DYFED Powys Police are launching a motorcycle safety campaign this Easter weekend as they aim to reduce biker deaths on Powys roads.

Operation Darwen comes into effect at an opportune time as roads and beauty spots in Powys have opened up in recent weeks and the easing of lockdown restrictions across the nation continues.

This weekend’s operation is part of the force’s overall Fatal 5 campaign launched at the beginning of March, which focuses on the five most significant collision factors in fatal and serious injury collisions.

Powys Roads Policing Unit tweeted: “Easter weekend sees the start of #OpDarwen in @DyfedPowys, aiming to reduce motorcycle deaths on our roads.

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“Think about your skill fade – remember we've been in lockdown. Think about maintenance – if you haven't used your bike get it checked.

“Think about other road users – whoever is at fault you are the vulnerable road user. Consider taking additional training, either through a private riding school or @BikeSafeUK (we will publish our dates when available). Ride defensively, like you're invisible.

“We want safe and responsible bikers to visit us. We want you to make it home at the end of your day. We'll be working with @DocBike_Wales to push safe riding on our roads.

“We will target and prosecute dangerous driving and riding. Please, all road users, to be respectful to each other, to our local residents and visitors. Come to us and enjoy our roads, safely.”

Wales’ ‘stay local’ rule was lifted last Saturday, allowing travel to anywhere in the country – which led to large volumes of traffic on the roads as people went further than they’ve been allowed to in months.

First minister Mark Drakeford announced a host of changes to lockdown restrictions on Thursday that will see the nation opening up more in the next month, which includes people being allowed to leave and enter Wales from April 12 – which will mean an influx of traffic on Welsh roads.