Police hope the plea can cut road deaths in Grampian

Three teenagers died in one crash near Keith in Moray late on Friday, and a 46-year-old motorcyclist died on the B999 Tarves to Methlick road on Sunday.

Grampian Police Chief Inspector Tom Forrester warned that drivers had to take less risks on the roads.

He said: "The rise in the death toll is not only tragic, it's also avoidable."

Chf Insp Forrester said: "Of the 44 fatal collisions resulting in 50 people dying across Grampian's roads this year, we believe that only one was an 'accident'.

I would wish to plead with drivers, passengers, parents and pedestrians to consider the horror of what we have seen Andy Coueslant Grampian Fire and Rescue Service

"The other collisions were the result of someone's actions, someone doing something wrong, being foolish or just plain reckless. We must stop thinking of this appalling waste of life as accidental.

"Drivers have got to take responsibility for their actions and must consider what the impact of their actions may be before acting."

He said it was no use being sorry after someone had been killed.

Andy Coueslant, area commander with Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Sadly, we have been called to deal with the horrendous aftermath of fatal road traffic collisions this weekend.

"These incidents are obviously distressing for emergency service personnel to deal with but this is nothing compared to the misery and devastation being experienced by family and friends of those left behind.