MORE than 100 motorcyclists were stopped across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the latest campaign for safer riding.

Hampshire Constabulary has revealed figures after a nationwide initiative urging motorcyclists to stay safe on the roads.

The total number of motorcyclists either stopped and given advice or reported for criminal offences, or involved in a collision across the county was 138.

Hampshire Constabulary’s road safety officer, Sergeant Rob Heard said: “This campaign week was a useful opportunity to remind riders that they should be as visible as possible on the road, and riding in an appropriate way to the road and weather conditions, particularly as summer moves into autumn.”

Figures from the campaign week, which ran from August 31 and September 5, revealed out of the 138 motorcyclists five were involved in a collision.

Offences by riders included 24 per cent speeding, 14 per cent careless riding, 15 per cent had construction and use offences and 47 per cent had not committed an offence but were given advice.

Types of roads where motorcyclists were stopped were 77 per cent urban, 14 per cent rural, six per cent on the motorway and three per cent on other roads.

Sergeant Heard added: “We must avoid any complacency because statistics suggest that motorcyclists remain the road user group with the highest rate of collisions and casualties per mile travelled. Motorcyclists make up just one per cent of total road traffic but account for 19 per cent of all road user deaths.

“All of us have a responsibility to ‘Think Bike’ because many collisions with motorcycles can happen at junctions. It’s important for both drivers and riders to allow extra time to show mutual consideration and respect on the roads.”