Police target riders in ‘National Motorcycle Week of Action’

POLICE across the country took part in a ‘National Motorcycle Week of Action’, stopping riders and issuing fixed penalties, warnings and advice.

In Hampshire, 94 riders were stopped. Fifteen were stopped for speed, nine for careless of inconsiderate riding and seven for construction and use offences.

Twenty-one were issued with a fixed penalty, reported for a summons or offered a course instead of prosecution, while 73 were given advice on safer riding.

In Suffolk and Norfolk, 52 riders were stopped, less than half of them for a traffic offence.

Twenty-four were reported for an offence, 22 given verbal warnings and 15 given a vehicle rectification notice requiring faults to be fixed in 14 days. Ten negative breath tests were conducted and two bikes seized.

Suffolk’s Inspector Julian Ditcham: “It is disappointing to see that of the bikes stopped, nearly half of them were for a traffic offence. I would highly recommend that riders consider taking one of our motorcyclist workshops to improve their ability whilst on the road."

The nationwide initiative was organised by the National Police Chief’s Council and ran from March 21-27.

Leicestershire’s Chief Inspector Phil Vickers said: ‘Along with enforcing the law our campaign also aims to offer advice to riders to help improve their road skills, make their riding safer and more enjoyable while also encouraging them to take further training, either through their local police or council road safety teams.’

Hampshire Police’s Sergeant Rob Heard said: ‘This campaign week was a useful opportunity to remind riders that they should be as visible as possible, and ride in an appropriate way to the road and weather condition.’