MORE THAN one person a day has been killed or seriously injured in car crashes on Dorset roads in the last year.

Figures obtained by the Echo reveal that although the total number of reported collisions has fallen over the past five years, the number of casualties who suffered serious injuries or were killed in road traffic collisions has reached a record high.

A total of 392 either died or suffered serious injuries as a result of road accidents in the last year - more than one a day for each day of the year.

The new figures come after four people died in accidents on the A37 in West Dorset earlier this year.

As reported in the Echo, a group of residents met with West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin in a bid to get safety on the road reviewed, particularly at Holywell Cross.

There have now been renewed calls for drivers to take more care to try and help reduce the number of accidents.

The figures from Dorset Police show that from May 1, 2014 to April this year, the total number of collisions was 4,278, with 2,759 casualties. Of those casualties, 392 were seriously injured or killed.

Dorset Police are continuing to crack down on motorists flouting the law as officers enforce the No Excuse campaign. This is when traffic officers look for people committing the fatal five offences of speeding, drink driving, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt and careless driving.

They have also recently launched their annual summer crackdown on drink and drug drivers, charging eight people so far. Stuart Pitman, head of No Excuse, said: “We have seen a steady rise in KSI casualties over the last five years, which is in line with the national picture.

“However, Dorset Police are committed to addressing this through the various avenues including enforcement, education, advertising campaigns and roadside advice.

“As a direct response to this rising trend of KSI casualties the full-time No Excuse team has been created. Whilst I am pleased to see the overall number of collisions has remained stable, considering the rising traffic levels on our roads I, together with my colleagues at Dorset Roadsafe, am striving to reduce this number.

“Every single collision, however serious, can have an adverse affect on people's lives and can inconvenience the public at large, even when a main route in Dorset is closed for a short period of time the knock-on effect can be immense. It will take time to change driving behaviour which is what the No Excuse team is committed in doing, together with our colleagues.”

As reported in the Echo, work is beginning this summer on a new interactive centre - Roadwise, Weymouth - which aims to educate drivers of all ages and reduce the number of collisions on our roads.

Sarah-Jane Martin, spokesman for road safety charity Brake, said: “It’s worrying that although the number of crashes are reducing, the severity of the crashes is increasing. There are a number of reasons behind this increase, speed being a principal factor."

“Five people are killed every day on UK roads. This should cause the new government to prioritise road safety and invest, not cut, road traffic police.

“All drivers have a responsibility to do everything they can to prevent death and injury on the roads.”