POLICE are urging motorists to make safer decisions on the roads as officers respond to several fatal and serious collisions across the county.

The force has highlighted what it describes as the “fatal five” – the main factors contributing to deaths on Dorset’s roads.

These are drink and drug driving, excessive or inappropriate speed, not wearing a seatbelt, driver distractions such as using a mobile phone and dangerous or careless driving.

Police say each of these is the result of a driver’s own judgement while in control of a vehicle.

Inspector Lee Turner, of the roads policing team, said: “Our roads policing officers have attended a number of fatal and serious road traffic collisions recently and the thoughts of everyone at Dorset Police remain with those very sadly affected.

“The teams are working hard to investigate these road traffic collisions and identify the full circumstances of each incident.”

He added that while officers are focusing their efforts on enforcement and investigations, the public also has a crucial role to play.

“There is a minority of people who believe a collision won’t happen to them and that they are invincible,” he said, urging drivers to adopt a “safety first” mindset.

With the final weekend before Christmas approaching, Inspector Turner warned that increased socialising and travel could raise risks on the roads.

He added: “We are urging all drivers to make good decisions – a poor choice made in a split second can have catastrophic consequences that can impact many families.”