There have now been 53 road deaths in Grampian this year

Jody Longmore, 25, from Buckie, died on the A98 near Connage. Two people suffered minor injuries.

Shortly afterwards Gary Sinclair, 33, from Elgin, died in a one-car crash on the B9013 near the town.

The family of Mr Longmore said in a statement: "This is a desperate time for us all. Jody's tragic loss has left us devastated."

It is down to all road users to ensure that they do not become number 54, with all the grief and misery that would bring to their families Chief Inspector Tom Forrester Grampian Police

The deaths took the number of people killed on roads in Grampian this year to 53 - which was 2005's total.

Police and fire chiefs renewed earlier appeals made in a bid to cut road casualties.

Grampian Police Chief Inspector Tom Forrester said: "It is still too early to identify with certainty the causes of the collisions, initial enquiries would appear to indicate that these two tragic deaths could have been prevented.

'Shocking' figure

"I would emphasise once again that all road users have got to take responsibility and work with us to prevent this needless loss of life on our roads."

"We will continue to enforce traffic laws but it is down to all road users to ensure that they do not become number 54, with all the grief and misery that would bring to their families."

Andy Coueslant of Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said: "During the Safe Drive Stay Alive event we were working with young people to challenge bad driving and promote the need for everyone to take responsibility.

"I am disappointed to see that this message is not being grasped by the wider community. The 2005 total of 53 people killed was shocking enough."