Tragically, two motorcyclists have lost their lives in separate incidents in Tayside over the last fortnight.

A Dutch tourist was killed in a collision in Perthshire and a young Angus man died when his motorbike was involved in a road traffic collision near Kirriemuir.

Their untimely deaths highlight the need for every motorcyclist and road user to take the utmost care on the roads and to put road safety above all else.

The appeal comes as forces across Scotland participate in the Country Roads Weekend (Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18).

It is one of four weekends held throughout the year to highlight policing activity throughout Scotland that is aimed at reducing the numbers of road users who are killed or seriously injured on country roads.


Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, head of road policing in Tayside said:
"We want motorcyclists and all drivers to take care at all times and the message this weekend is take particular care on country roads. We have many rural roads throughout the Tayside area, which provide routes to some of the finest scenery in Scotland. But my note of caution is that two out of three of all fatalities arising from collisions happen on country roads.

"By design, motorcycles and therefore motorcyclists are more vulnerable than many other road users. In the event of a collision, they are almost certain to suffer injury and are at greater risk to serious injury and even death.

"From May onwards, there is a big increase in tourists on our roads in Tayside. Many are motorcyclists, however, the majority are not. A large proportion of them, whether in a car or on a motorbike, are unfamiliar with the roads they are travelling on and I would ask every road user to bear this in mind and to exercise the greatest caution."

While the number of road fatalities and seriously injured drivers and passengers has dropped substantially in Scotland since 2001, the number of collisions resulting in fatalities and serious injuries with motorcyclists has increased during the past decade.

Chief Inspector Bowman said: "Road safety can never be taken for granted whether on a motorway, in a built up area or on a country road.

A seemingly traffic-free quiet country road demands as much consideration to safety as any other carriageway and drivers and motorcyclists must resist any temptation to speed.

"There can be hidden dangers, particularly if the country road in question is an unfamiliar one to the road user. Hidden junctions, field and farm entrances, slow moving agricultural vehicles, all have to be anticipated. Drivers and motorcyclists should also expect to encounter, horses, pedestrians, cyclists, caravans and even drivers who perhaps got lost along the way and are making an unexpected manoeuvre. No one can afford to be blasé on a country road. Everyone needs to be alert to the unexpected."

Chief Inspector Bowman also urged motorcyclists not to overestimating their abilities in handling their motorcycle, particularly powerful machines. Many motorcycles are 'put away' for the winter months and their owners need to attune themselves to handling their bike again.

Throughout the weekend's campaign Tayside Police officers will deploy to areas of concern in an effort to influence road users' behaviour and encourage responsible driving and motorcycling.