Motorbike Insurance

Several forces in Scotland have suspended usage of a particular model of motorcycle recently deemed to be responsible for the death of a police officer 18 months ago.

Constable David Shreeve of Merseyside Police was killed in November 2005 when he lost control of his Honda ST 1300A on the M56 in Lancashire and collided with a lorry.

The force ceased using the bike as a precautionary measure and an inquest last month indicated that it had indeed been responsible for the 38-year-old's death, as it had begun shaking violently upon reaching 110mph.

In response to this finding, Strathclyde Police has taken its 31 Honda ST 1300s off the road pending further testing, while the two belonging to Central Scotland Police have also been withdrawn.

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A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police explained: "Following a recommendation from [the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)], we have temporarily withdrawn the ST 1300 motorcycles from operational use until a risk assessment has been carried out.

"This is purely a precautionary measure which has been taken in the interest of officer and public safety."

Moreover, the Lothian and Borders force has carried out modifications on its editions of the bike to prevent it reaching speeds of above 100mph.

A spokesman for Honda said that it had been in discussion with ACPO since the inquest and had reached the joint decision that it would be best if police stopped using ST 1300s until further tests could be carried out.

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