A MAJOR drive is underway to improve safety on the region's roads – and provide more support to crash victims and their families.

West Yorkshire's mayor, Tracy Brabin, says the issue remains a high priority, and is being backed up by funding.

Amongst those receiving cash is the charity Brake, which helps families of road accident victims and campaigns for improved safety.

Over £20,000 is being used on initiatives including information packs, which are distributed to support people affected by incidents on the roads.

Ms Brabin says road safety is a major concern for many residents.

She adds: "Each and every road death is a tragedy, and we are working with partners to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

"Global Road Safety Week was marked recently, and I’m urging everybody to consider how they can be safer when travelling around our wonderful region.

"We're committed to a 'Vision Zero' ambition in West Yorkshire, with the aim of eliminating all road deaths and serious injuries by 2040, working across all five districts."

Brake says it welcomes the commitment, and pledges to continue its work.

"Our amazing team of caseworkers is there to provide road victims with practical and emotional support to help them navigate the many challenges they face following trauma," said a spokesperson.

"In West Yorkshire we are proud to be included in Vision Zero consultations, representing post-crash support. Our team has supported 40 families across the region in the last 12 months, following road death and injury.

"We are grateful for the mayor’s commitment to achieving safer roads and high standards of post-crash support, through this funding, and we will continue to campaign until the roads are safe for everyone."

Inspector Claire Patterson, head of roads policing at West Yorkshire Police, says: "Our officers unfortunately have to deal with the aftermath of road traffic collisions on a daily basis. They see the real-life impact on offenders, victims and their families when road users are seriously injured as a result of people driving dangerously.

"We are committed through education and enforcement to make the roads of West Yorkshire safer by working with our communities and in partnership with local authorities and other organisations.

"Other ongoing work includes the targeting of the anti-social use of motorbikes, with over £500,000 also given to local authorities for road safety operations tackling uninsured drivers, drink and drug driving and removing unroadworthy vehicles."