed the increase in motorcycle deaths to middle-aged men buying high-performance bikes for use at weekends.

Traffic congestion has also prompted more people to buy motorbikes and mopeds. The total distance travelled by motorbike rose by 5 per cent last year, so the number of deaths per mile fell slightly.

The number of pedestrian and pedal cyclist deaths both fell by 6 per cent. There were 8,631 deaths and serious injuries among pedestrians and 2,450 among cyclists.

Total child deaths fell by 18 per cent to 179, largely due to a steep drop in child pedestrian deaths, which was attributed to the increased use of 20mph speed limits and more children being driven to school.

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