Police in drive to cut biker deaths

Despite nearly halving the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured across the Humberside Police area since 2003, the force says bikers still account for a disproportionately high number of serious accidents on the region's roads.

To tackle the problem extra patrols are being mounted along some of the most dangerous routes in Operation Achilles.

High-visibility patrols are being launched in tandem with unmarked vehicles and the force helicopter to catch those flouting the law and putting themselves and other road users at risk.

Although motorcyclists only form one per cent of the motoring community, nationally they account for 21 per cent of all serious and fatal road casualties, and 18 per cent in the force area last year.

Despite reaching a peak in 2004, when there were 18 motorcycling fatalities across Humberside, the figures have begun to rise slightly in recent years – a trend the force describes as "worrying".

From a low of seven deaths in 2006 and 2007, eight bikers were killed in 2008 and 10 last year.

The biggest success for the force has been in reducing the numbers who have suffered life-changing injuries in motorcycle accidents.

There were 161 such cases in 2003, 132 in 2004, 131 in 2005, 112 in 2006, 118 in 2007, 114 in 2008, and 82 last year.

Hundreds of drivers and motorcyclists are prosecuted every year for dangerous driving and riding or speeding offences, and the force said it expected similar figures this year.

A two-week survey of one of the routes last summer showed the scale of the problem.

On the A166 between Stamford Bridge and Driffield – a single carriageway which mostly has a 60mph speed limit – nearly 700 cars and 350 motorcycles were clocked travelling over 80mph.

The highest recorded speed was 127mph for a motorcycle and 126mph for a car.

Pc Glen Dennis, casualty reduction officer for the East Riding, said even this did not show the true picture as speed recording equipment cannot record speeds in excess of 130mph.

He said: "We have witnessed speeds well in excess of that and have video evidence of that.

"We want the cold, hard facts to show the problems were are facing so the public know we are not just putting our finger in the air."

Despite the figures, some motorcyclists have claimed they were being unfairly targeted in the past.

Pc Dennis said: "We also have a scheme for bikers which offers them a course aimed at changing their behaviour and attitude rather than prosecution, so bikers are getting a very good deal out of this.

"We don't target bikers per se, but we do target high collision rates."

Among the vehicles being deployed is a 1,300cc Suzuki Hayabusa, one of the fastest production bikes in the world with 180-brake horsepower, which is equipped with video and speed recording equipment.

Only five officers in the force are authorised to use it.

Jeff Stone, spokesman for the British Motorcyclists' Federation, said: "We are all in favour of reducing motorcycle accidents and casualties. The problem comes from tarring everyone with the same brush with the attitude of 'There's a biker, he must be a nutter, he's going too fast'.

"If the police are just after the extreme riders fair enough, there's no argument. There's no getting away from the fact that motorcycle casualties are too high.

"What we don't want to see is over-the-top policing."