The number of car passengers killed or seriously injured in accidents has almost doubled during the past year.
A rise in the volume of traffic is blamed for the worrying increase in passenger deaths and other casualties.
Statistics published by West Sussex County Council show that in 2001, the number of people killed on the county's roads rose by 68 per cent to a total of 59 and those seriously injured increased by 11 per cent to 534.
Lieutenant Colonel Tex Pemberton, cabinet member for the council's strategic environmental services, said: "The rise in the number of people killed is alarming but we have to take into account the comparable figure for 2000 was the lowest recorded over the last two decades.
"The number of child pedestrian and cycle casualties is also of major concern as children represent more than 30 per cent of pedestrian casualties and more than 20 per cent of cycle casualties."
The statistics have been reported in a leaflet entitled Casualties in West Sussex 2001. They show that most accidents occur on built-up roads where the speed limit is 40mph or less.
The leaflet is available from West Sussex libraries, district and county help points and on the council's web site at www.westsussex.
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