HAMPSHIRE police are making a renewed effort to cut the number of motorcycle deaths and injuries on the county's roads, by resurrecting an education scheme for local motorcycle riders.
The scheme comes in the wake of escalating fatality figures on the roads of East Hampshire which, since January, have all involved motorcycles.
Committed to reducing deaths on local roads, Hampshire police have taken on the task of educating motorcyclists on how to ride their vehicles more safely and responsibly.
This programme used to be conducted by a nationwide group known as EDGE, but the group has now been disbanded. But Hampshire Constabulary, along with Hampshire County Council, is continuing the project on a local scale, under the name of EDGE44.
For a small fee, riders receive a number of rides accompanied by an off-duty police officer on their own bike, after which they will be given advice on how to stay alive by improving positioning, when and where to ride defensively, and many other tips and pointers.
"This is not intended to pull your riding to pieces", said Whitehill traffic police's traffic management officer, Pc Eric Martin.
"We understand the thrills of the bikes and that you will continue to ride however much enforcement we put your way. We are merely trying to educate you to stay alive a little longer."
Motorcycles represent just one per cent of vehicles on the road, yet they total 20 per cent of road deaths. This year alone, all the fatal collisions that have happened in the Whitehill traffic area of Alton, Bordon and Petersfield, have involved motorcycles.
Just last week, two motorcyclists were involved in collisions in East Hampshire, resulting in the death of one, with the other sustaining incredibly severe injuries.
Southampton man Brent Saunders. 39, was killed on the A339 near Lasham on Thursday April 17, when he lost control of his Kawasaki ZRX1200 and collided with a 7.5-ton lorry travelling in the opposite direction.
On the same day, a 55-year-old motorcyclist from Guildford was taken to hospital after his Yamaha R1 collided with a Peugeot 406 on the A325 near the Budds Lane junction in Bordon.
The man was treated for broken ribs, broken arms, a broken jaw, fractured eye sockets and concussion.
The demographic that is initially being aimed for is those aged 30 or over with a wife and children, who have recently returned to motorcycle riding and bought a high-powered bike. This is the profile that fits the majority of motorcyclists that become involved in serious or fatal accidents.
"The scheme is designed for those who are not too proud to admit that a little more training and advice may be helpful," said Pc Martin.
"We fully understand the thrill of riding bikes in fine weather and the peculiar 'bonding' that groups of male riders who have never met before seem to get by riding round in groups, but there are some important factors that must be considered.
"The 'strangers' in your groups may well be better and far more experienced riders than you, and as the speeds and 'thrills' increase, you may find yourself taking unnecessary risks.
"The bike you are riding will doubtlessly have more power than you can handle in some situations, so are you man enough to accept your limits? One mistake could easily kill or maim you or someone else.
"We ask you to seriously consider the consequences. One corner taken too fast or too wide may result in a permanent disability or death.
"If that happened, would you or your family be able to cope, and is it worth the risk? If the answer is no, then hang up your leathers.
"If you insist on riding on the roads, then stay legal. Check to make sure your exhaust and number plates are road legal, because illegal exhausts attract complaints by residents and the more complaints we receive, the more enforcement we will have to carry out.
"If your plates or exhaust are found to be illegal, then you will be stopped and you WILL be prosecuted.
"If you are a wife with a husband who loves riding on sunny weekends (or vice versa), then why not buy them a course for their birthday or for Christmas?
"In the meantime, make sure your family are well insured and hope that we are not the bringers of bad tidings.
"We want motorcyclists to legally enjoy a good ride without upsetting residents, and to live a little longer."
Further information on the EDGE44 programme can be obtained from Pc Martin or any other officer at Whitehill Traffic Police on 0845 045 45 45. For bookings and detailed information, contact EDGE44 on 01962 846767, or visit [email protected]"">[email protected]">[email protected]">[email protected]">[email protected]"">[email protected]">[email protected]">[email protected] .