The number of fatal crashes across Wiltshire in the last year has reduced by a quarter, Wiltshire Police has confirmed.

There were 21 crashes in the county which resulted in at least one life lost in 2023, data has revealed, down from 28 in 2022.

This follows a road safety campaign and programme of proactive policing to reduce road deaths in the area, and the force is now hoping to improve even further on that for 2024 as it says 'any single death or injury on our roads is one too many'.

Not included in the statistics are several fatal crashes in Wiltshire so far in 2024. 

This includes the death of a teenager who was inside an alleged stolen car and was killed during a police chase after it crashed into Commonhead roundabout near J15 of the M4 at the start of the month and the death of a woman in her 60s who was involved in a crash with a lorry on the A303 near Stonehenge. 

A/Insp Will Ayres said: “Whilst it is positive news that fewer fatal collisions have occurred on our roads, we must stress that those who have died on Wiltshire’s roads are not just statistics – each fatality is a person who is loved and missed by many – somebody’s mum or dad, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent and friend.

"And that is so important to keep at the forefront of our minds and that is why we feel so passionate about the work we do. We will continue to target those most likely to cause harm on the roads and prevent further families from being devastated by the loss of a loved one.”

The Wiltshire Police Roads Policing Unit has confirmed it will continue with Project Zero in 2024 which is a day of action targeting what it calls the fatal five, which are drink and drug driving, speeding, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt. 

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “I recently joined the Roads Policing Unit during a Project Zero day of action and I was impressed with the team’s dedication to dealing robustly with drivers who commit road-related offences and seeking out vehicles that are not roadworthy.

"It is this ongoing commitment which has contributed to a drop in the number of fatal collisions and injuries in Wiltshire. My officers know all too well the devastation that a single death on our roads can cause and they will continue to work tirelessly to improve road safety in the county.”