Five motorcycle fatalities this month

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

Where offences are committed, they will enforce the law and will not hesitate to pull over anyone who is driving or riding in an irresponsible or illegal manner.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, 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 motorcycles, with support from the Safety Camera Units, including the new motorcycle-based safety camera unit, which was launched last week.”

101 and 999 Aware Campaign

Earlier this year Police Scotland launched a campaign to remind people of the appropriate way to use 101 and 999 numbers.

Around 2.8 million 101 non-emergency calls are made every year in Scotland, while just under half a million emergency calls are placed via 999. Most of those calls are made appropriately but many are not. Inappropriate calls can take a call handler away from what could be an important 999 call and a member of the public who may need urgent assistance.

For more information visit the 101 and 999 Aware Campaign page.