We’re trying to prevent any SMIDSY moments this weekend! 🏍️ 

Across the bank holiday weekend, we will be working on a motorcycle road safety campaign that focuses on common collisions.

Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You! (SMIDSY!) is a phrase commonly heard by motorcyclists who have come to an abrupt halt when a vehicle pulls out in front of them. 

These “SMIDSY” incidents are one of the leading causes of motorcycle collisions and SMIDSY moments are the focus of a new national police campaign that we are taking part in this weekend. 

Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users featuring 

disproportionately in road collisions in the UK. 

As part of our operation over the Easter weekend we will be reminding all road users on how to ride and drive responsibly on the roads and where necessary this will involve enforcement. 

We will be using our unmarked H2 Kawasaki road bike. This machine is equipped with blue lights, a siren and a 4K camera which will be used to secure evidence. 

As well as this, we will also deploy several police bikes and cars, some of which will be marked and some unmarked as well as our safety camera vans on key routes across the county. 

Our officers and police volunteers will also 

be using an engagement trailer at well-known hotspots to talk to riders about their ride preparation and behaviour on the road network.

We know that the vast majority of motorcyclists will travel into North Yorkshire from other areas so we will be working with nine police forces in the North of England to ensure that there is a high visibility police presence on county borders.

Inspector Clive Turner from our Roads Policing Group, said: “North Yorkshire is home to two national parks as well as 6,000 miles of road. We want people to enjoy travelling here but not at the expense of other road users. 

“Engagement is a key part of this Easter’s 

operation but where necessary we will use enforcement to prosecute as dangerous driving or riding is not acceptable. 

“Sadly, my team and I are familiar with the devastating consequences that are caused by serious and fatal road traffic collisions. We will deploy on this operation with the mindset of doing everything that we can to ensure that everyone who is on the county’s road network this Easter goes home safely.

“I would urge riders and drivers to think about their behaviour and what changes they could make to improve their own safety and that of other road users.”