The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has issued a response to the publication of road casualty statistics for the first three months of 2012.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said the fact the number of injuries and deaths among vulnerable road users – including children, cyclists and pedestrians – is "unacceptable".

He commented: "More must be done to get drivers to look out for vulnerable road users. We must have changes to the driving test, greater enforcement and incentives for driver training."

Mr Best added that last year's rise was a warning, but these latest statistics may now indicate the start of a trend if action is not taken to boost road safety and end cuts in budgets for local authorities.

Data from the Department for Transport revealed a 13 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of cyclists killed on the UK's roads, while the number of motorcyclists killed or injured went up by eight per cent.

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Posted by Clare Lafferty