Hitting the road on your motorbike this weekend? You’ll be joining dozens of Road Policing officers across the East of Scotland who are dedicating Saturday and Sunday to motorcycle safety.
On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, officers from Divisional and Trunk Roads Policing Units will be joining colleagues nationally in patrolling key motorcycle routes, to stop bikers and offer advice as well as enforcing any traffic offences committed by any road user.
Safety Camera vehicles will also be taking part in the weekend’s activities, with routes covered across all four East policing divisions.
Local Area Commander for Road Policing in the East of Scotland, Chief Inspector Stephen Innes, said: “So far in 2015 there have been 18 motorcycle fatalities on Scotland’s roads. Six people on motorbikes have sadly lost their lives in the four Divisions that make up the East. Biking is a very popular pastime especially over the summer months, and we want everyone to enjoy our scenic routes safely, no matter what mode of transport you are using.
“We are taking the joint approach of education and enforcement and will be patrolling key roads which are popular with bikers. Whilst the vast majority of motorcyclists ride appropriately, a small number take unnecessary risks and cause a danger to themselves and others. But it only takes one small lapse in attention to find your speed has crept up or a bend is sharper than you initially thought, so we want all bikers, indeed all road users, to think about their riding and driving and be mindful of the road conditions and other vehicles.
“Road Policing officers in marked and unmarked vehicles will be joined by colleagues on our police motorbikes, to stop and speak to riders and give advice like easing off the throttle on left-hand bends and staying alert to the speed of the vehicle in front of you. We’ll also have Safety Camera vans in key locations to remind all road users to watch their speed and enforce the law where needed.”
Road Policing officers and Safety Camera vehicles will be situated and patrolling across the East of Scotland, with a focus on the following key routes and locations –
Edinburgh – A90, A71, A701
Muirhouse, Drylaw, Kirkliston, South Queensferry, Gilmerton
A70 at Balerno
Fife – A91, A92, A915, B940, A919, B942 in North East Fife
Kinglassie Road, Glenrothes
Stirlingshire – A84 at Lochearnhead, Drummond and Strathyre
A85 at Portnellan and Auchessan
A82 at Auchtertyre
A811
Midlothian – A68
East Lothian – A199, B1377, B1347
A198 at Dirleton
B1345 at Fenton Barns
Scottish Borders – A1 at Cockburnspath, Duns and Reston
A68
Police Scotland supports the Road Safety Scotland and Scottish Government “Live Fast Die Old” campaign. During the summer motorbiking season, it is not unusual to see at least one motorcyclist fatality each weekend in Scotland, and the campaign brings a mixture of advice on techniques, routes, events and staying safe on your bike.
CI Innes continued: “We’ll be encouraging bikers to check out the Live Fast Die Old Facebook page, as well as our Around The Corner website – both are great resources for enjoying riding safely.
“Whilst we will be giving advice where appropriate, we will also be enforcing the law – careless and dangerous driving will not be tolerated and speed limits are in place for the safety of all road users.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
