THE DEATH toll of motorcyclists killed on northern roads is about to hit yet another record this year and prompt an unprecedented crackdown by police.

Despite years of warnings and campaigns aimed at educating riders how to behave, the carnage on the region's roads shows no signs of slowing down.

Three more riders lost their lives over the weekend - two in North Yorkshire and one in Northumberland.

Police in North Yorkshire claimed both had lost control of their machines - taking the total number of motorcycle deaths in the county this year to 20.

In North Yorkshire the figure is fast approaching that of last year, which stands at an all-time high of 23.

And, with forecasts of the hot summer still to come, the outlook could be bleak.

North Yorkshire and the North-East have become a magnet for riders looking to enjoy the challenging country roads.

But North Yorkshire, in particular, has paid a heavy price.

Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "When temperatures heat up, tens of thousands of motorcyclists come to North Yorkshire. An overwhelming majority of them have a nice trip out but an unfortunate number don't ever return home."

With its 6,000 miles of roads and beautiful scenery, it is not surprising that the county attracts so many bikers, but it does mean police have to work hard to prevent an even higher annual death toll.

"We have a great number of both on-going and new initiatives and campaigns running across the county, particularly in the Dales and Moors, to crack down on motorcycle accidents," said Mr Lidgate.

"Bike Safe was launched in 1997 and promotes advanced riding education, combined with targeted enforcement of the laws governing dangerous or anti-social riding."

However, the numbers of riders and pillion passengers killed on the county's roads jumped from ten in 1999, to 13 in 2001 and sharply to 23 last year.

"The increase has coincided with the rapid growth in the sales of high performance machines," said Mr Lidgate.

Police chiefs say bikers stopped for speeding can expect no mercy.

Police yesterday identified one of the motorcyclists who died on the Hawes to Ingleton Road on Sunday as Michael Dobson, 41, of Fallswood Grave, Leeds.