The number of elderly people knocked down and killed in road accidents in Glasgow has almost doubled in a year.

Figures from Glasgow City Council show 11 pedestrians over 60 died as a result of road traffic accidents in 2006.

The year before, the total was six. The elderly deaths helped to push the overall death toll from road accidents in the city up to 18 pedestrians from 13 in 2005.

The total number of fatalities including drivers, passengers and cyclists was 27, an increase of 50% from 18.

In a report to councillors, Land Services director Robert Booth, said: "The rise in the number of fatal accidents has been closely monitored with each site being visited in conjunction with the police. The main change in 2006 was due to a rise in the number of elderly pedestrian casualties.

"This group has always been identified as particularly vulnerable and efforts continue to be made to address the issues associated with them."

John Skinner, 74, died after he was struck by a car in Springfield Road, Parkhead, on October 28 last year.

A 91-year-old retired doctor died in hospital after he was struck by a truck in a hotel car park in Glasgow on June 22.

The report showed the overall number of accidents where there was an injury was 1891, down from 1944 the year before. Serious injuries increased from 258 to 280 and fatalities from 18 to 27.

A spokesman for Help the Aged said: "Older people take longer to cross the road and many suffer from vision and hearing problems, so drivers need to take extra care.

"Sometimes there are accidents that are unavoidable for the driver but many involve speeding and blatant disregard for the highway code.

"It is a concern that it has gone up by this amount. We can sympathise with calls for younger drivers to undergo a probationary period before they can drive powerful cars."

The council is planning a campaign to make drivers more aware of the vulnerability of older pedestrians and a questionnaire to understand their needs and specific difficulties faced by older people.

The Scottish Executive set targets of reducing the number of those killed and seriously injured by 2010 by 40% of the 1994-98 average and by 50% for children.

The figures show Glasgow has achieved both targets, with a 50% reduction in all ages and a 62% fall for children.

The breakdown of those killed on Glasgow's roads shows 18 pedestrians, three motor cyclists, three drivers, two passengers and one cyclist.