Look twice for motorbikes car drivers told

3 June 2008

Look twice for motorbikes car drivers told

Surrey Police and Surrey County Council are warning car drivers to look twice for motorbikes, as part of their campaign to increase motorcyclist safety and reduce casualties and collisions on the roads.

Research has shown that the single largest cause of motorcycle collisions across the country is driver behaviour at junctions. Nearly 40 per cent of collisions involve right of way violations, of which less than 20 per cent are fully or partly the fault of the motorcyclist. Around two thirds are caused by car drivers failing to see a motorcyclist who should be clearly visible.

Chief Inspector Stuart Sang, head of Surrey's Roads Policing Unit, added: "Most motorists have no idea of the potential performance of a modern motorbike, which makes it vitally important for drivers to double check for bikes every time they pull out from a junction, take a right turn or go to overtake a vehicle in front.

"There are also steps motorcyclists can take to reduce the risk in these situations. They can make themselves more visible by wearing reflective clothing and using a dipped headlight. They can also take an advanced training course, which will teach them how to avoid putting themselves at risk by riding defensively and expecting the unexpected."

Despite accounting for just one per cent of road users, around a quarter of all fatal collisions in Surrey involve motorcyclists. In 2007, 18 riders were killed and 133 were seriously injured in collisions, making it a priority for all Surrey's organisations working together to make Surrey's roads safer.

Chief Inspector Sang added: "Surrey Police is determined to reduce the number of people killed or injured on the county's roads and, with our partners, is specifically aiming to increase motorcyclist safety over the summer months with both operational and educational activity. This began over the early May bank holiday when officers handed out safety advice at popular meeting points such as Box Hill and Newlands Corner, where the majority of the motorcyclists we came into contact with were supportive of the enhanced police activity."

David Munro, Surrey County Council Executive Member for Transport, commented: "Car drivers must learn to look twice for bikes as they are harder to see than cars and it is easy to misjudge how far away they are. What is tragic about these figures is that the people who are more likely to be killed or injured are often completely blameless."

As part of the campaign, motorcyclists have the chance to win a MotorSport Vision track day or an advanced riding lesson from Genesis Yamaha. Enter online at www.surreycc.gov.uk/roadsafety or request an entry form from Surrey County Council on 08456 009009. The competition will run until 30 June 2008.