THE British Red Cross is calling for learner drivers to be taught first aid after worrying accident figures were released for Buckinghamshire.

More than 4,100 people were injured and 45 people were killed in road traffic accidents in 1999 in Bucks and in Britain as a whole ten people were killed every day.

Liz Page, Red Cross regional director, said: "Basic first aid skills, which could be learned in just ten minutes, could save more than 200 victims of accidents in the region each year and well over 1,100 nationally."

The report Road Accidents and First Aid, released during the Red Cross's annual collection last week, forms part of the charirty's ongoing work in disaster preparedness and emergency response.

It said that a third of pre-hospital deaths can be prevented just by unblocking a casualty's airway.

This is a simple first aid technique that takes minutes to learn, according to expert medical opinion in the report.

Liz added: "Something as simple as introducing basic first aid training for learner drivers would significantly reduce the deaths and injuries from road accidents."