Cambridgeshire’s police and crime commissioner is hoping to reduce the number of collisions on Cambridgeshire’s roads by funding a new police casualty reduction officer post.

According to the commissioner, the new officer will work in partnership with other agencies and the public to help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured as a result of collisions.

Figures released by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership revealed that there were 352 people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads in 2015, with 396 victims in 2014.

Using Department for Transport Figures, the partnership said that preventing every accident on the county’s roads in 2015 would have saved £164million in time, resource, and subsequent use of public services.

Commissioner Jason Ablewhite said: “Every death and life changing injury which happens as a result of a road collision on a Cambridgeshire road is one too many. Whatever the cause, these incidents have devastating consequences for the victims and their friends and families, and the community.

“The social and economic cost of road collisions is felt by a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies, not just the emergency services immediately involved, but those in the health-care system who are responsible for helping people recover. This new role provides an important resource to help educate people about keeping safe on our roads.”

The casualty reduction officer will lead campaigns such the police’s drink drive initiatives. The officer will also work with partner agencies to influence the way people behave when they drive, cycle or walk near roads.

Chief Constable Alec Wood added: “Enforcement activity alone will not reduce fatal and serious collisions and it is vital we also focus our work on preventing them from happening in the first place.

“This role will form an important part of that work to change driver behaviour and save lives.”

The new officer is likely to be in post in the spring.