CALLS for caution and commonsense are being repeated as the Forest counts the cost of a recent spate of road accidents including two fatal crashes in December alone.

And while last month's tally, which also included two cases of serious injury, was not a discernible trend according to police, it was worrying up against the same period last year which saw no deaths or serious injuries.

"In 2,000 we had no serious injuries and no fatalities in the Forest and Gloucester Division for the period December 1-28," said a spokesman for Gloucestershire Police.

"However it's not the sort of figure on which we can base anything – in 1999 Road Traffic Department figures for this same period were five serious injuries and two fatalities."

While there were 11 fatalities for the year to December 28 2000, so far this year there had been 13 deaths.

Vice-chairman of the Forest Road Safety Committee Gill Camp said it was "a struggle" to get the message across that speeding was a major factor in accidents along with drink.

"All we can do is push, push, push," she said. "We would do anything to stop people driving too fast."

It was possible that in the Forest area the disappearance of roaming sheep after foot and mouth had stopped people driving with caution.

Unfortunately young people were often the victims, and although many were very good drivers it was not until they were involved in an accident that they realised the forces involved.

"I have a grandson of 16 who is just starting to drive – I think you have to make them appreciate that when they are going fast there is half a ton of steel behind them."

The police said they were also trying hard to ram home the message that speed was a killer.

"Over the Christmas the police have been running a drink drive campaign too. Our traffic division is also advising motorists to check their cars over thoroughly to make sure they can cope with bad weather – tyres, wipers, that sort of thing," said a spokesman.

And county councillor Dr John Cardwell, portfolio holder for strategic planning and transport, added: "We were very concerned to hear about these accidents.

"We will await police reports to determine their cause and, if necessary, appropriate action will be taken."