SAVING a life could be as simple as taking one extra look at a junction.

That is the message from road policing officers across Hampshire this week as they take action to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed on the county's roads.

Motorcyclists make up just one per cent of the total traffic on roads, yet they account for 21 per cent of all road deaths.

It is a stark statistic which officers from the Joint Roads Policing Unit are eager to change.

This week (Aug 28 – Sept 3) officers will be supporting the National Police Chief’s Council’s national campaign to improve motorcycle safety and slash the number of riders who lose their lives or are seriously injured in collisions.

They will be stepping up motorcycle patrols, speaking to both motorcyclists and drivers, who can both take steps to reduce the risk of a collision.

Motorcyclists will be urged to avoid taking unnecessary risks and drivers will be encouraged to take just one extra look at junctions, where many collisions occur with motorcyclists.

Across Hampshire last year there were 737 collisions involving motorcycles, which saw 768 motorcyclists injured and nine of those sadly died.

Particular hotspots in Hampshire include the M3 between junctions 11 and 10 and junctions seven and four, the A34 between the M3 and A33 junction, the M27 between junctions 12 and 10 and eight and five, as well as the A339 and the A31 between the M3 and Ropley Dean.

Road safety sergeant Rob Heard said: “Many collisions with motorcycles occur at junctions and we all need to make sure we look out for approaching motorcycles, which may merge into the background as they approach.

“Motorists just need to give themselves a little extra time to look out for motorcycles, while riders need to make sure they ride safely and not take unnecessary risks.

“This is not about us targeting one group of road users, we are simply reminding people of the potential dangers and hope that both riders and motorists will look out for each other.”