MOTORISTS are being warned to keep their eyes on the road after a rise in the number of accidents caused by poor driver concentration.

A total of 155 road collisions have been recorded in Dorset already this year - two were fatal, eight involved serious injury, 63 slight injury and the rest non-injury.

The overall number is about the same as last year, but police say there is a significant rise in the proportion of total crashes due to lack of driver concentration. Officers say they have also noticed an increase in inquiries about accidents involving minor damage to vehicles, which are not recorded.

Police are appealing to drivers to take more care and not allow themselves to be distracted from the road, particularly in poor weather conditions.

Sergeant Steve Quill of Dorset road police unit said: "There is not an overall increase, but we are concerned about the number of accidents where drivers are not concentrating.

"The police are doing everything we can to reduce accidents, but there is only so much we can do on our own. Drivers have to take responsibility for their actions and concentrate on what they are doing. Motorists should remember to focus on their driving, not to use phones and not be distracted by the radio.

"People driving too fast for the weather conditions, the road layout or the prevailing traffic conditions are all contributing to the number of accidents.

"Drivers should make sure they leave enough of a gap from the vehicle in front - this is their safety margin."

The new figures for road traffic accidents were unveiled just after Dorset Police revealed an increase the number of people caught drinking and driving.

Police tested 1,359 drivers over Christmas and New Year and 140 failed - an increase of 30 per cent on last year. Alcohol was thought to be a factor in 22 accidents where people were injured.