The Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership has launched a new campaign encouraging drivers to look at least twice for motorcyclists, especially at junctions.
Although motorcyclists make up less than 3% of vehicles on the UK’s roads, they represent more than 20% of those killed. Analysis shows 46-65 year old leisure riders on high powered bikes are particularly at risk in Warwickshire.
Whilst drivers or riders ‘failing to judge the other person’s path or speed’ and ‘failing to look properly’ can be a major cause of collisions involving motorcyclists, ‘loss of control’ and ‘poor turn or manoeuvre’ also featured in collisions involving these types of bikes between 2019-2023.
As well as encouraging drivers to look at least twice for motorcyclists, the campaign also encourages bikers to upskill.
Warwickshire says now is the perfect time for this campaign to run, because July and August are the peak months for motorcyclist collisions.
As part of the campaign, adverts are being placed on the back of buses in and around Leamington, Rugby and Nuneaton. Graphics will also run on social media.
PC Darren Bailey, Warwickshire’s BikeSafe Coordinator, said: “Our country roads are popular with motorcyclists particularly in the south of the county where we have some great routes.
“I’m a motorcyclist myself and although these roads are great fun for bikers, they are challenging and this is where we see the majority of our most serious collisions.
“As well as making it a habit to keep on learning to become a safer and more skilful biker, we are urging motorcyclists to wear the correct protective clothing, slow down for junctions and make sure they have been seen by drivers particularly when they approach junctions.”
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