IT HAS been a dreadful few days on Gwent's roads.

Four people have lost their lives in as many days after accidents in Abergavenny, Chepstow and near Newport.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones.

These tragedies remind us all of the fragility of human life, particularly when a young child with their whole life ahead of them is a victim.

Thankfully, the number of fatalities on our roads is decreasing.

But none of us can afford the be complacent when behind the wheel of a car.

There are many factors at play in serious accidents - driving standards, speed, road conditions, the weather.

We do not know what part these factors - if any - played in the tragedies we have reported in recent days.

But we do know that concentration is absolutely vital on today's roads.

Modern cars may be safer than ever but they are also more powerful than they have ever been and many contains boxes of tricks from hands-free mobile phone systems to satellite navigation that all compete for a driver's attention.

We hope that everyone pauses for reflection after these last few days.

Leave a little more time for your journey, drive a little slower, concentrate a little more.

The rarer tragedies on our roads become, the better it will be for all of us.