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Speed campaign cuts biker deaths

Police and council chiefs believe an anti-speeding campaign may have helped cut motorcycle deaths in Powys last year.

Biker fatalities fell by more than 50 per cent - from 12 in 2003 to five in 2004 - with the same amount of traffic estimated over the same period. Serious injury accidents also fell from 87 to 49 in the same period, and total motorcycle casualties were also down, from 87 to 49.

The joint police and county council campaign included roadside posters showing the numbers of deaths, and a leaflet with a map of accident blackspots.

Bikers from the Midlands and South Wales flock to ride Powys' quiet, rural roads during summer weekends.

"There used to be a perception among some motorcyclists that our roads could be treated almost like a race track," said inspector Geraint Rees of Dyfed-Powys Police. "We have been a lot more proactive over the past couple of years to dispel this myth and will continue this work."

For the full article visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/4529529.stm.