ROAD casualties in East Ayrshire have fallen to their lowest levels in 10 years, according to a new report.

The report, released by Transport Scotland shows that there were 208 casualties recorded after 163 accidents on roads across the county.

Fifteen of those casualties were children, with four adults killed and 28 classed as seriously injured.

Across Scotland, there were 11,498 overall casualties in 2013 - the lowest since 1950 - with the national road death figures falling by 10 per cent on the previous year.

A spokesperson for the Ayrshire Roads Alliance said: “We have a statutory obligation to introduce initiatives designed to promote road safety and reduce road deaths and casualties.

“To meet this obligation, we have introduced a number of engineering schemes and projects supported by education and publicity measures.

“The Road Safety Plan sets out the measures which we, in partnership with Police Scotland and other agencies, are taking to reduce the number of road accidents in the area.” Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, head of road policing, said: “In the main, it is heartening to see such significant reductions in statistics, but it is important to recognise the personal tragedy that lies behind the numbers. There is still a lot of work to be done.

“Our communities continue to raise road safety and speeding as issues of concern and reducing road casualties and fatalities remains one of Police Scotland’s top policing priorities.” A Transport Scotland spokesman added: “We would strongly reiterate what we have said previously - every life lost is one too many.

“Working with our partners we must continue to ensure that everyone plays their part to make our roads safer. We have achieved a lot, but there is still much to do particularly in respect of safety issues for vulnerable road users.

“We are taking forward a raft of measures alongside our road safety partners, including high-profile publicity campaigns to promote safer driving and highlight the dangers of risk-taking on our roads.”