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 and the Thames Valley this week as they take action to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed on our roads.

Motorcyclists make up just one per cent of the total traffic on our 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, from August 28 to September 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 the Joint Operations Unit in 2016, there were 1,366 collisions involving motorcycles, which resulted in 1,423 casualties, including 22 fatalities.

In Hampshire during the same period, there were 737 collisions involving motorcycles, which saw 768 motorcyclists injured, nine of whom 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 (Alton to Basingstoke road and beyond) 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.”

To help drive home this message, joint roads policing unit will also be sharing some short films shot from the view of a police officer on a motorcycle.

Sgt Heard added: “We have created some short films for safe riding from a police officer’s view, which highlight what hazards riders need to be aware of and how to reduce the risks of riding in different situations.”