POLICE have staged a week-long campaign focusing on 'vulnerable' road users in the region – including pedestrians, cyclists and motorbikers.

Officers from West Yorkshire's roads policing unit carried out work to raise awareness of dangers.

The initiative included checks around schools, to ensure people were driving at safe speeds and parking considerately, and that young passengers were wearing seatbelts.

West Yorkshire Police organised the effort to coincide with a National Police Chiefs' Council Vulnerable Road Users Week of Action.

Sergeant Chris Robinson, of the West Yorkshire roads policing unit, says: "This week was about raising awareness with everyone who uses our road network regarding what they can do to keep themselves and others safe.

"Drivers of course have a huge part to play in this. Those who can cause the most harm, carry the most responsibility. All drivers should be considering whether they are fit and well to drive every time they get behind the wheel. They also need to make sure they understand the Highway Code and how much space they should be giving other road users like cyclists and horse riders.

"The responsibility does not end with drivers though. Anyone using the road needs to consider whether they can be seen, where they are positioning themselves in the highway and what safety equipment they should be wearing. Just as the driver of a car, van or HGV needs to make sure their vehicle is in good working order, so too do owners of pedal cycles and motorcycles.

"The reality is that most of us don’t just fit into one camp. You might not think about how much your vulnerability changes, but all of us at some point will be classed as a vulnerable road user."

Latest figures show that motorcyclists make up three per cent of road users, but more than 20 per cent of those killed on the roads.

And research has found that on average it takes a commuting cyclist just a week before they experience a "very scary" incident.

During the campaign, special scrutiny was made of any data relating to collisions involving vulnerable road users.

West Yorkshire Police are currently working with partners, as part of Vision Zero, with the aim of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on the region's roads.

Improving safety for all road users, including pedestrians, is also amongst the priorities in the West Yorkshire police and crime plan.