Motorcycle safety campaign

A road safety campaign has been launched in Norwich which has seen 23 bikers stopped for speeding in just two weeks - including one who was doing 125mph.

Motorcyclists are being targeted by Norfolk police in the new campaign, officially launched yesterday, with the aim of preventing serious and fatal road accidents. As well as stopping people officers will be spreading the safety message.

The move has been prompted after more than 60 riders were injured in accidents in Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk since January.

In the last two weeks in the central police area - which covers Norwich, Thorpe, Sprowston, Taverham and Broadland - 23 motorcycles have been stopped for speeding. Last year, nine bikers died and 427 were seriously on the county's roads. The year before eight died and 455 were seriously injured. So far this year there have been three deaths in the county.

The drive to improve safety and prevent accidents will include spot-checks with officers checking documents and keeping an eye out for other offences and faults on bikes.

However, the main message will be one of road safety. Inspector Jeff Anderson said today: “While the vast majority of motorcycle riders use their vehicles within the law, a minority abuse it. We all see these irresponsible riders every day of the week.

“They are the ones who ride at excessive speed, overtake when approaching blind bends, or over solid white lines in the centre of the road and those who pull 'wheelies'.

“Additionally, there are those riders with illegal, miniature number plates and Provisional Licence Holders who do not display 'L' plates.

“There are, of course, those motorcycle users who are involved in accidents through no fault of their own - this is because other road users in cars, vans and lorries do not see them. So the safety message is aimed at all road users.”

Insp Anderson, who is one of the county's most experienced road policing officers, added: “I have been to far too many fatal road traffic collisions involving motorcycles, many of which have involved the motorcycle travelling at an inappropriate speed resulting in the rider losing control of their machine. The message here is: 'slow down'.

“Equally, I've attended too many crashes where the four-wheeled driver has failed to appreciate the presence of a motorcycle. The message for these people is simple but significant: 'think bike'.”

Source - Norwich Evening News

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