Scheme for safer riders

11:09am Thursday 24th May 2007

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MOTORCYCLISTS in Yeovil are being targeted by a police campaign to help slash casualties on the road.

Avon and Somerset Police have launched a high profile scheme, Operation Triumph, aiming to raise awareness of the dangers motorcyclists face and promote safer biking advice.

Although motorcyclists account for only one per cent of road users, they are involved in around a fifth of all collisions where people are injured.

Last year the Collision Investigation Unit, which attends all serious or fatal collisions, went to 45 incidents involving motorcyclists that were either killed or left with life threatening injuries.

Ch Insp Norman Pascal, from the force's Road Policing Unit, said: "The facts speak for themselves and, although the motorcyclists themselves are by no means always at fault, the risks remain, meaning they need to be aware of the best ways of keeping themselves and their passengers safe."

Police will be visiting bikers' meeting places to talk through issues and try to get them along to either our one-day or weekend-long courses.

They will also be carrying out stop checks on popular biking routes and taking the opportunity to hand out information about bike security.

Operation Triumph will also see officers tackling other aspects of motorcycle-related crime, including theft of motorcycles or parts, anti-social riders using mopeds in residential areas and green spaces, and vehicles which have been illegally enhanced.

For information on motorcycle safety, click on the link below.