YOUNG male drivers are responsible for more road accidents in Barnsley than any other demographic, a report has revealed.
The number of casualties on Barnsley’s roads has decreased by almost a quarter over the last decade - but there’s still plenty of work to do to reach the council’s target of zero fatalities by 2050.
On Tuesday, councillors will meet to discuss the most recent report at the Overview and Scrutiny committee.
The latest figures show that over a ten-year period - from 2015 to 2024 - the number of casualties on Barnsley’s roads has dropped from 721 to 548, a 24 per cent decrease.
However, the number of people who have been killed or seriously injured (KSI) has risen since last year, from 164 to 171.
The report states that the council’s road safety strategy aims to reach their target of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured by 50 per cent by 2030.
It added: “Barnsley’s Safer Roads Strategy sets ambitious targets to make our roads safer for everyone.
“The strategy aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on Barnsley’s roads by 50 per cent by 2030, with a long-term vision of achieving zero fatalities by 2050.
“Recent performance shows both progress against these targets and ongoing challenges.
“Every life lost is a tragedy, and the council and its partners remain absolutely committed to making Barnsley’s roads safer.
“While fatal collisions decreased, overall KSI figures have risen slightly between 2023 and 2024.
“The strategy focuses on sustained improvement through targeted interventions, partnership working, and community engagement, over a sustained period ensuring that every initiative contributes towards meeting these important safety goals. In this context, when viewed over a ten-year period, all-severity casualties have decreased by 24 per cent.”
The council have implemented a number of strategies - from campaigns to speed indicator devices - to help drive down the number of collisions.
But one demographic is responsible more for crashes than any other.
The report added: “When the casualty data is analysed, a clear demographic emerges as consistently over- represented in the figures: 17-24-year-old male drivers.
“This group accounts for a disproportionately high number of road traffic collisions compared to other age and gender categories in Barnsley.
“In response, our annual programme of activity and intervention is intentionally targeted toward this group, focusing on education, enforcement, and behaviour change initiatives to address the elevated risk and reduce harm.
“Looking ahead, Barnsley’s road safety programme will continue to evolve in response to changing risks, new opportunities, and lessons learned from recent initiatives.
“Future plans focus on expanding successful interventions, strengthening partnerships, and making the best use of available resources.
“At the same time, there are challenges linked to meeting the KSI strategy targets, funding pressures, and the need to engage the community in safer behaviours.
“Addressing these issues will be key to achieving the long-term road safety ambitions.”
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, added: “One life lost on our roads is one too many.
“While Barnsley has seen a 24 per cent reduction in road casualties over the past decade, we are not complacent.
“We remain absolutely committed to making our roads safer for everyone who lives, works, and travels in our borough.
”This progress reflects years of hard work and strong partnership across our borough.
“Through targeted schemes to reduce speeds and improve junction safety, community engagement through school programmes and our ongoing ‘Don’t Drive Daft’ young driver campaign - we’re continuing to embed safer behaviours and raise awareness.”
