FIVE motorists were charged and two vehicles seized as police pulled over nearly 50 vehicles following a second fatal accident on the A1 in three months.

A further 21 drivers were issued with warnings or advice about defects to their vehicles while two were given fixed penalties for not having a valid MOT and another two were searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The stops were carried out at the Jewel, Edinburgh, on Tuesday, by Police Scotland as part of Operation Alternate.

The multi-agency operation also involved the Trunk Roads Policing Unit, road policing officers, and officers from the National Motorcycle Unit in partnership with the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency and Gangmaster Licensing Authority.

Chief Inspector Matt Paden, local area commander for East Lothian, said the crackdown came after the two fatalities on the A1 in recent months.

Veterinary student Meghan Ambrozevich-Blair, 26, from Dunbar, died in December when her car was involved in a collision with a Ford transit truck near Belhaven roundabout.

And Paul Thomas Johnson, 31, from Berwick Upon Tweed, died in a fatal collision on the road in the early hours of Saturday morning, near Eyemouth.

Cheif Inspector Paden said: "“This enforcement activity is part of our on-going commitment to reducing criminality and casualties on our roads.

“We have had two very tragic deaths on the A1 in the past few months and I am committed to focusing on the A1 through high-visibility proactive operations such as static road checks and mobile patrols to have a positive influence on driver behaviour, keeping people safe on our roads.

“The road policing unit will continue to target road users who have a total disregard for themselves and the safety of others.

“I would advise all drivers to ensure they maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition, that they have correct documentation and they comply with the rules of the road.”