News

19 May 2008
SEVEN MOTORCYCLISTS INJURED IN SERIES OF WEEKEND CRASHES

A MOTORCYCLIST was clocked at speeds of almost 130mph in the Lothian and Borders area during the latest in a series of police initiatives to make country roads safer.

The 25-year-old motorcyclist was observed doing over 95 mph near Greenlaw and during a police pursuit was observed at speeds reaching nearly 130 mph before he was stopped. He has been charged with speeding, dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

During the second in a series of "Country Roads Weekends 2008" co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) five motorcyclists and two pillion passengers were also injured.

On Saturday, a 25-year-old male motorcyclist was reported for riding dangerously, excessive speed and manner of riding, within Elgin Town Centre.  A report from Grampian Police has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

In Fife, two male motorcyclists, age 30 and 27, were reported for speeds in excess of 100 mph on the A92 while a 24-year-old female motorcyclist was reported for careless driving Guardbridge to Dairsie Road.  In addition, a 21-year-old male motorcyclist was reported for dangerous driving - riding at speeds in excess of 100 mph on A91 between Auchtermuchty and Gateside and riding hands free from the handlebars.

In Strathclyde, where six motorcyclists were reported for speeding, one motorcyclist was slightly injured in a crash.

Throughout the country, Scotland’s eight police forces carried out regular road policing activities but with an accent on motorcyclists driving inappropriately, particularly on country roads.

In Tayside, a crash involving a motorcycle on the A822 in Perthshire saw a 47-year-old male and his 34-year-old female pillion passenger seriously injured. The female was airlifted to hospital and the condition of both has since improved.

In Dumfries and Galloway, a 30-year-old male sustained serious leg injuries after he collided with a van in Dumfries. Both the motorcycle and the van sustained extensive damage. The motorcyclist was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary where he received treatment for his injuries.

On Saturday in Grampian, where there were six crashes involving motorcyclists, a 22-year-old male rider lost control of his motorcycle on the A98 Huntly to Banff Road near Aberchirder.  Both he and his15-year-old female passenger were thrown from the bike and received minor injuries.  The female was held in hospital overnight for observations but sustained no serious injury. 

In Dumfries and Galloway, a 48-year-old male was slightly injured when he fell from his motorcycle after hitting sheep on the B797 near Wanlockhead.

On Sunday 18 May, Central Scotland Police responded to a reported crash on the A84 near to Leny Falls, where a 35-year-old male motorcyclist lost control, crossed onto the southbound carriageway, struck and on-coming vehicle then collided head-on with another vehicle.  The rider struck the windscreen before being catapulted into air and landing on windscreen of a following car.  He sustained severe bruising and his motorcycle was destroyed.

And on Saturday 17 May, a 15-year-old male from Inverurie (near Aberdeen) was reported for theft of his father’s quad bike.  He was also reported for driving without a driving licence, no insurance, and dangerous driving.  A report will be sent to the Children's Reporter.