POLICE are launching a campaign to tackle the number of motorcyclists killed on Hampshire roads.

It comes days after one county road was named the seventh most hazardous for bikers in the south – the A27 through Fareham.

The ranking comes after an investigation by Swinton Insurance, with figures showing 11 serious accidents on the road in the space of 12 months.

Last month Mark Copley, from Basingstoke, died after suffering serious injuries following a crash at the A27 Eastern Road junction and the M27 junction 12.

The crossover is one of the areas that police will be targeting over the next seven days, supporting the national police chief’s council’s campaign to improve motorcycle safety.

Other areas labelled as hotspots include the A34 between the M3 and A33 and the M27 between junctions eight and five.

Leader of Fareham Borough Council Sean Woodward said: “Whenever there is a road fatality there is a major investigation and if there are recommendations regarding changes then the highway authority takes those very seriously.

“The majority of incidents involve some form of error by the rider or driver and there needs to be a far greater mutual awareness. The road itself rarely plays a part.”

According to police, motorcyclists make up one percent of road traffic but account for 21 percent of all road deaths.

Across Hampshire in 2016, there were 737 collisions involving motorcycles, with nine being killed.

Road safety 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.

“This is not about us targeting one group of road users, we are simply reminding people of the potential dangers and hope that both riders and motorists will look out for each other.”

Officers are encouraging bikers to avoid taking unnecessary risks, with drivers told to take one extra look at junctions.