ROADS policing officers from across Hampshire and the Thames Valley have teamed up for a week of action aimed at reducing the number of motorcycle collisions on our roads.

Motorcyclists make up just one per cent of the total traffic, yet they account for 21 per cent of all road deaths.

It is a stark statistic which officers hope to change in a campaign that is urging all road users to ‘take that extra look, don’t take that risk – it could save a life’.

And it is these simple steps that police are urging drivers and riders to take this summer to help reduce the number of motorcyclists killed on the region’s roads.

From May 25-31, local officers will be supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s national campaign to improve motorcycle safety and slash the number of riders who lose their lives or are seriously injured in collisions.

They will be out on patrol speaking to motorcyclists and drivers, who can both take steps to reduce the risk of a collision. Motorcyclists will be urged to avoid taking unnecessary risks and drivers will be encouraged to take just one extra look at junctions, where many collisions occur with motorcyclists.

Across the Joint Operations Unit in 2016, there were 1,366 collisions involving motorcycles, which resulted in 1,423 casualties, including 22 fatalities.

In Hampshire, during the same period, there were 737 collisions involving motorcycles, which saw 768 motorcyclists injured of which nine died.

Particular hotspots in Hampshire include the M3 between junctions 10 and 11 and junctions four and seven, the A34 between the M3 and A33 junction, the M27 between junctions 10 and 12 and five and eight, as well as the A339 and the A31 between the M3 and Ropley Dean.

Sergeant Rob Heard said: “Many collisions with motorcycles occur at junctions and we all need to make sure we look out for approaching motorcycles, which may merge into the background as they approach.

“Motorists just need to give themselves a little extra time to look out for motorcycles, while riders need to make sure they ride safely and not take unnecessary risks.

“We are reminding people of the potential dangers and hope both riders and motorists will look out for each other.”