Dorset Police are urging motorists to drive safely and make good decisions every time they get behind the wheel, as officers continue to attend fatal and serious road traffic collisions across the county.
The main causes of deaths on Dorset’s roads are known as the “Fatal Five” – five key behaviours that consistently lead to the most serious and tragic outcomes. Each one is the result of a driver’s own judgement while in control of a vehicle, and all are entirely preventable.
Below are the five biggest reasons people lose their lives on Dorset’s roads.
1. Drink and Drug Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly reduces reaction times, judgement and awareness. Even small amounts can impair a driver’s ability to respond to hazards. Dorset Police repeatedly see devastating consequences when drivers choose to drive while impaired, putting themselves, their passengers and other road users at extreme risk.
2. Excessive or Inappropriate Speed
Speed remains one of the biggest killers on the roads. Driving too fast for the conditions – even if within the posted speed limit – reduces the time available to react and greatly increases the severity of any collision. Speeding turns minor mistakes into fatal incidents and leaves no margin for error.
3. Not Wearing a Seatbelt
Seatbelts save lives. Failing to wear one dramatically increases the risk of serious injury or death in a collision. Despite this, people continue to make the fatal mistake of not buckling up, often for short or familiar journeys. A seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective safety measures available.
4. Driver Distractions, Including Mobile Phones
Using a mobile phone while driving diverts attention away from the road and slows reaction times. Distractions such as texting, scrolling, or even hands-free calls can be enough to miss a critical hazard. Dorset Police warn that taking eyes and focus off the road for just seconds can have irreversible consequences.
5. Dangerous or Careless Driving
Poor decision-making, rushed manoeuvres and a lack of consideration for other road users all contribute to serious collisions. Dangerous or careless driving often involves a combination of impatience, overconfidence and failure to anticipate risks – factors that can quickly turn deadly.
A Call for Safer Choices
Dorset Police are reminding motorists that every journey comes with responsibility. Drivers are urged to:
- Take time to perform safe manoeuvres
- Avoid distractions such as mobile phones
- Always wear a seatbelt
- Keep within speed limits and drive to conditions
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Inspector Lee Turner, of the Roads Policing Team, said:
“Our roads policing officers have attended a number of fatal and serious road traffic collisions recently and the thoughts of everyone at Dorset Police remain with those very sadly affected.
“There is a minority of people who believe a collision won’t happen to them and that they are invincible. We need everyone to have the mindset of thinking safety first when travelling in a vehicle – every driver out on the roads is responsible for not only their vehicle and themselves, but also their passengers and all other road users.”
As the county approaches busy periods such as the festive season, police warn that a single poor decision made in a split second can have catastrophic and lifelong consequences.
“Do not get behind the wheel unless you are confident you can drive safely and not put any other road users at risk,” Inspector Turner added. “Everybody has a responsibility to be vigilant when operating a vehicle of any kind.”
Dorset Police continue to work tirelessly to investigate collisions and reduce harm on the roads, but they stress that real change depends on drivers making safer choices every day.
