Motorists are being urged to be safe on the roads and slow down.

The warning comes during National Road Safety Week and during lockdown when it is feared drivers may be speeding up.

The first round of Covid-19 restrictions saw an increase in speed nationally.

The road safety team at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attribute this to a number of factors including quieter roads and stressed drivers.

Anticipating a repeat of this trend throughout the second lockdown, the team is asking everyone to embrace Brake’s 2020 Road Safety Week theme of 'No need to speed'.

This is even more vital now that the seasons have changed, the roads are wet and sometimes icy, and the daylight hours are much shorter.

The fire service is working in partnership with several other organisations to support Road Safety Week and will be running three Survive the Drive roadshows for military audiences across the country, as well as hosting a virtual event aimed at businesses interested in commissioning a Safe Drive event for their staff.

The corporate preview will be held on November 19 and details of how to book can be found here: https://www.dwfire.org.uk/safety/road-safety-week/

Road Safety Manager Christine Sharma said: “Alongside our partners, we always take an active part in Brake’s Road Safety Week. This year’s theme is ‘No need to speed’.

“Someone is injured on a UK road every four minutes, and vehicle speed plays a part in every collision. We’re asking everyone to think before they hit the road and help us spread this life-saving message. Everyone has a responsibility for road safety, whether they are a driver or a passenger, and our education programmes are designed to bring that home as effectively as possible.”