This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
More than 100 motorcyclists were stopped across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight during the latest nationwide initiative to promote safer riding.
Hampshire Constabulary supported the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) campaign week between August 31 and September 5, 2015.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Road Safety Officer, Sergeant Rob Heard said:
“This campaign was a useful opportunity to remind riders that they should be as visible as possible on the road users, and riding in an appropriate way to the road and weather conditions, particularly as summer moves into autumn.
“Nearly half the motorcyclists stopped during the week had not committed any offences and were riding safely. They were stopped and updated on current courses and schemes available to them, like Bike Safe. To find out more visit the Bike Safe Website.
“We must avoid any complacency because statistics suggest that motorcyclists remain the road user group with the highest rate of collisions and casualties per mile travelled. Motorcyclists make up just one per cent of total road traffic but account for 19 per cent of all road user deaths.
“All of us have a responsibility to ‘Think Bike’ because many collisions with motorcycles can happen at junctions. It’s important for both drivers and riders to allow extra time to show mutual consideration and respect on the roads.”
The stats
The total number of motorcyclists either stopped and given advice or reported for criminal offences or involved in a collision across Hampshire was 138.
Analysis of which police units stopped motorcyclists:
East Hampshire: Fratton-based roads policing officers:
74
North Hampshire:Whitchurch-based roads policing officers:
17
West Hampshire: Totton-based roads policing officers:
35
Isle of Wight-based roads policing officers:
0 (Zero)
Other officers:
4 (Four)
Safety Camera detections:
8 (Eight)
Collisions
Out of these 138 motorcyclists, five (5) motorcyclists were involved in a collision.
Offences
24 per cent were caught speeding
14 per cent were caught careless riding
15 per cent had Construction and Use offences
47 per cent had committed no offences, but were given advice about education courses.
Results – Out of the 53 per cent of motorcyclists stopped for various offences, they were dealt with by:
78 per cent of these were given a verbal warning
20 per cent were given a fixed penalty or sent on a referral course
Two (2) per cent were reported for summons
Types of roads where stops occurred
77 per cent of those stopped were on urban roads
14 per cent of those stopped were on rural roads
Six (6) per cent of those stopped were on a motorway
Three (3) per cent of those stopped were on other roads
Size of motorcycles stopped
40 per cent were up to 125cc
60 per cent were over 125cc in size
