Drivers and bike riders are being urged to take particular care on country roads this bank holiday weekend.
Summer is a peak time for rural road accidents, and many rural road deaths and serious injuries occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, mostly when the weather is fine and the roads are dry .
According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, crashes on rural roads tend to be more serious, even in modern cars, and unfamiliar country roads hold many hidden risks.
The lush grass at this time of year makes it particularly difficult to see round bends so extra care must be taken on corners.
Fair weather biking means that the number of motorcycle crashes also tends to go up in the summer months, with more than three-quarters of motorcycle deaths and injuries happening on dry roads in fine weather.
Weekend riders should be aware that twice as many bikers die on rural roads than on urban roads. There also tends to be more serious or fatal biker casualties at the weekend.
Don’t drink alcohol and drive is the message, or take any non prescription drugs before driving or riding a bike, and do not travel with anyone who does.
