THE number of people who died in road accidents in north Essex rose sharply in 2008.

In the last 12 months, Stanway traffic police investigated 22 deaths in their division, which covers Colchester and Tendring as well as a stretch of the A12 at Witham and Kelvedon.

In 2007, the unit dealt with 13 road deaths involving vehicles.

Across the county as a whole there were fewer deaths in 2008. A total of 75 people died, compared with 83 in 2007. The motorcycle death toll fell to 17, down from 27.

Insp Steve Brewer, who is based at Stanway, said he could not pinpoint why there had been a rise in the north of the county, but pointed out that the death toll was still lower than earlier in the 2000s.

“This year, nothing has changed in this area whatsoever,” he said.

“We have the same number of people patrolling, our sergeants haven’t changed, and I’m still here.

“The figures will show that the number of people with serious injuries has dropped, and I think this is down to increased activity on major routes like the A12.

“If everyone made a promise in 2008 to drive a little slower, pay a bit more attention, not use mobile phones, then it would undoubtedly have an impact,” he said.