DRIVERS and pedestrians in Teesside are being urged to play their part in keeping the roads safe this winter.

So far, 22 people have died on Teesside's roads this year, and with longer nights and bad weather to come, it is feared the toll will rise if people do not take more care.

Sergeant Nick Walker, the road death inquiry manager for Cleveland Police, said the number of deaths this year was alarming.

He said: "Road deaths are a horrific fact of life that cannot be acceptable and they are not just a problem for the police.

"We are all in a position to try to reduce the amount of grief that is caused by reducing the amount of crashes that occur."

Of the 22 people who died this year, eight were drivers, two were passengers, three were motorcyclists, one was a cyclist and eight were pedestrians.

Last year, there were 21 deaths -11 drivers, two passengers, one motorcyclist, three cyclists and four pedestrians.

Sgt Walker said: "Motorists should drive within the speed limits but also in accordance with the weather and road conditions.

"Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front, make sure you can stop if someone steps out suddenly and look ahead as far as you can see rather than just at the car in front. As winter draws in, leave more time for journeys."

Sgt Walker urged pedestrians to wear clothing that made them stand out, and to stay away from the side of roads and use proper crossing points.