Lincolnshire Police tells drivers ahead of Christmas: 'Pay more attention, don’t make rash decisions'

A pre-Christmas message for drivers to take care on Lincolnshire's roads is being sent out by police after seven serious collisions so far this month.

The message of "slow down, be considerate" comes from Chief Inspector Pat Coates, of Lincolnshire Police's Specialist Operations unit, after two deaths and five serious injuries across the county in the last 18 days.

On Tuesday, a man in his 30s was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a three-vehicle collision on the A17 at Long Sutton.

Two weeks earlier, a ten-year-old girl was seriously injured following a collision with a car on the A17 at Wigtoft.

Mr Coates said: "So far this year we have seen 48 people die in 45 collisions, while last year, 56 people died in 50 collisions.

"During December we have been called to seven serious collisions which have seen five people seriously injured and two people sadly die.

"I cannot imagine how the families and friends of people who have died or been seriously injured in collisions cope or feel.

"It is never a good time to be involved in a collision, but especially when life is different and difficult enough at the moment.

"My sympathies go to anyone who is grieving."

Mr Coates confirmed that he could not comment on the exact cause of the latest collisions, but poor driving and poor judgement is a common problem for drivers.

Other common factors in collisions include speeding, drink/drug driving, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt, together classed by police as 'The Fatal 4'.

"All of these start with the decision of a driver to take a risk, to drive their car while they are over the limit, to pick up their phone or to accelerate faster than is safe," Mr Coates said.

"Therefore, I am asking all of our drivers and riders to protect their loved ones by driving responsibly.

"We enforce the roads all year, but we especially target drivers who do so under the influence at this time of year.

"In the last three days we have arrested 14 people for drink or drug driving, seven have been charged to court and seven investigations are ongoing.

"My message is this - pay more attention to your driving, do not make rash decisions about overtaking, reduce your speed and do not get behind the wheel when your unfit to drive."