CORONORS across North Yorkshire have issued a plea to motorcyclists and car drivers to cut the soaring death toll on the county's roads.

They spoke as the toll for motorcyclist deaths on North Yorkshire's roads this year rose to 27 - four more than for the whole of 2002.

Only yesterday the coroner for the western district of North Yorkshire, Geoff Fell, presided at the inquests of motorcyclists James Blake and Donna Lambert, both of whom died accidentally in crashes near Selby in March.

Mr Fell called on bikers to consider taking advanced driving lessons to equip them for using North Yorkshire's roads

Mr Fell said: "When you pass your test it is not the end, it is the beginning. It only takes one error of judgement and a fatality occurs.

"It is clear that North Yorkshire's roads are proving hugely attractive to bikers from across the region but sadly far too many never return home."

Mr Fell said car drivers also had an important role to play.

He added: "Both car drivers and motorbike riders need to look out for each other. The police and the county council are at their wits end trying to get the message across.

"We cannot put up with the death toll on the roads."

Michael Oakley, the North Yorkshire East Coroner, who is dealing with many of this year's fatal motorcycle accidents, supported Mr Fell's calls for training which he said could especially benefit younger, less-experienced bikers.

But he added: "It is not always about inexperience - it can be a burst of speed and adrenaline."

He said that he had held an inquest on a highly-qualified motorcyclist who had lost control of his machine while conducting a sudden overtaking manoeuvre.

"He was a very advanced rider, almost to police standards, yet he did something which astounded those with him," said Mr Oakley.

Mr Oakley said that motorcyclists could be very "intimidating", and they had to realise that they "don't own the road", but every fatality had to be treated on the facts.

The coroners urged motorcyclists to seek advice from RoSPA, the Institute of Advanced Motorists or the North Yorkshire County Council road safety officer David Lindsay on 01609 780780.

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, September 30, 2003