Speedy surveillance motorbikes will be introduced in Croatia to curb road death toll

Croatia's police introduced five racing motorcycles equipped with speed-measuring devices to patrol its new highways and help curb the country's high road death toll, according to the Interior Ministry.

The high-powered vehicles are designed to force speeding traffic offenders, who regularly outpace police patrol cars, to slow down.

Croatia recently completed more than 250 miles of freeways connecting the country's north and south, but the wider roads have done little to stem the high death toll.

More than 700 people have been killed in road accidents in the last five months across the country of 4.5 million, police said. The speed limit on freeways is 80 mph, though many drivers ignore it.

The new police motorcycles can go faster than 186 mph, but will not engage in high-speed chases when they hit Croatia's highways later this year.

Instead, they will take instant photos of traffic offenders or apprehend them at regular pit-stops, such as gas stations or toll booths.

The motorbikes, which will cost more than US$16,400, will have large flashing lights in their rear, signaling "STOP - police," to slow down speeders.

Last year, the government also introduced a zero-tolerance alcohol policy as part of its get-tough road and traffic campaign, the AP reports.