A police force has issued an urgent warning ahead of the worst month for collisions across the UK. Warwickshire Police shared key safety advice days ahead of the start of July - which was said to be the 'peak month' for crashes involving motorcyclists.

Officers urged bikers - who represent more than 20 per cent of those killed in crashes - to take extra care and "ride defensively". The force also asked drivers to be extra-vigilant and look "at least twice" for riders, especially when approaching junctions.

In Warwickshire, the causes of collisions included the vehicle driver or rider failing to look properly, failing to judge the other person's path or speed and careless or reckless driving. In others, poor turns or manoeuvre, speeding or losing control contributed to the crashes.

OPU Traffic Inspector Si Paull, a motorcyclist himself, issued his own advice for keeping safe on the roads as his team prepare to increase patrols across the area throughout July. “Our country roads are popular with motorcyclists particularly in the south of the county where we have the Fosse Way and other great routes," he said.

"I’m a motorcyclist myself and although these roads are great fun for bikers, they are challenging and this is where we see the majority of our most serious collisions. As well as making it a habit to keep on learning to become a safer and more skilful biker, we are urging motorcyclists to wear the correct protective clothing, slow down for junctions and make sure they have been seen by drivers particularly when they approach junctions.

“While the majority of motorcyclists enjoy their bikes responsibly, we do not apologise to those who choose to speed that we have increased our patrols and will be using both marked and unmarked bikes and cars to target speeding bikers and drivers during the NPCC Fatal 4 operation from July 1 to 31.“

Warwickshire Police said although "motorcyclists make up fewer than three per cent of vehicles on the UK’s roads, they represented more than 20 per cent of those killed in collisions." The force added: "This is a shocking statistic and whilst we know drivers failing to look properly, especially at junctions can be a major cause of collisions involving motorcyclists, it’s not always the driver that is at fault.

"In Warwickshire between 2019 and 2023 the top contributory factors in collisions involving the more powerful motorbikes 500cc and over, were that the vehicle driver or rider failed to look properly; failed to judge the other person’s path or speed; was careless/reckless/in a hurry; lost control; poor turn or manoeuvre; or exceeded the speed limit. Please don’t be a statistic."

Police are asking bikers to "take responsibility for their own safety on the roads." Their advice includes:

• not speeding or taking risks – ride your own ride
• Improve your skills – sign up for BikeSafe or Biker Down for example
• wear the correct protective clothing and helmet to help protect you if you are involved in a collision
• wear reflective clothing and/or put reflective strips on your bike or helmet
• check your bikes tyres, lights and fluids, looking for any signs of oil, fuel or air leaks
• have regular services and safety checks on your bike, especially if it has not been used for a few weeks.

Drivers are also reminded that motorcyclists are "more vulnerable in a collision" as they don't have the same protection around them as a driver. Their advice to motorists includes:

• Please slow down and take extra care around motorcyclists
• Please look at least twice for motorcyclists particularly at junctions
• Give motorcyclists eye contact so that they know you have seen them
• Inform motorcyclists of your intention to turn or manoeuvre
• Keep your distance from motorcyclists
• Check your blind spots
• Be extra careful when passing motorcyclists