The Moray region has been named one of the UK’s worst blackspots for fatal and serious accidents.
New figures have revealed the area is in the top 10% of parliamentary constituencies for road accidents which lead to death or serious injuries.
The rate of the most serious crashes is one-third (34%) higher than the UK national average.
A combination of higher speeds and rural roads with fewer safety measures are though have contributed to the figures.
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Road Safety (PACTS) found that car accidents in Moray were most likely to happen on a Friday, when almost a fifth of collisions take place.
Accidents are most frequently recorded between 11am and noon.
Last night, Moray’s MP Angus Robertson urged people to be aware of road safety in the region following the publication of the report.
While serious accidents have reduced in recent years, the parliamentarian said “any road death is one too many”.
Mr Robertson said: “Sadly, most people will know of someone who has been killed or seriously injured in a car accident.
“In recent years the work of the police and road safety campaigners, combined with safer vehicles, has resulted in a big drop in fatal and serious road collisions but there are still too many such incidents and any road death is one too many.”
Motorcyclists made up 20% of the total of the killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties on Moray roads.
In May last year, a series of bike accidents across the north-east left one person dead and six seriously injured, prompting safety warnings from police.
With the Easter holidays approaching, Mr Robertson highlighted the “disproportionately large number” of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on the region’s road.
“As the warmer weather approaches many motorcycle enthusiasts will also be heading out on Moray’s roads,” he added.
“While the majority are careful riders, motorcyclists still make up a disproportionately large number of those involved in serious accidents.
“I would urge people to think ahead on our roads, particularly in more challenging weather and on our rural roads which are busier from spring through to autumn and present particular challenges.
“Combined with the ongoing efforts of the police, we can make our roads safer still with good awareness and consideration of other road users.”
Just over a week ago, retired farmer Patrick Pirie was killed and two men were injured in a three-car smash on the A920 Dufftown-Huntly road.
Mr Pirie’s car was involved in the collision on March 9.
In December, a cyclist suffered serious head injuries after a collision with a lorry near Buckie, and, following a car crash on the A941 Elgin to Colburn road in September last year which left two people in hospital, community leaders spoke of their ongoing safety concerns.