SPEED cameras and all kinds of other traffic calming measures are being used to try to cut the road accident toll. Some would claim that they do little more than aggravate drivers but the fact remains that in many areas the relentless rise in road accidents has been brought under control.

But sadly one category of casualty continues to increase - that of motorcyclists killed, especially on rural roads.

So pronounced is the increased death toll, which includes East Lancashire and areas like the Ribble Valley, that it has provoked both Government and industry concern.

While anyone who has ridden motorbikes will know that inattentive car and lorry drivers are a big problem, the biggest killer of motorcyclists is, quite simply, speed.

Modern machines capable of 150mph plus have acceleration figures that match those of Formula One racing cars - and need a lot of managing and quick reactions.

That means education and it is pleasing to see World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson, from Burnley, joining forces with police and other groups to spearhead a national safety campaign aimed at riders.

Hopefully it will succeed in reducing the needless slaughter by persuading motorcyclists, as Neil Hodgson says, "to leave the races to the aces".