Bikers urged to take it easy as death and injury toll is revealed

Three riders were killed between 2010 and 2015, while 35 were seriously injured and a further 82 received slight injuries after coming off their bikes.

Motorcyclists are 38 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than car driver.

Chairman of Road Safety GB North East Paul Watson said figures are expected to peak as Easter approaches.

Paul said: “It’s the time of year when bikers like to get their machines out and tour around the region, so understandably we tend to see a sharp rise in accidents involving motorcyclists between March and October.

“Failure to look properly is a factor in almost half of the accidents involving bikes and quite often riders simply lose control of their vehicles.

Accidents involving motorcycles of 500cc and over tend to peak in March/April and continue that way until September/October.

Lead member for area management and community safety, Coun Tracey Dixon, said: “Although South Tyneside has considerably fewer people sustaining injuries than other parts of the North East, any accident in the borough is one too many.”

Northumbria Police Motor Patrols’ Chief Inspector, John Heckels, said: “Operation Dragoon is an ongoing operation which targets dangerous drivers and aims to help educate the people about how to stay safe.