POLICE officers engaged with seven motorcyclists as part of a new safety initiative aimed to reduce rider harm at the weekend.
The rider reflection and safety initiative in the Lothian and Scottish Borders began trial on Saturday, 18 July, and saw drone technology used to support engagement with the motorcycling community and help reduce rider harm.
Within clearly signposted areas, drones were used to support officers in engaging with riders who may benefit from constructive conversations around safer riding choices.
Riders were offered the opportunity to review their footage to reflect on their behaviours that may increase risk on the road.
The initiative follows data published last year by Transport Scotland showing that 18% of all road fatalities were a motorcycle rider or passenger, despite motorcycles only being estimated to account for less than 1% of traffic in Scotland.
During the trial deployment, seven riders were approached and given the opportunity to speak with officers.
Two riders were given warnings re speed and two were issued with vehicle defect forms.
Chief Inspector Greg Burns, East Area Commander for Road policing, said: “The use of drone technology to support rider engagement has been used by other UK forces as part of wider efforts to reduce those killed or seriously injured on the road.
“Our specially trained and experienced motorcycle officers will use the new initiative to start conversations and offer expert advice to riders. This is to help encourage positive reflection and to highlight additional rider training opportunities that are available.
“The focus here is awareness and education. We want to support riders to think more carefully about high-risk manoeuvres such as unsafe overtaking, as well as excessive speed through bends and junctions.
“We continue to remind all road users to be responsible on our roads. We all have a role to play in making sure everyone returns home safely.”
The initiative is being piloted within the Lothian and Scottish Borders divisional area, providing an opportunity to evaluate and inform future road safety activity as part of Police Scotland’s national motorcycle safety campaign.