Deaths on Sussex roads reached a five-year high last month.

Despite some high-profile road safety campaigns, it was the bloodiest month since June 2006.

Police and road safety experts are puzzled by the hike in fatalities, which have included pile-ups, motorcyclists spinning off the road and a pensioner hit by a bus.

In total, 13 people lost their lives on Sussex roads during June which was double the number in May, when six died, and it brings the total number of fatal accidents this year to 34. The figure for the first seven months of last year was 27.

Phil Henty, from the Sussex Safer Roads, said June’s figureswere particularly worrying even in light of the traditional rise in traffic accidents during summer.

He said: “These fatal collisions are tragic for the families, friends and communities of those involved.

“While there are tens of thousands of miles travelled safely by Sussex road users every day, some end in, potentially avoidable, tragedy.

“We are urging road users to abide by the laws of the road, be on alert for the actions of other motorists and to take extra care making their way around Sussex.”

Among the fatalities in June were two pensioners who died after a collision between a car and a motorbike.

Gerald Hickman, 81, from St Leonards, and 66-year-old motorcyclist Stuart Mann, of Hastings, died in hospital after the crash on the junction of the A21 and Marley Lane, Whatlington near Battle on Thursday, June 30.

Jason Hosker, 31, of Eastbourne, died after coming off his motorbike on Tuesday June 28 as he travelled along the A27 Polegate bypass.

On Tuesday, June 7 an 83-year-old woman died after being hit by a bus in Wadhurst High Street.

Two men from Harrow were killed after a car crash on the A23 in Pyecombe on June 19. Two other men, also from Harrow, who were in the car at the time were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

They have both been bailed until September 23.

Chief Inspector Di Roskilly of the Sussex Police Road Policing Unit said: “Research tells us that drink-driving, speeding, not wearing seatbelts and using mobile phones all increase risk on the roads. If you are on medication or feeling unwell, please make sure you are fit to drive before you set off.”

Reports of bad driving can be made to www.operationcrackdown.

org or 01243 622222.