FIGURES have revealed that the death toll on Hampshire and Isle of Wight roads has rocketed by nearly 50 per cent.

Between January 1, 2002 and August 31, 2002 there were 52 fatal collisions but between the same dates this year there has been 75.

Now police are urging motorists to take more care on the roads.

Casualty Reduction Manager Sergeant Kory Thorne said: "It is disappointing to see that the number of fatal collisions is not falling as so much grief and heartache is caused by these incidents.

"This year we have seen an increase in motorcycle fatalities, rising from nine in 2002 to 20 this year. As a result of this Hampshire Constabulary has appointed a full-time bike safety officer to develop a strategy to reverse this trend and we would ask the public to take more care on the roads."

On the bright side there has been a fall in the number of serious injury accidents.

Sergeant Thorne said: "How-ever, we are reassured to see that the number of serious injury collisions is declining and we are especially pleased that fewer children are being injured in road collisions."

An analysis of the collisions has revealed that about 10 per cent involved drink and drug driving and 75 per cent were caused by factors such as excessive or inappropriate speed and lack of observation.