RISING fuel prices has been blamed for an increase in the number of motorcyclists killed on Suffolk roads. Nearly a quarter of road deaths in the county last year involved motorcyclists - a rise of one per cent on the previous year.

RISING fuel prices has been blamed for an increase in the number of motorcyclists killed on Suffolk roads.

Nearly a quarter of road deaths in the county last year involved motorcyclists - a rise of one per cent on the previous year.

Suffolk County Council believe more people were forced to leave their cars at home and switch to two wheels in a bid to save money on petrol.

Overall 31 people were killed in accidents in the county, including seven bikers. This is the lowest fatality figure recorded in Suffolk for ten years.

There was however a 26pc increase in serious injuries from 265 to 333.

Guy McGregor, county council portfolio holder for roads and transport and chairman of the Suffolk Roadsafe Partnership Board, said there appeared to be “a significant increase in motorcycle casualties.”

Inspector Trevor Sharman from Suffolk police, who is in charge of the serious collision investigation team, said while bikers only make up one to three per cent of UK road users, they account for 20pc of all fatalities.