Police in Dorset are stepping up efforts to reduce road collisions as part of a national summer campaign.
With more visitors expected over the coming weeks, Dorset Police say the number of vehicles on local roads is likely to increase, along with the risk to more vulnerable road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.
Officers will focus on what they call the ‘fatal five’ – the five leading causes of serious and fatal crashes in Dorset: speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driver distraction including mobile phone use, and dangerous or careless driving.
In July last year, 28 people were killed or seriously injured on Dorset’s roads and a further 96 suffered minor injuries.
The Roads Policing Team will combine enforcement with education, encouraging drivers to take greater care behind the wheel and think about their behaviour.
Inspector Alex Green said many of these collisions are completely avoidable and that “everyone has a responsibility to be safe and vigilant when operating a vehicle”.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick backed the campaign, saying proactive work like this is essential to keeping road users safe during the busy summer period.