A police chief has warned about the dangers of the A71 after figures show road deaths and injuries are up in East Ayrshire.

There have been five road deaths with another 38 people and seven children left seriously injured following car smashes in the area.

Another 128 people were slightly hurt.

The statistics were presented by new Ayrshire divisional commander Mark Hargreaves to the East Ayrshire police and fire and rescue committee today.

There were a total of 178 casualties caused by motor crashes over the past eight months, which shows a rise of 23 per cent.

Chief superintendent Hargreaves branded the increase as “concerning.”

He pointed outto councillors that the A71 was a hotspot for road traffic collisions.

He said the police are looking at assigning more officers to areas impacted by higher levels of road accidents.

Speaking at the committee meeting, Chief Hargreaves said there have been issues of pedestrians walking in the dark along the A71.

The road goes through Newmilns, Darvel, Hurlford and other areas.

A 43-year-old man was killed on the route in Galston last year after being hit by a car.

East Ayrshire depute chief executive Katie Kelly told the meeting: “The A71 is a country road. It is a fast road.”

She added: “We want to avoid another death there.”

Ms Kelly said the council wants to raise awareness about road safety alongside the Ayrshire Roads Alliance and police.

She said: “It is important to remind kids to be safe.”

Over the past eight months, police have stopped 457 motorists for speeding in East Ayrshire. They have also pulled over 101 drivers for drink or drug driving and 56 people for using a mobile phone. Over the festive period, 10 people were charged with drink or drug driving and another six for being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

A report presented to the committee stated: “Too many people in East Ayrshire continue to drive whilst over the prescribed limit, and in doing so place themselves and others in danger.”