Thrill-seeking older motorcyclists will be the target of a road safety campaign to reduce the number of accidents across areas of Scotland.

Police Scotland will increase their visibility on various roads across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders in support of the Scottish Government's Live Fast Die Old campaign.

A particular focus of the Scottish Government initiative is middle-aged riders. In 2014 the bulk of motorcycle  40-49 and 50-59-year-olds made up the bulk of motorcycle casualties in 2014.

The purpose of Police Scotland's wider campaign, Operation Zenith, is to monitor targeted roads for dangerous, reckless and illegal driving.

Officers will also seek to engage with motorcyclists to provide guidance on how they can safeguard themselves on Scotland's roads.

Police Scotland’s Divisional and Trunk Roads Policing Units in the east will have a high visibility presence on various roads including the A1, A7, A68, A71, A697, A701, A702, A703, A6094 and A6105.

Last year's Live Fast Die Old campaign focussed on raising awareness of the danger of left-hand bends after statistics showed they accounted for up to one in three fatalities for motorcyclists.

The most recent statistics indicate that this figure is down to around one in four, or 27% of casualties.

The latest figures also indicate that the total number of motorbike fatalities as a result of collisions has risen in the last year.

Transport Scotland has also produced figures showing that riders currently make up only one per cent of the country's traffic but account for 15 per cent of fatalities, the majority of which occur between April and September.

The timing of the campaign is therefore intended to coincide with the beginning of spring as riders hope to take advantage of Scotland's brief window of clement weather.

Sergeant Roger Park of Police Scotland Trunk Road Patrol Group said: “Operation Zenith is a campaign aimed directly at motorcycle safety.

“Motorcycling can be very enjoyable and for many it is an essential way to travel, however riding these vehicles has to be kept within sensible bounds.

“We all have a part to play, however, and I would encourage all motorists and members of the public alike to be mindful of the increased levels on motorcycles that will be on our roads throughout the spring and summer months.

“In addition, we also see a significant increase in the number of slow moving camper vans and caravans, often driven by tourists, who can unfamiliar with the area or indeed with driving on the left side of the road. Motorcycles can be difficult to see and are often hidden or obscured from view by street furniture, areas vegetation and other vehicles.

“We will utilise all means at our disposal to detect and deter inappropriate and anti-social riding and driving and will be robust with motorcyclists as well as drivers of other vehicles who demonstrate a total disregard for road safety, placing themselves and others at risk.”