GOVERNMENT funding cuts are hampering efforts to further reduce the number of people killed or injured on North Yorkshire's roads.

While the numbers dropped last year, safety campaigners say they need more help to publicise their work.

Up to the end of December last year 45 people died, compared to 51 in 2013.

Motorcycle deaths were down from 16 to 14. Deaths of older drivers were down from 11 to eight and pedestrians from seven to five. However, the figures were still higher than in 2012 when there was a record low of 31 deaths.

North Yorkshire County Council has reduced its budgets by £94m already with a further £70m worth of cuts to come.

A report on casualty levels and the latest moves to reduce deaths and injuries will be considered by North Yorkshire county councillors this week.

The report's author Honour Byford said there was concern that additional cuts could threaten work in schools and with younger and older drivers, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists.

Ms Byford said: “The continuing Government funding cuts are placing great pressure onto the delivery of these preventative measures such as working with young drivers to increase their ability to avoid risky situations and thus reduce the numbers who crash within the first six to 12 months of passing their test.

“The council and 95 Alive Partnership education programmes have contributed strongly to the significant reductions of collisions and casualties in North Yorkshire during recent years, clearly evidenced by the strong reduction during 2007-2010 which was significantly greater than in comparable areas during that same period.

“A review of road safety core activity has been carried out and officers are now exploring the potential for alternative funding mechanisms for delivery of the most effective and key priority programmes."

Bids are being made to public health, the police and other 95 Alive partner organisations.