MANAMA: A call to end the lunacy on Bahrain's roads has gone out after the death toll reached 15 in the last five weeks.

Police said undercover officers would be brought in to help crack down on dangerous drivers, as statistics showed the number of fatalities had tripled from the same period last year.

Traffic Culture director Major Moosa Isa Al Dossary described the figures as "alarming" and stressed the importance of respecting the rules of the road and displaying self-control.

"Nine deadly accidents were due to excessive speed and failure to stick to the correct lanes," he said.

"Four were due to carelessness and lack of attention while crossing the road.

"One accident was caused by faulty brakes and another by a quad bike, which is not licensed to be driven on the road.

"Traffic police have reported an alarming increase in growing misbehaviour on the roads and the situation is worsening."

Major Al Dossary said the main offences recorded in the last five weeks were speeding, jumping red lights, dangerous driving in residential areas and a lack of proper maintenance of vehicles.

He also warned against an alarming increase in accidents involving quad bikes.

"Police reported several cases of under-age children driving quad bikes at public places without using helmets," he said.

"There were more cases of serious accidents being reported involving underage children driving quad bikes late at night without helmets or even lights."