Today we reveal yet another cut being made by the county council.

Councillors will today aim to cut £100,000 from its road safety department as it continues to make savings.

Cycle helmet promotions and pedestrian lessons will no longer be funded by County Hall.

Meanwhile, the Yellow Ribbon campaign, which teaches teenagers about danger on the roads, will also be cut.

The need for the courses is somewhat heightened by fresh figures, which we also report today.

The number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads last year rose to 396, the highest since 2003 – when the figure reached 481.

The statistic is an alarming one and highlights the need for this type of education – particularly among young people.

We understand the need to make cuts – the county needs to find £119m of them.

But sometimes, as suggested today, there is a fear of making false economies.

The road safety message has been trotted out in schools for decades, and will no doubt continue.

We feel £100,00 is a relatively small amount of money for the benefits the county council can, and up to now, does, promote.

In this case, we have spoken to families who have been involved in smashes, and charities which strive for improved road safety.

The message is clear: these programmes work.

Now schools will have to foot the bill themselves if they want them in their classrooms.

Cuts are necessary. The current economic climate tells us that much is clear.

Sometimes, though, we wonder if this belt-tightening is a little too tight?