THE number of people who died on Gwent's roads almost doubled last year by comparison with the year before, a top police officer says.

Traffic collisions resulted in 32 deaths in the area last year, compared to 17 in 2006. There were 26 fatal collisions.

Chief Inspector John Pavett of Gwent Police said he was "very disappointed and concerned" about the increase, following three previous years of steady decline in fatalities.

He promised the force's road policing unit would press ahead with initiatives designed to tackle the rising death toll.

The substantial increase was partly due to two horrific crashes occurring last year which claimed the lives of eight people.

These were the collision a year ago on the A467 near Crumlin, which killed three members of the same family, and the M4 crash in September in which five people died.

Newport was the worst of the five local authority areas in Gwent, with 11 fatal collisions - including four on the M4 - out of a total of 26. Caerphilly came second with seven fatal collisions.

Ch Insp Pavett identified the following factors as common causes in a number of fatal collisions last year:

  • Driver error
  • Driving under the influence of drink or drugs
  • Not wearing a seatbelt
  • Driving while unlicensed or disqualified
  • Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone

"These are all issues we could do something about," Chief Insp Pavett said.

"There are accidents caused by awful weather conditions where it can be difficult to avoid, such as people being taken ill at the wheel or awful weather conditions.

"But we can actively improve driver behaviour and try to get rid of the menace of drink or drug drivers on the road."

The road policing unit will roll out educational campaigns aimed at tackling all of the above offences at schools and colleges, in partnership with agencies such as local authorities and Capita Symonds road safety team.

There will also be a safe motorcycling initiative designed to tackle the problem of irresponsible driving by bikers.

The deaths often leave an indelible scar on communities, especially the victims are young.

"People talk about 32 victims but in reality it's more correct to say there were more like 300," said Ch Insp Pavett.

"There are probably ten loved ones for each person killed who may never get over the loss of their relative.

"The impact on communities has been devastating, particularly in Ebbw Vale, which has lost numerous people in the last two years, including four girls in the Garnlydan crash in 2006."

Road deaths in Gwent 2007 - 32 2006 - 17 2005 - 29 2004 - 39 2003 - 20 Fatal crashes in 2007 Newport - city - 7 Newport - M4 - 4 Caerphilly - 7 Blaenau Gwent -3 Torfaen - 3 Monmouthshire - 2 TOTAL: 26