A new road safety initiative that is designed to make motorcycling safer has been introduced in North and Mid Wales.
PRIMEs (Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment) are innovative road markings and signage that aim to help motorcyclists make safer decisions when approaching and negotiating bends in roads.
They were developed by Transport Scotland, working with BEAR Scotland and Professor Alex Stedmon, thanks to funding from The Road Safety Trust.
The PRIME markings have already transformed motorcycle safety in Scotland, where installation at 22 trial sites led to dramatic improvements in rider behaviour and safety on left-hand bends.
As a result, the Welsh Government, in partnership with the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA), has rolled out PRIME markings at four key sites in North and Mid Wales.
These are:
- A487 Pantperthog, Gwynedd
- A5 Coed Bwlch, Rhysgog, Llangollen
- A483 north of Llanbadarn Fynydd
- A483 Glascoed Hall, south of Newtown
Evidence shows that PRIMEs, which use subtle and well-placed visual cues, have a measurable and positive impact on rider behaviour, including:
- significant reductions in speed
- improved road positioning on approach and at the apex of bends
- safer braking behaviour
Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, said: “We are delighted to be trialling this new road safety initiative for the first time in Wales.
“Evidence shows that motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users, especially on roads with sharp bends. PRIME is an effective way to help reduce risks and support riders to make safer choices on the road, so it was the right thing to do.”
The initiative is strongly supported by North Wales Police and Dyfed-Powys Police who have long worked to reduce motorcycle collisions across their force area.
Dawn Fencott-Price, inspector of specialist operations at Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “We welcome the trial of this innovative initiative to improve motorcyclist safety on our roads. During 2024 there were twenty-five collisions resulting in one or more people killed – an increase of 66% on 2023.
“This is a low-cost intervention which has been proven to significantly improve road safety for riders when used in the right road conditions. One death on our roads is one too many – and reducing the number of motorcyclists who are killed or seriously injured on our roads is our priority.”
If successful, the Welsh Government says PRIME markings could be expanded across the wider Welsh road network.
Mid Wales has one of the highest rates of collisions of motorcyclists, and a huge percentage of collisions occur on bends due to poor positional entry into the bend.
This system has been used on Scotland’s roads for some time (another motorcycle collision hot spot) and research seems to support that it does cut down the accident rate.
Now I am all for anything that reduces the accident rate, but this to me is treating the symptoms and not the cause.
There are times when using unfamiliar roads can catch out the best of motorcycle riders, but having done and passed various advanced motorcycle courses over some years, I feel there is no substitute for advanced training for ALL road users, but particularly motorcyclists.
I have learned so much through such courses, and it has equipped me with enhanced observational skills and has given me the road sense to ride safely in all conditions and unfamiliar roads.
I fully believe that riding any motorcycle over and above 400cc should be subject to the rider having passed an advanced riding course and test.
Treat the cause and not the symtoms!
tony bond, Cwmbran
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As a keen experienced biker, I feel these markings would be a welcome sight to many riders especially if their not familiar with the roads their riding.
I’ve ridden through many European countries who utilize specialized white road markings, often in the form of ellipses or chevrons, to enhance motorcycle safety on curves. These markings help to guide the rider on the correct path through the bends, helping reduce accidents. Extremely useful especially when your not familiar with the area.
Unfortunately it seems the U.K fall behind again in protecting the safety of Motorcylclists. I hope this becomes a national roll out.
Deborah, chester
0