SOME motorcyclists treat the roads as race tracks according to a Dorset Police traffic officer.

Sergeant Joe Pardey spoke out amid calls for riders and drivers to have more respect for each other on the roads.

Although he stressed most riders are law-abiding he urged the minority to "consider their safety and that of others and ride safely."

He added: "With the warmer weather and longer evenings approaching, the volume of traffic increases as everyone travels to enjoy our county.

"I would ask drivers and riders to take extra care. It is all of our responsibility to ensure that we are driving carefully and competently.

"At this time of year we also see an increase in the use of motorcycles on our roads. As vehicle drivers, ensure that you take extra time to look for motorcycles."

A spate of crashes in the last 10 days has seen two people killed and several injured.

On Tuesday last week, drivers were caught in a traffic jam lasting more than an hour when firefighters, police and paramedics were sent to the A31 following a crash between a van and a lorry.

The incident happened shortly after 8am between the Canford Bottom roundabout and Merley. Two men were injured and taken to Poole hospital for treatment.

The road then saw a second crash just minutes later at St Ives, between the Ashley Heath and Woolsbridge roundabouts.

A third crash, on Wednesday afternoon, involving a motorbike and a car, saw the road closed between the Canford Bottom roundabout and Merley.

The motorcyclist was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment and the road was closed for several hours while officers dealt with the scene.

A couple - Barbara and Sid Samways from Blandford - died after a crash on Shaftesbury Road near Compton Abbas airfield on Sunday, April 2. They were travelling on a motorcycle when it collided with a Ford Escort.

Now driving experts and enthusiasts have stepped forward to warn drivers as the weather improves and more motorbikes are on the roads.

Ali Scott, a member of Poole Biker Buddies, said both bikers and car drivers are responsible for driving well.

"We are more vulnerable on a bike. You do take your life into your hands more than when you are in a car. It is good and bad on both sides but we have to have a little bit more respect."

Chris Trunwitt, tutor for the Dorset RoSPA Advanced Riders and Drivers, said he would like to see more motorists improve their driving skills.

"We see accidents every day of the week," he said. "Every car that comes to a junction can be a danger to motorcyclists."

"Car drivers will blame the bikers and bikers will blame the cars but everybody has space on the road."