Five people were killed after a Toyota and Lada cars collided on a highway in Russia's southern republic of Adygea, a spokesman for the regional Emergencies Ministry said.

"As a result of the head-on collision five people were killed and one was hospitalized with severe injuries," he said.

According to statistics, 30,000 people lose their lives in traffic accidents every year in Russia.

Last year Russian President Dmitry Medvedev blamed the carnage on the poor state of the country's roads, as well as a "lack of discipline, and the criminal negligence of drivers."

ROSTOV-ON-DON, May 2 (RIA Novosti)