The shocking death toll on our county's roads is laid bare today as The Argus publishes a map highlighting the sites of fatal collisions from 2007. Reporter Jess Bauldry spoke to a senior police officer to find out why a new intelligence-led strategy is expected to lead the way in reducing motoring-related deaths.

Drive anywhere in the county and it will not take you long to see a chilling reminder of our dangerous roads.

Whether it is a police appeal for witnesses or wilting flowers left on a bend in memory of a loved one, it should be enough to remind motorists of the risks.

But while the number of people killed has dropped from 99 in 2006 to 64 in 2007, Sussex continues to have the sixth highest number of people killed or seriously injured in the country.

Chief Inspector Mark Trimmer, of Sussex Police's road police unit, said this is set to change as the police target their limited resources at road users rather than the roads themselves.

He said: "In the past we have targeted roads with the highest risk by installing barriers and speed cameras.

"But when you look at the volume of traffic on some of these roads, like the A259 and A23, you can't always blame the road. It's the road users that are the risk.

"Using up-to-date research we are getting a breakdown of the types of motorists likely to be killed or seriously injured on these roads and targeting them."

Chief Insp Trimmer said statistics show motorcyclists in Sussex are the highest risk group while motorists travelling on a Sunday are also at risk.

Research has shown drivers aged 17 to 25 account for a third of all people killed or seriously injured and people who drive to work are 50% more likely to be involved in an accident.

Collisions also appear to be seasonal, with the majority occurring in November and October. With the help of this intelligence, Sussex Police is targeting its resources to create multi-agency approaches, including seasonal campaigns, engineering solutions, educational schemes and enforcement.

Since Sussex Police began encouraging people to report bad driving in 2006 it has had 5,500 responses.

Through its change of tack it hopes to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured by 10% this year.

Chief Insp Trimmer said: "We're hoping for a reduction of 98 to 918 people killed or seriously injured this year.

"We're almost there but a lot will depend on the weather."

The Argus has reported on the devastating consequences of collisions caused by speeding, human error or faulty vehicles.

The tragedy is never more keenly felt than when a young life is lost.

Grace Orssten, from North Chailey, near Lewes, was the youngest victim on our roads last year.

The six-year-old died in a collision on the A272 while she was being driven to school by her childminder.

Teenage motorist Sam Wilkinson died just days after passing his driving test in a collision on the A27.

At the time West Sussex Coroner Roger Stone said the 17-year-old's death should serve as a warning to young drivers to concentrate at all times.

Do you agree with Chief Inspector Trimmer? What do you think could be done to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on Sussex roads? Comment below.