THERE were a number of crashes on Dorset’s roads yesterday with several people taken to hospital.

It came after temperatures plunged overnight on Sunday resulting in roads turning into ice rinks.

Although it is not known if the weather was the cause of the crashes, motorists have been warned to take care ahead of the winter.

In the first incident yesterday, Dorset Police was called at 7.45am to reports of a single-vehicle collision on the A37, on the north side of the railway bridge near Wrackleford.

Travel Dorset reported that the crash was due to ice on the road.

The incident was later cleared, and the vehicle was recovered.

Shortly afterwards, a person was taken to hospital after their car crashed into bollards in Poundbury.

Dorset Police said they were called at 8.24am to reports of a crash in Middle Farm Way

An onlooker said the crashed car was moved onto the island between Monkey's Jump Roundabout and Sunny Days Nursery.

Police said the local authority was made aware of the incident.

The vehicle, a silver Toyota, was later recovered

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “We sent a land ambulance and a rapid response vehicle.

“One patient was taken to hospital for further treatment.”

In North Dorset, emergency services were called to reports of a crash on the A30 Sherborne Road towards Milborne Port.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “South Western Ambulance Service was called to an incident at 8.24am.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene. One patient was taken to hospital for further treatment.”

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is advising drivers to be extra careful.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “Bad weather can be unpredictable and it’s common to get caught out while on the road.”

The fire service has issued the following information to help drivers in adverse conditions:

  • Slow right down – if visibility is poor or the road is wet or icy, it will take you longer to react to hazards and your speed should be reduced accordingly. If you have a temperature gauge in your vehicle that is showing zero degrees or below, then presume that the roads will be icy.
  • Maintain a safe gap behind the vehicle in front – stopping distances are double in the wet and ten times greater in icy weather. The gap between you and the vehicle in front is your braking space in a crisis.
  • Look out for vulnerable road users – be aware that people on foot, bicycles, motorbikes and horses are harder to spot in adverse weather and in the dark. Drive as though someone could step out in front of you at any time.
  • Look out for signs warning of adverse conditions – including fixed signs, such as those warning of exposure to high winds, and variable message signs on motorways that warn of fog, snow and which may display temporary slower speed limits.
  • Stay in control – avoid harsh braking and acceleration, and carry out manoeuvres slowly and with extra care.
  • Use lights – put lights on in gloomy weather or when visibility is reduced