Combating Motorcycle Casualties

Police and County Council Joint Operation To Combat Motorcycle Casualties

Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire County Council have unveiled their latests series of joint operations aimed at encouraging safe bike riding and reducing the high number of motorcycle casualties.

Spring sees a sharp increase in the number of motorcyclists riding on the roads. The vast majority of these bike users ride their bikes with care and keep within the law.

But for the few who continue to flout the law and pose a danger to other road users and themselves, police and council officers will be targeting hotspots to ensure public safety and educate those riders whose driving standards are inadequate. Officers will also be travelling to impromptu locations to monitor bike riders and also motorists as part of the operation.

Inappropriate and or excessive speed, dangerous driving and other road safety issues will be monitored and appropriate police action will be taken.

This is the second year the series of operations are being run.

Last year motorcyclists and other road users were stopped at the roadside for a range of motoring offences including excessive speed, failure to wear a seat belt, the use of illegal number plates and the fitting of unlawful noisy exhaust systems.

Over 500 offences were dealt with, of which less than one third were committed by motorcyclists. One car driver's speed was recorded at 133 mph and two motorcylists were seen travelling at speeds over 100 mph. One motorcyclist was disqualified from driving or riding and was fined for riding at 101 mph on the A3400 near to Stratford Upon Avon.

In 2004, 12 motorcyclists were killed on Warwickshire's roads. These deaths accounted for almost a quarter of all road deaths last year, but motorcyclists are only one per cent of all road users. A further 81 motorcyclists were seriously injured.

Chief Superintendent Jon Bond, partnership Chairperson said: "We want motorcyclists to enjoy their rides in Warwickshire, but we also want them to ride safely and with consideration for other road users, pedestrians and the public. Last year's operation demonstrated that the vast majority of motorcyclists are responsible road users, but for those who are irresponsible my message is clear - change your riding behaviour or risk being detected and dealt with accordingly."

This year's joint operations are part of the annual multi-agency road safety campaign. A further series of promotional campaigns are run throughout the year to encourage both safe bike riding and vehicle driving. In addition police officers carry out drink driving tests on all motorists involved in a collision or on any driver or rider believed to be driving or riding over the limit.

The Warwickshire Police Bike Safe Initiative is run throughout summer weekends, details are available by vising www.bikesafe.co.uk .