CHESHIRE Police are urging motorists to drive more carefully after a spike in road deaths on the county's road.

The number of people who have lost their lives on Cheshire's roads in the four months between June and September this year has doubled in comparison to the same period in 2019 (from seven to 14).

Police want people to drive to the condition of the road as the winter months loom ahead.

In recent years police have found that many collisions occur as a result of someone committing one of the 'Fatal 5' offences - careless driving, speeding, drink/drug driving, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Inspector for Cheshire Police's Serious and complex collision investigation Unit, Steve Griffiths, said: "This time of year we usually see an increase in the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads. Winter months can present some challenging driving conditions.

"We want road users to be able to use the roads safely and prevent any further tragic collisions from occurring. Think before you overtake and make sure it is safe to do so, concentrate when pulling out of a junction, look out for cyclists and motorcyclists, leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front and drive appropriately for the road and weather conditions.

"We spend a considerable amount of time educating road users and we explain the consequences that one reckless decision on our roads can have. Now, more than ever, road users need to take note.

"Officers are out policing the roads 24 hours of the day 365 days of the year, and they will stop anyone they believe to be committing one of the 'Fatal 5' offences.

"We also actively encourage members of the public to submit dashcam footage and act on this information even after an incident may have occurred. We do not do this for the sake of it, we do it to save lives."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, David Keane, said: "There have been too many tragic deaths and serious injuries sustained on Cheshire's roads over the last four months and I am urging the public to listen to the advice given by police and drive carefully."