Police praise bikers in cross-border safety operation
Police in North Yorkshire and Cumbria joined forces on Sunday 10 July 2011 to carry out a joint road safety operation across the Craven and Cumbrian border.
Officers patrolled popular motorcycling routes in cars and motorcycles including the A65 from Skipton to Devil's Bridge near Kirby Lonsdale, the B6255 to Ribblehead, and the A684 from Sedbergh to Hawes.
The operation was primarily aimed at motorcycle safety to support both forces' ongoing campaigns to reduce biker deaths and injuries.
Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, from North Yorkshire's Road Policing Unit, said: "While our primary aim was reducing motorcycle casualties, approximately 70 per cent of the offenders we dealt with were car drivers. The vast majority of motorcyclists we observed were riding appropriately and safely, and I praise them for that."
In North Yorkshire, 27 motorists were fined for a number of offences including:
- 13 speeding offences
- 4 continuous white line offences (all bikers)
- 2 tax offences
- 9 registration plate offences
- 1 offence of a car's window tint being too dark
One motorcyclist was also reported for dangerous riding after being caught riding at over 100mph on the A65 between Hellifield and Gargrave. He was also issued with a section 59 order which relates to the anti-social use of a motorcycle. If the vehicle or offender is caught driving or riding in an anti-social manner in the next 12 months, the bike will be automatically seized.
In Cumbria, officers stopped over 75 motorcyclists at Cowan Bridge. Seventeen vehicle defect rectification notices were issued for illegal or faulty exhausts and number plates. Two riders were stopped for speeding and one was taken into custody for riding a motorcycle while over the legal limit for alcohol.
TS Stringer added: "Teaming up with our colleagues in Cumbria helps us send a united message that dangerous and anti-social use of the roads will not be tolerated anywhere. We welcome safe riders and drivers, but if you come to the county hoping for an alternative track day, then they should seriously think again."
Inspector Andy Wilkinson from Cumbria's Roads Policing Unit said: "Reducing the number of people killed and injured on the region's roads is a priority for Cumbria Police.
"At this time of year we turn our attention to motorcycle safety as bikers flock to the open roads and beautiful scenery in the Pennines, Dales and Lake District fells.
"Road safety is not constrained by county boundaries, so we regularly work with colleagues in North Yorkshire to target careless and dangerous motoring on both sides of the border.
"I hope that this operation will make people think twice before taking risks on the road."
1.58pm - 12 July 2011
