MOTORISTS are being urged to take extra care following a spate of recent collisions, and as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Roads policing officers in Sussex are appealing to all drivers to take care and to look out for others.

The force has issued the warning after several accidents, with many involving motorcyclists.

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With spring on the way, the clocks moving forward next weekend and some lockdown restrictions being eased, police are asking road users to concentrate at all times on their own driving and everyone else around them.

Sergeant Huw Watts from the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit said: "There has been less traffic on the road in recent months due to the lockdown and chances are that people will be taking to the roads again a little rusty in their driving skills.

"This means that is essential to pay 100 per cent attention.

"We continue in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic and it is in all our interests to ease the strain on our emergency services, especially the NHS, by reducing the chances of road traffic collisions that may impact on those services.

"Of course people will want to be out and about again, but this must not be until restrictions allow it and once they do, we need people to be careful, considerate and drive within the law."

Currently, drivers should only be on the road for essential journeys.

These include for purposes of work, volunteering, education and childcare, and providing care to others, as well as to buy essential items such as food and medicine.

Sgt Watts added: "We continue to work with partners, including the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) to provide education and enforcement, predominantly to reduce injuries and save lives.

"However, speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt and careless driving make up the ‘fatal five’ – the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions.

"We will deal robustly with those who choose to offend and pose a threat and a danger to themselves and others."