A new ‘TWIST’ to solve an old problem

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Road Safety Partnership (CPRSP) has launched a new campaign to persuade powered two wheeler (P2W) riders to take additional training in order to enhance their skills and keep them safer on the roads.

The campaign, ‘TWIST’ (That’s why I should Think!), encourages riders to think about further training and equip themselves with additional knowledge and skill to avoid being in a collision.

In the three year period 2010 to 2012 there were 870 P2W casualties in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, 16 of which were fatal.

There is a lot of debate about why the PTW casualty figures are so high, both regionally and nationally, but the fact is that if a rider has a collision with another vehicle he or she will almost certainly come off worst. CPRSP has developed TWIST in a bid to try and address this issue.

TWIST takes a novel and tongue-in-cheek approach to what is a very serious issue; the main element of the campaign is an animation running on YouTube and the TWIST website.

PC Simon Burgin, spokesperson for the CPRSP, said: “We’re not pointing the finger at riders, but we are saying that they have a duty of care to look after their own well-being.

“Even in situations where a driver makes a mistake, extra training – whether it be ScooterSafe or BikeSafe – can help a rider anticipate this and take appropriate action to avoid a collision or minimise the implications if a collision is inevitable.”

‘TWIST’ will run throughout summer 2013 and into the latter part of the year and training courses are being set up for both motorcycle and scooter riders.

David Frost, road safety consultant for Stennik, who developed the campaign on behalf of CPRSP, said: “We’ve developed this partnership campaign in consultation with riders and based on the casualty data.

“TWIST training is what all riders should have on their minds every time they twist the throttle. Drivers should also pick up on the mantra ‘That’s why I should Think – Bike."

Dave Hammond, Motorcycle Action Group, said: “The campaign gets its message across in a humorous way but it’s certainly not funny when riders get caught out by their own actions or those of other road users in real life.

“Anything to raise awareness to rider safety, improve skills through training and reduce casualties should be taken seriously.”

For more information contact David Frost on 07450 415 291.