THE number of serious and fatal car crashes in Cumbria involving pedestrians has increased over the last year as police warn of a "worrying increase" of accidents.

Over the course of 2016, nine people were killed and 52 were seriously injured in collisions involving pedestrians on roads in Cumbria.

READ MORE: Figures highlight perils on Barrow and South Cumbria roads

The majority of the crashes occurred in the winter months as statistics show there were at least 35 serious or fatal incidents across January, February, March, November and December.

This is more than double the number of accidents involving pedestrians in the same period during 2015, which recorded 15 incidents, although the way data is calculated has changed so previously minor injuries such as bruising and scratching are now included as serious.

Chief Inspector Andy Wilkinson, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: "We keep a regular track on such statistics along with partners at Cumbria Road Safety Partnership. This winter we are noticing an alarming increase in incidents where cars and other vehicles have collided with people.

"Each such incident is unique. We have seen incidents which have come in the aftermath of an initial collision where people have stepped out of their vehicle to check the damage to their own can only for another vehicle to collide with them. We’ve seen incidents where people have been walking at the side of a road which is very badly lit.

"There is some basic advice we hope people can take on board to make themselves and their family safer this winter – much of it you may recall from your school days but have since forgotten.

"Hopefully, by making more people aware of such issues, we can help ensure there are no further incidents this winter."

The breakdown of fatal collisions involving pedestrians is: one in the Barrow borough, three in South Lakeland, one in Allerdale, one in Eden and three in Carlisle.

In the Barrow borough, 76-year-old Hilda Higgins, of Rawlinson Street, Dalton, died after being hit by a transit van in Market Street, Dalton, on November 17. The St Mary's shop volunteer was described as a "much loved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother" .

Nichola Tyson, who was originally from Millom before moving to Kendal, died at the age of 35 after being hit by a number of vehicles on the A590 near Levens on March 2.

John Bell, from Carnforth, was walking along an unlit section of the A65 in Kirkby Lonsdale when he was hit twice by vehicles and killed on March 12.

Eighty-three-year-old Peter Hunt, from Kendal, died on the A6 at Levens Hall on December 6.

On the back of the rise in crashes, police are advising pedestrians:

• Make sure they are visible to motorists and at night consider wearing items with reflective strips, or at least bright clothing;

• Try to avoid walking in areas that are poorly lit;

• Try to stick to pavements wherever possible and, particularly at night, avoid routes which give no option but to walk on the road;

• Avoid crossing the road close to a bend – particularly a sharp right bend – so traffic has a better chance of seeing;

• Always use a crossing to cross the road if that option is available.

Peter McCall, Cumbria's police and crime commissioner, said: "This is a worrying increase, and I would like to add my own plea to pedestrians to take extra special care on the roads.

"By following this simple advice, collisions can be avoided and lives can be saved."

Collisions involving pedestrians which resulted in fatal or serious injury in 2016

Allerdale 7

Barrow 11

Carlisle 18

Copeland 7

Eden 4

South Lakeland 14

Total 61

Fatal collisions involving pedestrians in 2016

Allerdale 1

Barrow 1

Carlisle 3

Eden 1

South Lakeland 3

Total 9