Dyfed-Powys Police has urged drivers to take extra care on the county’s roads following a spate of road accidents in recent weeks.

Official figures show that between January 1 and August 20 five people died on Carmarthenshire roads out of 26 killed in 22 separate accidents in the force area.

Despite an overall decline in the number of road accidents over the past decade, the latest figures show little change compared to the same period last year when 23 collisions resulted in 27 fatalities.

Of equal concern is the overall number of road collisions in the area so far this year.

Up to August 20, Dyfed-Powys had witnessed 777 road collision casualties compared to 820 in the whole of 2014 and just 742 in 2013.

Between January and June this year there were 265 road collisions in Carmarthenshire.

“A very high number of these accidents could be prevented primarily through driver behaviour,” Supt Huw Meredith, Dyfed-Powys Police’s Head of Specialist Operations, said.

“Unfortunately, we are not seeing any significant reduction in the number of fatal accidents.”

During the past months, Dyfed-Powys Police has taken part in a number of road safety initiatives and some of the statistics to emerge have proved shocking.

During a single two-week period in March, the force took part in the All Wales Seatbelt campaign with 724 drivers stopped for failing to wear a seat in the area – 360 of which were in Carmarthenshire.

Meanwhile, a speeding campaign held between April 13 and April 19, saw 881 drivers reported for speeding – 169 of whom were in Carmarthenshire.

In the All Wales Summer Drink-Drink initiative, 127 were caught driving under the influence of alcohol and another eight arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or prescribed medication.

“Due to the nature of our roads and our rural location we attract a high number of motorcyclists. From March to November our roads policing teams run Operation Darwen most weekends. This includes officers visiting places where riders meet and stop for breaks to speak to them about their bikes, routine maintenance and safe use of the roads. We also encourage riders to take part in BikeSafe events,” said Supt Meredith.

“The aim of Operation Darwen is to save people’s lives and to reduce the number of casualties on our roads so there is also an enforcement part to the operation. This year so far, officers have stopped and spoken with 440 riders. 123 offences have been detected, with one motorcyclist riding at 120mph on the A40 from Llandovery to Brecon. We have also issued 73 warnings to riders.

“We don’t just target motorcyclists, we want all drivers and riders to be safe. In addition to the motorcyclists we stopped 151 other vehicles, detected 122 offences and issued 32 warnings.

“Every fatal collision is a tragic incident and has a massive impact on the families of the deceased and ruins the lives of those involved.

“It is likely that these fatal collisions could be prevented if all road users consider the Fatal Five messages - the five actions that are most likely to cause a fatal road traffic collision.

“Every road user can contribute to making our roads safer by driving or riding their vehicles responsibly, complying with the various road traffic legislation such as speed limits which are there in order to prevent road traffic collisions.

“If individuals choose not to obey the law then Dyfed-Powys Police will take enforcement action in order to influence driver and rider behaviour.”

Fatal Five

• Whist driving “under the influence” of drink or drugs you could kill or seriously injure yourself or others

• Kill your speed and slow down. You’re twice as likely to kill someone you hit at 35mph than you are at 30mph

• A vehicle can become a lethal weapon when driven carelessly

• Belt up, you’re twice as likely to die if you don’t

• Switch off your mobile phone before you drive off and do not use it when driving.