Bike deaths down in North Yorkshire

A joint initiative by North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Police has reduced the number of motorbike riders killed on the county's roads by almost 50 per cent.

In 2003 a total of 28 riders were killed in North Yorkshire, while the figure to date for 2004 stands at 16. The number of crashes that resulted in someone being killed or seriously injured has also reduced by around 40 per cent - from 195 to 126.

High profile patrols and enforcement, as well as fast tracking serious speed offenders to court and sentence, have been used to reduce the number of biking accidents.

While the police and county council welcomed the news, both organisations have warned there is still work to be done to ensure the downward trend continues.

"We are pleased with the results for 2004 and believe the work undertaken by the police and ourselves has gone a long way to bring this about," said road safety officer David Lindsay. "Although the weather this year has restricted to an extent the opportunity to take to the road, riders have also been made very aware of the consequences they face if they drive irresponsibly in the county, and have taken notice.

David Collins, of North Yorkshire Police added: "These figures are very encouraging, however we will not become complacent. We will be reviewing all aspects of this year's campaign and establish what lessons can be learned from it, and how we will conduct next year's campaign.

"Our work to reduce numbers will continue next year," he added. "Although the main focus of the work was to reduce casualties, the campaign was also working on combating anti-social use of bikes in relation to noise and other issues, as we know this is of huge importance to the community. This included the use of defective, and therefore potentially dangerous, bikes."

The police and road safety team have funded and introduced extended patrols and new technology in a bid to catch drivers, not just bikers, who regularly drive irresponsibly on the county's roads.

For more information contact Dawn Turnbull on (01287) 610404 or dawn@dtw.co.uk.