Member Article

Campaign To Reduce North East Motorcycle Casualties

A major campaign to reduce the number of motorcycle casualties on North East roads has been launched across the region.

In 2004, 14 motorcyclists were killed and 188 seriously injured in the region. Nationwide, an estimated 1,500 motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured every year when drivers look but fail to see them.

Now a major campaign, carrying the slogan “take longer to look for bikes”, has been launched to encourage urban drivers to be more observant. Department for Transport research shows the most common cause of motorcycle crashes are “right of way violations” where, typically, one vehicle fails to give way to another at a junction.

In nearly two thirds (65%) of these incidents where the driver is at fault, the motorcyclist would have been visible. A poster campaign encourages riders to make themselves clearly visible to car drivers. Stephen Ladyman, Road Safety Minister, said: “A quick glance is not long enough to check if a motorcycle is approaching.

Drivers need to take an extra second or two to look out for bikers. It really can be a lifesaver.“ He added: “’I enjoy biking, but I worry about not being seen. At the same time bikers have a responsibility to look after themselves and make themselves as visible as possible to drivers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .