THE next Welsh Government must tackle a “clear and escalating” accidental deaths crisis, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said as it published a raft of recommendations today.

Accidental deaths in Wales are 22 per cent above the British average — having risen by 43 per cent to more than 1,200 per year in the past decade, according to the safety charity.

Today it published its new Stronger, Safer Wales manifesto, urging ministers and Senedd candidates to treat accidental harm with the same seriousness as other major health threats.

RoSPA called for targeted interventions including safer home design standards, mandatory eyesight testing for drivers, improved road marking systems to protect motorcyclists, strengthened product safety enforcement, and mandatory water safety education in schools.

Its research has shown that falls account for 46 per cent of all Welsh non-deliberate fatalities, with people in Wales around 24 per cent more likely to die from these than those elsewhere in Britain.

Fatal poisonings also dominate while rural-road fatalities are 18 per cent higher than the British average.

RoSPA’s chief executive officer Becky Hickman said: “Wales is facing a clear and escalating crisis of accidental deaths, and the evidence shows the situation is worsening year on year.

“Behind every statistic is a life that could have been saved with proven, practical interventions.

“We are calling on the next Welsh government to make accident prevention a national priority, because co-ordinated action will save lives, reduce inequalities and relieve pressure on the NHS.

“Accidents are not inevitable. With strong leadership and consistent standards across Wales, we can significantly reduce preventable harm. Our proposals provide policymakers with clear, workable steps that can be implemented quickly and effectively.”