DORSET’S top traffic cop is calling on motorists to pay attention as the number of people killed on the county’s roads this year reaches 14.

Those killed in road collisions this year include 19-year-old passenger Mikey Maguire, from Upton; experienced biker Derek Collings, 64 and from Bournemouth; teenager Jade Clark; headteacher Ally Mullany; motorcyclist Daniel Jones, 23; and Sophie Crew, 23 from Wareham, who died on June 11 when her Mini was in collision with a school coach carrying pupils to Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne.

Last year the death toll reached 25.

Inspector Matt Butler said investigations are being carried out into all the fatal road collisions this year.

“It is very sad because the hard fact is this isn’t just about statistics,” he said.

“These are families that have been destroyed and most of the time they don’t have to be.”

Speaking on the general issue of responsible driving in Dorset, Insp Butler reminded motorists to make sure they pay attention behind the wheel.

“I would urge people to give themselves time to react to the unexpected. If you are driving too close, you haven’t got time to react. If you are using your mobile phone, you are distracted and haven’t given yourself time to react.

“If you are going too fast and something unexpected happens in front of you, you are not going to be able to react in time.”

He also urged motorists to make sure they take care to look stop and look properly at junctions before they pull out.

Insp Butler added: “When people are driving they are in their comfort zone because it is something we all do every day.”

The force recently began its summer drink drive campaign and Insp Butler warned motorists they will find themselves in court if they are caught driving while under the influence of alcohol.

“Drink driving kills. It’s as simple as that and as a senior investigating officer of a number of years and I have dealt with more road deaths than I care to remember caused by drink driving,” he added.