An extra £1.5 million, has been announced by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, is from the Department of Transport for a three-year Rural Demonstration Project. Norfolk is one of four authorities taking part around the country – including neighbouring Lincolnshire.

"Three-quarters of all accidents which leave people killed or seriously injured, now happen on our rural network.

Another striking figure is that 40 per cent of the people killed on Norfolk's roads do so on county A-roads," said Adrian Gunson, county cabinet member for planning and transportation.

"This extra funding will enable us to find out whether there are common factors that contribute to these startling figures, and to try new measures to reduce accidents and casualties," he added.

In announcing the project, Mr Fitzpatrick said: "Norfolk County Council is a leading local authority for road safety and I look forward to the council working with the Department of Transport on this new project to improve safety on its rural roads."