Police warn bikers over 'season of death'

'BEHAVE YOURSELF' - that's the Easter message Bexhill traffic police are sending to motorcyclists in the wake of recent accidents on the area's roads.

Officers are aiming to prevent a so-called, 'season of death' as the improving weather and the holiday period encourages more riders to take to the highways.

Only last week, 23-year-old Jason Montague, died on King Offa Way in an accident involving a sports bike.

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It was the third motorcycle-related death in the county to occur only days into the traditional biking summer season.

It is not yet known if speed was a factor in the March 27 death-crash, but the Bexhill-based road policing unit are determined to prevent the death toll rising.

"We are very concerned about this," said Sergeant Paul Masterson. "We consider the motorcycling season to run from mid-March to September and we've had three fatalities in just the opening two weeks."

"Sports bikes are the cause of 25% of the deaths on our roads but form only 2% of the road population. It's the only area on the increase and is completely disproportionate. The message is that we want sports bike riders to ride carefully through the area. If you do that we welcome and encourage you.

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"But if you are in a 30 miles per hour or a 40 miles per hour limit then behave yourselves. The main cause of motorcycle fatalities is the rider losing control because they are riding beyond their capabilities."

The call for motorcyclists on the town's roads to be more aware comes just days before the launch of a major county-wide operation to educate sports bike riders.

The Don't Be A Spoil Sport campaign aims to drive the message home through education and will be supported through a government ad campaign.

The initiative will be launched next Wednesday and Sgt Masterson is hopeful motorcyclists will get the message - have fun but don't endanger lives.

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He said: "Throughout the summer we will be giving out advice, riding tips and leaflets."

Traffic police are gearing themselves for the May bank holiday when an estimated 20,000 bikes will descend on Hastings, creating potential flash points on Bexhill's roads.

"That's the big one as far as we're concerned, " added Sgt Masterson. "We are not expecting an overly large number of bikes this Easter weekend, but people should still ride carefully."

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