A PERSON has died on Dorset’s roads once a week on average since the end of August.

Autumn 2017 has seen a grim toll of fatal crashes build up with seven people killed on the roads over the past seven weeks.

In the most recent tragic incident, a 43-year-old Dorchester woman sadly died from her injuries in Dorset County Hospital after the car she was a passenger in was in collision with another car on the A352 at Whitcombe on Monday morning.

Two men were also injured, one seriously.

Police continue to appeal for witnesses to the collision, which happened around 6.25am and involved a red Honda Civic and a silver Peugeot 206.

It came just three days after a 55-year-old Southampton man died following a crash involving his car, a coach and a skip loader on the A31 at the White Post junction near Bere Regis.

On the same day an 85-year-old woman pedestrian died after a collision with a car in Mudeford, Christchurch.

Investigations into the incidents are continuing.

Police have issued a general warning to drivers and motorcyclists to stay safe on the roads.

Official figures for the total amount of people killed on Dorset’s roads so far this year were not available.

Last year 16 people died on the roads, a huge reduction on 2015 when the figure was 28.

The other fatal collisions in the past seven weeks involved a 35-year-old man who died on August 29 when his motorbike was in collision with a car in Parkstone Road, Poole.

On October 3, a 30-year-old cyclist was killed in a hit and run on the A338 Spur Road in east Dorset. A man has been arrested.

On October 6, two people died within hours of one another. An 84-year-old woman died following a collision with a reversing car in West Moors.

And a 17-year-old motorcyclist died in a collision with a van on the A31 near Wimborne.

Issuing a general warning, a Dorset Police spokesman said: “Every serious road traffic collision leaves at least one family devastated.

“Many victims of collisions may also suffer from life-changing injuries which can be very hard for victims and their families.

“Traffic police family liaison officers will continue to support families through difficult times, but the simple fact is that most collisions could be avoided.

“We would ask all motorists to drive with courtesy and patience. Don’t take unnecessary risks or think a collision will never happen to you – it happens to people in all areas of the community.”

Dorset Police say the work of the force’s Roads Policing Team and Serious Collision Investigation Team is imperative to provide answers to those involved and to ultimately improve road safety and prevent collision happening in the first place.

Further information about their work and general advice can be found at dorset.police.uk or on the No Excuse or Dorset Traffic Police Facebook and Twitter account.