A major safety campaign is being launched on a dangerous stretch of road following an "alarming" number of accidents.

Flashback to April 3, 1998, when a driver had a lucky escape near Dunnington

In the last three years 12 people have died on the A1079 York to Hull road - half of them during the months of January and February. In addition 65 people have been seriously hurt in road traffic accidents and 264 slightly hurt.

Officers at Humberside Police say the number of fatalities is of "great concern" because they have remained constant for six years.

They say that at this time of the year drivers should be aware that the road is susceptible to black ice, snow and rain water, which all make driving conditions dangerous.

PC Pete Cole, of Humberside Police, said: "On average 69 people die on the road throughout the Humberside Police Force area each year.

"Fatal accidents have many contributory factors, the main being inappropriate speed and lack of care at junctions

"When analysing locations where fatal accidents have occurred during January and February the A1079 was one of three that had the most."

He added that areas of great concern was Pocklington and Barmby Moor, which has been the scene of a number of fatal accidents over the last couple of years including the shocking incident when a four-year-old boy and his grandmother were killed as they crossed the busy road outside their family home.

"Broadly speaking, the accidents are clustered around junctions, where people are pulling out without looking and drivers are travelling at high speeds, unaware traffic is pulling out. The campaign, which is being launched later this week, aims to increase driver awareness to road safety and to influence motorists to reduce speed and increase safety margins.

High profile police patrols will located along the road during the campaign and will be monitoring traffic speeds, as well as carrying out spot-checks on vehicles, particularly tyres.

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