A police inspector has warned Suffolk motorcyclists of the rising number of collisions that might take place during the warmer summer months. 

Between January and March this year, there have been 49 motorcycle collisions in Ipswich.

Out of this, eight collisions and nine casualties were deemed to be 'serious'. 

It comes after a crash on the A14 at Sproughton which resulted in the death of a 40-year-old in the last week, while other fatal crashes have also been reported on the A14 and A12.

Acting Chief Inspector Gary Miller, of Suffolk police, expects the number of collisions officers are called to to rise during the summer. 

Acting Chief Inspector of Suffok Constabulary said the number of collisions could rise in the summer monthsActing Chief Inspector of Suffolk Constabulary said the number of collisions could rise in the summer months (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

He said: "During the summer you see a lot more people get out of their houses to go on vacation and enjoy the weather, this invariably leads to a larger number of collisions on the streets."

However, Act Ch Insp Miller argued that motorcyclists are more vulnerable on the roads, and issued advice for drivers to follow.

"Motorcyclists need to understand that they aren't protected by a tin structure around them, and car drivers should also not try to cut in front of motorcyclists on the road unnecessarily," he added.

"It's about respect. Give everyone on the road a certain level of respect."

The inspector advised everyone to give each other respect on the roadThe inspector advised everyone to give each other respect on the road (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

So far this year there have been six deaths in Suffolk involving motorcyclists whereas between January and July 2023, there were six deaths - five motorcyclists and one cyclist.

However, while most crashes took place on the busier A roads, Act Ch Insp Miller said that there is no pattern for crashes on the motorway.

He explained that most of Suffolk's single-carriageway rural roads and the A roads are the only ones that can take all types of traffic. 

To prevent crashes, he said: "It is just about doing what is sensible."

"A lot of crashes are still caused by people looking at their phones, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

"It's when your concentration is not completely on the road, which still happens a lot, that can cause a huge number of crashes on the motorway."