A new campaign by Surrey County Council and Surrey Police, which encourages drivers to look out for mopeds and motorbikes, is designed to keep young riders safe.
From 18 July, hard-hitting campaign images will be used to urge motorists: ‘Don’t just look for motorbikes. See them.’
The Drive SMART campaign will also urge young bikers and moped riders to be aware of drivers of other vehicles, with the warning: ‘Don’t let your first bike be your last.’
The message will be promoted to riders via a Facebook advert and through special phone box ‘wraps’ at 22 locations across the county. There will also be a separate Facebook page for young riders.
To help get the message across to younger riders, those who click through from the Facebook advert will be directed onto a page on the Drive SMART website – giving rider hints and tips, resources and links to useful biker and rider websites.
The latest collision statistics show that in 2010 there were 432 motorcyclist casualties in Surrey. Riders aged 16-20 accounted for 23% of this total.
Dr Andrew Povey, leader of Surrey County Council, said: “I’m concerned to see almost a quarter of all those injured on motorcycles or mopeds are young people. The freedom that comes with getting your first vehicle is incredibly exciting but over exuberance can have devastating consequences.
“Through our Drive SMART campaign we’re urging all young riders to take extra care while they build up their road experience and we’re encouraging other road users to pay more attention to mopeds and motorbikes.”
Inspector Chris Colley, from Surrey’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Our proactive approach to improving road safety throughout the past few years has had a significant impact on the overall number of fatalities in the county.
“As more motorcyclists take to the roads in the warm summer weather, Surrey Roads Policing officers will again be working on initiatives aimed at further reducing road deaths, particularly in the 16-20 age group, through enforcement, education and discretion.
“Our advice to young bikers moped and motorcycle riders is to ride safely, wear protective clothing, and expect the unexpected. Our message to drivers is to look out for bikes.”
For more information contact Sue Woollard White on 01483 630883.
Appreciated Dave, but its that phrase like over exuberance can have devastating consequences.
Young and inexperienced riders are probably on their first bike and generally ride at the busiest times of the day going to and from work or college, many days in poor lighting or adverse weather conditions and with the largest amount of road traffic. So it’s understandable that accidents will happen. BUT one cannot in general blame the young people for that. In a town traffic situation, yes there are idiots. both on bikes and in other vehicles.
Many accidents are at junctions or roundabouts where through no fault of their own a twv rider is involved in a no fault accident. It’s proven [ SMIDGY}.
Whilst I am all for improving the safety of all twv riders it’s wrong to blame them for every accident.
Bob Craven, Lancs
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Sadly Bob, when we look at the stats they show us that in the majority of collisions young, inexperienced riders (and indeed drivers) are most often at fault. Combine this with wearing clothing that offers virtually no protection and it’s hardly surprising the 16-21 age group make up a large part of the PTW casualty stats.
This looks like a good campaign, I hope Surrey have some success with it.
Dave, Leeds
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So the comment from Councillor Andrew Povey, leader of the council is, and I quote: “The freedom that comes with getting your first vehicle is incredibly exciting but over exuberance can have devastating consequences”.
Of course he was talking in relation to the young people who represent a quarter of the relevant accident statistics. Not any other drivers etc.
It comes as no surprise that this speech blames all accidents or at least infers the same is the total responsibility of the motorcycle or scooter rider as lets face it the accident would not have happened if the motorcyclist was not there and is therefore said without any thought. That may sum up the Councillor. Others obviously know him better than I do. No doubt it will get the local quote in the local papers. Teenage Motorcyclists to blame for all accidents.
Come on Councillor lets have it right and say you made a mistake or at least that you were misquoted.
Bob Craven
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