New road safety initiative

Police Scotland have announced a new initiative to make roads safer for everyone. Through ‘Operation Zenith’,  Police in the Highland and Islands Division are keen to raise awareness and inform all road users of the increased risk of road traffic collisions involving motorcyclists over the spring and summer months.

‘Operation Zenith’ will run between April,17 and  September, 28, 2014, and will focus on improving rider behaviour. The initiative is  particularly aimed at the contributory factors which result in riders being killed or seriously injured.

Divisional Road Policing Unit Inspector Neil Lumsden said: “Twelve motorcyclists died as a result of road traffic collisions in the Highlands and Islands Division between 2012 and 2013 and we deal with more killed or seriously injured motorcycle collisions than any other Division in Scotland. We are keen to raise awareness of the vulnerability of this group of road users, both to motorcyclists and to other road users.

“As part of the operation, we will be conducting high visibility patrols on the areas most popular motorcycle routes, engaging with motorcyclists to improve rider attitudes, promote safer riding and enforce legislation in respect of any motoring offences.”