Police are clamping down on drunk drivers and boy racers after experiencing an "abnormal spike" in the amount of road deaths during the opening weeks of the year.

The deaths of two pedestrians in separate road accidents in Lancing and Washington on Thursday brought the number of fatalities to ten in the first weeks of 2006.

The day before two men were killed in a crash in Worth Park Avenue, Crawley.

Last year's total road death toll in Sussex reached 114 - six more than in 2004.

Police believe this year's figure could reach 120 if it continues at the present rate.

Superintendent Paul Morrison, Sussex roads policing commander, said: "We're experiencing an abnormal spike in road deaths.

"Normally the first three months after Christmas are the lightest months for fatal accidents.

"But any road death is tragic. One is too many and we are doing our upmost in trying to reduce these fatalities."

This is the second time road deaths have shot up in Sussex at the start of the year, going against the national trend.

Last year, 13 people had died on the roads in the first five weeks of 2005.

Police are now organising Crimestoppers campaigns, urging people who know motorists who are persistently driving over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs, to contact them.

High-profile operations are also underway on the A23, with unmarked cars being used to target bad drivers.

Mr Morrison added: "Anybody who drives on our roads has a social responsibility.

"These things weigh half a tonne, they're not toys and some young lads out there have a total disregard to the dangers they're presenting both for themselves and others.

"The roads of Sussex are no worse than anywhere else in the UK but it's worth remembering that behind every fatal accident statistic there are about two more that could have been fatal."

Witnesses described the scene in Crawley, where the 22-year-old driver of a Vauxhall Vectra and his 26-year-old passenger died after hitting a car and then crashing into a tree, as "horrible".

One said: "I've never seen anything quite like it.

"You couldn't recognise the vehicle."

Police have also arrested the driver of a Ford Fiesta who fled the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident on the A259 at Lancing, on Thursday. A 30-year-old woman later died from her injuries.

Both incidents follow a month of tragedy on Sussex roads.

A man was killed in a crash on West Chiltington Road at Thakeham near Storrington, just 14 hours into the New Year.

Roger Elborough, 65, of Downlands Park, Bramber, near Steyning, died when his Ford Escort estate left the road and collided with a fence and a post at 2pm on New Year's Day.

Just weeks later, teenager Craig Strudwick, 19, of Western Road, Hailsham, died when the Vauxhall Astra he was travelling in left the A22 Hailsham bypass and hit a tree.

The fire service has now launched a road safety campaign to tour Sussex schools, talking to pupils about the horrors they face when arriving at the scene of a fatal accident.

Youngsters will hear from a parent who lost two sons on the road and watch an interview with the survivor of a pile-up.

Firefighters want to show young people they risk their lives driving while distracted by loud music or mobile phones, and that driving too fast or when drunk or on drugs can be fatal.