Hampshire’s road safety team has launched a five-month campaign to tackle the over-representation of motorcyclists in casualty figures.
The campaign utilises the THINK! ‘Named Rider’ creative on bus backs across the county, in a bid to personalise bikers in the minds of other road users.
Last year in Hampshire there were 570 casualties involving power two wheelers; 75% of these occurred in daylight and 57% within a 30mph speed limit.
Karen Dockree, Hampshire’s road safety services manager, said: “This campaign aims to get drivers to think about the person riding the bike, and start to take more notice of people riding their motorcycles.
“Bikes are easy to miss because they are so much narrower than cars. I’d urge drivers to be vigilant by getting them to think about the life of the person behind the visor and keep looking out for motorcyclists – especially at junctions – and always check your mirrors for bikers.”
Inspector Martin Goodall, Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Many of the collisions we see involving bikers are highly preventable, whether it’s riders taking unnecessary risks or drivers not thoroughly checking before pulling out.
“Campaigns such as the DfT’s ‘Named Rider’ initiative will go some way to making drivers consider how a momentary lapse can end another person’s life. It is incumbent on all road users to keep a look out for each other.
“Car drivers need to think about bikers and cyclists and be mindful of their vulnerability. Everyone has the right to use the road, everyone wants the same thing out of their journey: to get safely to the other end. Take more time to look, allow a little more time for your journey. Take care and share the road. There is enough room for everyone.”
Hampshire council is offering free Think Bike, Think Biker! car stickers and rider information leaflets with offers on clothing. Click here for more information about the campaign or contact Charlotte Tilling on 01962 847666.
I would like to see more posters on the back of buses and/or other public service vehicles which could have easy to read and short but important notices on them such as “KEEP YOUR DISTANCE”, “OBEY THE TWO SECOND RULE” etc, or sections of the Highway Code to reinforce some good safety advice.
bob craven Lancs
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Did u know that in the Highway Code it says that u should look out for bikes and twv travelling on the nearside of traffic if one is to pull out at a junction, but it makes no mention at all of being aware of twv on the offside of such traffic that would be hidden by stationary or slow moving vehicles.
bob Craven Lancs.
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