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Operation Zenith hammers home loose chips safety message

A north-east road safety campaign is calling on motorcyclists to take care when travelling on roads with loose chips in order to cut the number of road accidents in the area.

Operation Zenith was launched in April 2010 by Road Safety Grampian, a partnership between Grampian Police and Grampian Fire and Rescue Service with support from Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, and Moray Councils.

It seeks to educate motorcyclists by actively targeting behaviours and related offences.

Previously the campaign has used targeted enforcement, ‘bikesafe’ training courses and new motorcycle signs to hammer home the safe riding message.

Now the campaign is targeting motorcyclists to remind them of the risks when riding on loose chips.

Aberdeenshire Council sprays and chips over one million square metres of road every year as an essential part of keeping the network serviceable.

However, although the surface can be driven on almost immediately, it is vital that all motorists reduce their speed to a maximum of 20mph until the surface has settled and all the loose chips are removed.

Motorcyclists are vulnerable on loose surfaces and as part of Operation Zenith’s drive to improve safety for motorcyclists, Aberdeenshire Council provides updates on which roads are being resurfaced at: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roadclosures

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Peter Argyle, said: “To motorcyclists, and motorists more generally, our advice is to keep an eye out for signs indicating loose chips and to observe the 20mph speed limit.

"I would also take this opportunity to ask all road users to help us make our roads safer through adopting the following road safety message promoted by Operation Zenith – Look Twice... Think Bike... Think Biker."

Vice-chair of the committee, Cllr Jill Webster, added: “Rolling programmes of road surface repairs are taking place across our area and it is very important road users observe the speed restrictions put in place.

“Motorbikes are particularly vulnerable when loose chippings have been spread and Operation Zenith is playing a crucial role in highlighting this road safety message.”

Inspector Jim Wood from Grampian Police, added: “We all have a role to play in improving road safety and are working together with one aim - to reduce motorcycle collisions on north east roads.”

For further information on safer biking in Scotland and other information on road safety, please visit: www.aroundthecorner.org.uk

For more information on Operation Zenith, please visit: www.grampian.police.uk/operationzenith

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