Bikers urged to take care after five fatalities

A number of tragedies involving motorcyclists on Scotland's roads has prompted a plea to bikers to take extra care.
Motorcylists are being urged to take care following a number of tragedies on Scotland's roads this month.Motorcylists are being urged to take care following a number of tragedies on Scotland's roads this month.
Motorcylists are being urged to take care following a number of tragedies on Scotland's roads this month.

Road policing officers have raised concerns following the deaths of five bikers on Scotland’s roads so far this August.

Police Scotland is currently undertaking Operation Zenith – an ongoing safety campaign for motorcyclists – which has officers out on patrols dedicated to reducing motorcycle casualties and engaging directly with riders to encourage them to stay safe.

As well as offering advice, officers ahave also been pulling over anyone who has been driving or riding in an irresponsibly or illegally.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, head of road policing, said: “We understand the thrill of motorcycling but we also want riders to keep safe, especially when overtaking and negotiating left hand bends.

“Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users and with an increase in tourist and foreign drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads during the holiday season, I would encourage motorcyclists to take extra care.

“In order to reinforce the road safety message and discourage inappropriate riding or driving, road policing officers will be out in numbers in marked and unmarked patrol cars and on motorcycles, with support from the safety camera units, including the new motorcycle-based safety camera unit, which was launched last week.”