TAYSIDE HAS long been a favoured location for motorcyclists, but while the majority enjoy riding on local roads the death toll remains worryingly high.

In a bid to curb the number of fatal accidents a major safety campaign was launched yesterday at police headquarters in Perth.

The initiative, featuring a high-profile crackdown on speeding, is being spearheaded by Tayside Safety Camera Partnership.

Under the scheme leaflets produced by the partnership containing pertinent advice and information will be distributed at key locations throughout Tayside.

In addition, road safety messages will be broadcast during the summer on a local radio station, reminding bikers TSCP will be out enforcing the speed limit on known motorcycle routes.

As well as providing safety advice to bikers, the leaflets and adverts remind them that cameras will be used to detect those breaking the speed limit.

TSCP recently invested in a new mobile safety camera unit, housing state-of-the-art technology to assist in the detection of speeding motorcyclists.

The Commander System works alongside existing mobile cameras to provide 360-degree vision around a safety camera van.

The system is designed to assist in the identification of motorcycle offenders by recording images when the bike passes the van.

Louise Turner, TSCP’s communications officer, said Perthshire’s roads had a particularly unenviable accident record.

“Tayside is an extremely popular region for bikers, who make extensive use of our country roads, particularly in Perth and Kinross,” she said.

Ms Turner insisted that the main thrust of the campaign would be hammering home the safety message rather than racking up speeding convictions.

“Tayside Safety Camera Partnership wants to ensure that bikers in Tayside enjoy the roads this summer, but that they stay safe at all times,” she continued.

“Our campaign material and the presence of the Commander System will encourage safer, more responsible use of our roads and help us detect irresponsible riders.”

Inspector Ken Brown is head of road policing in western division.

He warned “selfish and irresponsible” riders that they would be harshly dealt with.

“We welcome responsible drivers and motorcyclists to the area and many enjoy our roads by driving and riding safely,” Mr Brown said.

“Unfortunately our experience shows that the reputation of the responsible majority is affected by the behaviour of a selfish and irresponsible minority.

“Allied to the increase of motorcyclists on our roads, the number of collisions involving riders increases during the summer months.

“While the causes of these collisions are varied, in many situations speed is a significant factor.”

Mr Brown called on riders to heed the safety advice being offered during the new campaign.

“Tayside Police is committed to reducing road casualties in the area and welcomes the work carried out by the partnership in contributing to casualty reduction,” he continued.

Between 2003 and 2007 in Tayside there were 423 collisions involving motorcyclists.

A total of 209 riders or passengers were killed or seriously injured over the same period.