NUMBERS of deaths on roads in York and North Yorkshire have soared over the past month - with 14 people losing their lives.

Now police and fire chiefs are issuing a stark warning to motorists to stay safe as driving conditions become more treacherous in the approaching winter months.

Newly-released statistics show 14 deaths on roads in the city of York and North Yorkshire since September 3. As reported in Saturday's Evening Press, two people died in separate accidents last Friday.

Earlier this month a man was killed just outside Sherburn-in-Elmet, and a driver died in a crash with a lorry on the A1237 between the Monks Cross and Hopgrove roundabouts, in York.

Last year, 34 people lost their lives on the county's roads. Already this year, the number of deaths has reached 32 and emergency chiefs fear the onset of poor winter weather may bring more.

Nigel Hutchinson, North Yorkshire chief fire officer, said: "We are very concerned about the number of fatal accidents that have occurred on our roads recently and offer the deepest sympathy to the families of the people involved. "As we move towards winter and driving conditions become more difficult I would ask everyone to take the following simple steps to try and avoid further tragedy:

Take a little more time over your journey- slow down

Keep a safe distance from other vehicles - give yourself time to react

Have your car checked/serviced regularly."

Businesses in York are also being targeted in a new road safety initiative from City of York Council.

Their campaign, called Your Driving, Your Business, aims to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on the city's roads.

According to the council, more than a third of all road smashes involve people who are behind the wheel for a work-related reason.

By registering on a council web page, businesses will be able to find out information about the risk and potential cost of work-related crashes.

They can also access an online 'driver profiler' tool that will help employers pinpoint drivers who might need training.

Tom Bryant, road safety officer for City of York Council, said: "We have a vision for the future of zero people being killed and seriously injured on the city's roads. Driving is one of the most high-risk work-related activities, but, with the help of York businesses, we believe that we can reduce the number of crashes involving employees."

To register for the campaign, visit www.york.gov.uk/roadsafety.

To find out more, email tom.bryant@york.gov.uk, or phone 01904 551387.14 die on roads in just 52 days

Updated: 13:19 Monday, October 24, 2005