Let's be careful out there!

Police were out in force on the 27^th June in the Thames Valley, stopping motorcyclists who were speeding or riding carelessly as part of a drive to reduce motorcycle deaths.

So far this year the number of bikers killed or seriously injured has reduced significantly. Since January this year 6 people have died in motorcycle accidents, by the same time last year 24 had died.

Operation Triumph saw officers from Thames Valley, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent as well as the Met coordinating their efforts to focus on motorcyclists.

The Superintendent said it was not about persecuting motorcyclists but about safety and making sure that bikers that went out for a ride got home safely.

In April Thames Valley Police launched a scheme of red and yellow cards to improve rider skills and safety.

A Yellow card replaces the usual road side warning and offers advice of advanced training and a red card gives the rider an alternative to prosecution - an intensive course to improve riding skills.

A web site has been developed to improve rider safety -

www.thamesvalley.police.uk/safer-rider

Dave