 ROAD deaths in North Wales increased last year - despite the police war on speeding drivers. Figures released yesteday by the Department of Transport revaled the number of people killed on the region's roads increased from 49 in 2003 to 58 in 2004 - although the overall casualty rate fell by almost 7%. However, on Britain's roads the number of deaths fell to the lowest level since records began in 1926. Campaigners opposed to North Wales Police chief constable Richard Brunstrom's zero tolerance approach to speeding last night claimed the figures showed his blitz was not working. Earlier this year the Daily Post revealed more than 56,247 fixed penalty tickets were handed to motorists in the region 2003/04 - earning £500,000 for Treasury coffers. And earlier this week it was revealed police officers were being awarded "points" for arresting speeding motorists. Clwyd West MP David Jones said yesterday's figures proved the crackdown was not working. He said: "Frankly these figures do not support his thesis. If you look at Durham police their fatalities have gone down from 42 to 32. They do not have any fixed speed cameras." There was however a sharp fall in the total number of injuries on North Wales roads. In 2003, 3,442 people were hurt on the region's roads compared to 3,203 in 2004. The number of people suffering serious injuries also fell from 304 to 280. Geraint Anwyl, head of the force's operational support division, said the number of fatalities in the first six months of this year was 36% down on the same period last year. | 
