Northern Constabulary, which covers the Highlands and as far north as the Shetlands, is hoping to cut down speeding and drink driving and increase seat belt wearing.

For the first time, the force decided to try to hammer home its message by inviting journalists to the post-mortem examination room at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Road safety officer Laura Fisher explained why such a sensitive setting had been chosen: "When you leave home on a Monday morning your mind is often full of that week's plans.

"If you drive in this area and don't follow the rules of the road your plans won't be worth anything.

"The chances are that you'll end up here.

Death knock

"If you're lucky you'll be in hospital, but if you're unlucky you'll have a room without a view - here in the post-mortem room."

Inspector Charlie Gillies said that by far the worst job for any police officer was to knock on a door and tell someone of a loved-one's death.

He added: "Over the years we have had a softly-softly approach in terms of road safety campaigns and unfortunately no-one has listened.

Tools of the pathologist's trade

"If they don't listen to the softly-softly approach then we decided we would have to use hard-hitting tactics.

Pathologist Jim McPhie said: "About 10% of our post-mortem workload is a consequence of road traffic accidents.

"One has to have a punchline in this mortuary: 'If in doubt, stay out.'"

Scotland's seven other police forces have also begun their summer road safety campaigns.

Unmarked patrols

They are using a variety of methods to get the message across - including leafleting, marked and unmarked police patrols and the targeting of sporting, music and social events.

Encouraging drivers and passengers to wear seat belts is still a top priority, say police.

In the 17 years since the law was introduced, 8,189 people have died and 414,064 people have been injured in road accidents in Scotland.

Leaflets are being distributed

Last summer's safety drive found 8,542 people travelling without a seatbelt; more than 16,000 motorists were caught breaking various speed limits and 563 drivers provided a positive breath test or refused to provide a breath test.

William Spence, chief constable of Tayside Police and member of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said: "Research shows that speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt and drink-driving are principal factors in the death of people in road accidents in Scotland.

"The aim of this campaign is to increase the public's awareness of the dangers associated with such driving behaviour."

Scotland's summer road safety campaign will run until the end of July.