ROAD safety looks to be improving in Fife with the "lowest ever recorded" number of crashes and casualties in 2019.

Police Scotland figures show there were 15 fatal incidents last year, with 128 people suffering serious injuries and 277 walking away with minor injuries.

A Fife Council report by Ken Gourlay, head of assets, transportation and environment, said: "The total numbers for both crashes and casualties in 2019 are the lowest ever recorded.

"The overall numbers of casualties show a long-term reducing trend, albeit with the relatively small numbers in each category not always reducing year on year.

"Comparing 2019 with 2018, the number of fatalities increased to 15 from 10 and serious injuries to 128 from 97 but slight injuries reduced to 277 from 323, giving a total for 2019 slightly below that recorded in 2018."

The number of casualties in 2018 was 430, it dropped to 420 last year, and councillors at the economy, tourism, strategic planning and transportation sub committee were told this was "a record low figure and a good achievement".

The fatalities in Fife last year included Dave McArthur, 43, from Lochgelly, who was hit by a van near the Tesco store in Cardenden in November while out shopping with his mum.

And Shaun Smith, a 27-year-old man from Glenrothes, died in May 2019 after his car hit a tree on the B922 between Kinglassie and Cluny.

The report also included the cost of crashes in Fife, with the total put at more than £62.7 million, compared to just over £45.4m in 2018.