A dedicated road safety campaign, focused on improving motorcyclist safety and reducing motorcycle-related deaths and injuries on the roads of North Wales is underway.
Operation Apex runs from early spring through until the autumn, covering a period that sees the highest number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads. The campaign is aimed at promoting rider safety and will see high visibility patrols being carried out along key routes which have been identified as risk areas.
Bringing together riders, enforcement and partners, Op Apex aims to promote safer riding habits, increase awareness of key dangers and encourage shared responsibility among all road users. Through targeted action and education, the campaign sets out to make a lasting impact – ensuring every journey is safer for all motorcyclists across our region.
The campaign also coincides with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) 2-Wheel Operation – running from 1st to the 14th June which aims to raise awareness about how to improve driver and rider behaviour in the name of safety.
Over the coming months, officers from the Roads Crime Unit will be on active patrol across the region and will also be engaging with riders at popular biker meeting spots.
Chief Inspector Rob Rands, of North Wales Police’ Operational Support Services said: “Sadly, motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable groups of road users, and they are at a higher risk of injury and collision than other road users. Although a motorcyclist may not be at fault, their vulnerability invariable means that they suffer more serious injuries in a collision.
As well as patrolling the region’s roads, North Wales Police will also be working closely with NPAS (National Police Air Service) by utilising the helicopter as part of the patrol plan.
Officers will be provided with live data - highlighting areas where motorcyclists are gathering, and more importantly, highlighting where motorcycles are being ridden anti-socially and dangerously. The aircraft will direct officers on the ground to their location where the officers will stop and speak to the motorcyclists.
Sergeant Leigh McCann of the Roads Crime Unit said: “We’d like to thank NPAS for their continued support with our road safety campaign.
“We are committed to keeping people safe on the roads of north Wales - we want them to enjoy the roads but most of all we want them to ride and drive safely and responsibly.
“As a keen motorcyclist myself, I know that I and my fellow motorcyclist colleagues not only understand the risks, but we are passionate about how we can work together to reduce collisions.
“Whilst the vast majority of motorists ride or drive appropriately, we will continue to target - with a view to prosecution, all those that ride or drive dangerously, at excess speed, overtake on solid white lines or commit any other road traffic offences.
“Over the coming months we will be out at popular biker meeting points, and we encourage all motorists, if they see us, to come over for a chat.”
Motorcyclists are being urged to take full advantage of the BikeSafe workshops which are planned for the year ahead. Bookings can be made via www.bikesafe.co.uk
Follow the Roads Crime Unit on Facebook via @NWPRPU or follow the hashtags on social media by using #OpApex #ThinkLife and #Fatal5