PROGRESS is being made to make Wiltshire roads a safer place to drive, according to the county's traffic department.

The latest batch of government statistics show there were 49 fatalities on Wiltshire roads last year, six more than 2002, but police insist they are still in line to meet long-term targets.

The statistics, produced by the Department of Transport, also show the number of deaths rose nationally by two per cent from 3,431 in 2002 to 3,508 in 2003.

In the last few months there have been an alarming number of deaths on Wiltshire's roads suggesting last year's trend could continue.

Sgt Dave Melvin, the force road safety officer for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: "Recently we have experienced an increase in road deaths which has been disappointing.

"It should however, be remembered that casualty targets for our partners and ourselves are measured in line with national performance over a 10-year period.

"We and our partners have a good long-term record but inevitably given the very nature of road collisions there will be fluctuations either way from time to time."

Recent figures have also shown speed cameras help to reduce the casualty rate.

Mobile speed cameras are now operating in Wiltshire Drive, Trowbridge, the B3106 at Hilperton and on the A3601, at the bottom of Caen hill.