Plea from police after 17 serious collisions

Ch Insp Simon Jenkinson said each collision was a tragedy

Devon and Cornwall Police has issued a plea to road users after a series of serious collisions in the South West.

Between 1 April and 6 May, the police said they had attended 17 serious crashes.

A total of nine people have died, and nine have been seriously injured.

Ch Insp Simon Jenkinson, from Devon and Cornwall Police's Roads Policing Team, said: "Whether you are driving, riding or walking, please take extra care when out on our roads."

He added: “I’m urging all motorists – living locally or visiting on holiday – to adjust their driving in accordance with the road conditions; stick to a safe speed and take extra time to look out for other road users.

“The past few weeks have been truly tragic and the last thing our officers want to do is knock on any more doors to tell someone a loved one isn’t coming home."

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is also chair of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

She said: "All road users can play a part in creating a safer road network and, for the sakes of our families and friends, we all have an interest in doing so.

"For this reason, I would appeal to all road users to take extra care, leave more time for journeys and be particularly aware of those most vulnerable on our roads such as cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians and motorcyclists."