Welsh police target motorcyclists
Illegal modifications could see riders fined or their bikes seized
North Wales Police are targeting loud cans and small plates after a series of crashes in the region. So far in 2018 eight riders have been killed, one more than were killed in the entirety of 2017. “Reducing casualties remains one of our top priorities,” says Superintendent Jane Banham from the Force’s Operational Support Services Unit. “We are doing all we can to ensure our roads are used safely by all, with our dedicated Roads Policing Units taking robust action to prevent fatal or serious road traffic collisions.” As part of ‘Operation Darwen’, patrols are looking at all vehicles and ensuring they are roadworthy and legal. Last weekend a member of the Special Constabulary Road Safety Team stopped a bike with defective rear brakes. The right hand brake pad had completely worn out while the left hand rear brake pad had broken away from its backing plate. Officers are also checking number plates on all vehicles as part of the campaign and will take a zerotolerance approach on those with illegal number plates or not displaying their number plates.
“Sadly we see many motorcycles with illegal number plates,” adds Banham. “Last weekend we stopped one who had ‘Catch me if you can’ in text on the registration plate. Those caught with small plates will be issued with a Traffic Offence Report that will see them being fined £100.” There were also reports that the Police were stopping riders with illegal exhausts and contacting insurers at the roadside, however the Police said that while they have been issuing tickets for illegal exhaust, they have not been contacting insurers.
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‘Dedicated units are taking robust action’ SUPERINTENDANT JANE BANHAM