THE number of people killed on Dorset's roads in the first six months of this year has halved compared to the same timeframe in 2017.

Seven people have died in collisions between January and June. Over the first six months of 2017, 14 people lost their lives.

On February 26, a woman in her 80s was fatally injured in a crash in Littlemoor Road, Weymouth.

The woman was struck by a black Ford Fiesta at 10.35am. Her injuries were not initially believed to be life-threatening, but she died in hospital on March 7.

Francesca Lee, who was 23, died on the A30 near Sherborne on March 6. Ms Lee, mum to 17-month-old Alfie, died of multiple injuries when her Honda Civic veered off the A30 between Sherborne and Yeovil.

Days later, on March 11, a 35-year-old Bournemouth woman was killed in a two-car crash in Bere Regis.

She was behind the wheel of a silver Vauxhall Astra when the vehicle was involved in a collision with a silver Peugeot people carrier on the A35. Five people were also seriously injured.

Jaiden Mangan, three, died in a collision in North Street, Wareham on March 29. The tot suffered multiple chest and abdominal injuries in the crash, which happened on a pedestrian crossing shortly before 8.45am.

The driver of a Sainsbury's lorry, a 43-year-old man from Basingstoke, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was released under investigation and enquiries continue.

There were no fatalities in April or May. However, June saw three fatal collisions. On the first day of the month, a 54-year-old man died in Whatcombe Lane, Winterborne Whitchurch, near Blandford, after a burning van was spotted in a field. Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the crash shortly before 5.45pm.

The following day, a 44-year-old biker from Exeter was killed when his motorcycle was involved in a collision at Dragons Hill, Lyme Regis.

Rowan Lloyd, 14, died following a crash in Portland Road, Weymouth on June 6. The schoolboy was riding his bicycle when he was in a collision with a white Mercedes articulated lorry.

Over the course of 2017, a total of 33 people died. Graham Hibbs, 67, died when his white Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a Renault Clio in Victoria Road, Ferndown on January 28.

On December 27, Erika Prisacaru, who lived in Dorchester with her six-year-old son Andrei, was killed during an alleged hit and run in The Grove. Andrei is being cared for by relatives.

A police spokesperson said: "Every serious road traffic collision leaves at least one family devastated.

“Many victims of collisions may also suffer from life-changing injuries which can be very hard for victims and their families.

“Traffic police family liaison officers will continue to support families through difficult times, but the simple fact is that most collisions could be avoided.

“We would ask all motorists to drive with courtesy and patience. Don’t take unnecessary risks or think a collision will never happen to you – it happens to people in all areas of the community.”