A ROAD in the region is among the most accident-prone in the country, according to the AA Motorist Trust.

The A59, between Skipton and Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is among the top ten most dangerous routes in Britain, based on the figures for the period 2001 to 2003.

And across the country, deaths of motorcyclists on rural roads is undermining road safety improvements.

However, the risk of death or injury on British roads is far less than in most of Europe - and, overall, they are becoming safer.

Using accident data from 850 main roads, the report also shows that 200 lives could be saved annually if roads with an above-average risk rate were improved to just the average safety rating.

Trust director Bert Morris said: "We now know the roads where deaths and serious injuries are routine and predictable.

"Our analysis highlights where resources can be targeted to save most lives."

He went on: "The identification of the relative dangers of British roads has yet to provoke a major public response.

"There would be an outcry if similar league tables were published about the relative safety of different stretches of railway, even though rail death and injury rates are far lower than on roads."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "The safety performance of the strategic road network continues to improve markedly ahead of the continuing growth in road transport and we are on track to achieve the Government's targets for improvement.

"UK roads are among the safest in the world - achieved through continual work in all areas of road safety."