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TALKS HOPE TO REDUCE BIKER DEATHS
A safety conference is to investigate ways of reducing the number of fatal motorcycle accidents in the Highlands and Islands.
Northern Constabulary and Highland Council will co-host the event at the council's HQ in Inverness on Monday.
Delegates will hear presentations on road safety issues, including education, engineering and changes to the Motorcycle Test in 2008.
In Highland in 2004, there were 32 road deaths, including six motorcyclists.
During the seminar there will also be information about schemes already in place, such as Bike Safe and Bike Aid.
Across Scotland, a total of 986 motorcyclists were injured in road accidents in 2004. Of these, 348 were seriously injured and 41 died.
Many were killed or seriously injured on rural roads.
Northern Constabulary road safety officer, Laura Fisher, said she hoped ideas generated at the conference will reduce accidents.
She said: "One of the force's strategic priorities is to reduce serious and fatal casualties on the roads of the Highlands and Islands and this conference is all about promoting safer motorcycling to all riders, clubs and associated bike users.
"Some of the messages which will be conveyed to delegates will hopefully go some way to preventing future motorcycle tragedies on our roads."
Casualties increasing.
Highland Council's road safety officer, Lisa MacKellaich, said: "In general, progress towards these targets in Scotland and Highland has been excellent.
"However, over recent years the number of motorcycle casualties both locally and nationally has been increasing.
"This Motorcycle Safety Seminar is one part of a programme dedicated to bringing these figures down.
"We as a council have put funding towards both the Bike Safe and Bike Aid Programmes."
Bike Safe is an initiative run by Northern Constabulary.
Officers work with the biking community to help to lower the number of motorcycle rider casualties by passing on their knowledge, skills and experience.
Bike Aid is run alongside Bike Safe in the Highland Council area and is a first aid course designed for motorcyclists delivered by the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/4931542.stm
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