Police Issue Motorbike Safety Warning
25 July 2013, 07:39 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
With ten motorcycle deaths already in 2013, Hampshire County Council is warning car drivers and bikers to look out for each other and drive safely.
Motorcyclists represent only 1% of road traffic but account for 20% of road fatalities. Motorcycle accidents tend to rise in the summer as more bikers take advantage of the nice weather. Six of the fatalities across the County occurred this July - in Ashurst, Bordon, Fareham, Eastleigh, Rownhams and Stockbridge.
As part of stepping up its biker awareness campaign the County Council will be installing new bike safety posters. The posters, featuring the ‘Think Bike’ and ‘Bikers Think!’ messages will be provided along the A32 Fareham Road at its junction with Camp Road and the Petrol Station, in a bid to reduce accidents at this particular location. The signs remind motorists to be alert of motorbikes during their journey.
Equally, motorcyclists are being reminded to be aware of other drivers’ motoring behaviour while out on the road and to give themselves time to react. The signs display a biker in a vehicle’s wing mirror.
The provision of these new posters are similar to the ‘Think Bike’ & ‘Bikers Think!’ signs that are provided each summer along the known routes which are popular with leisure motorcyclists. These routes include the A32, A272, B2177 and the A339.
Councillor Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council said:
“Sadly there have been ten motorcycle deaths on the County’s road this year. We want to help prevent further accidents by increasing safety awareness amongst riders and drivers.
“Many riders are injured at junctions when vehicles pull out, others crash as a result of entering a bend too fast. Our message to drivers is ‘think bike’ and always take longer to look for motorcyclists especially at junctions and when overtaking, give a second glance to check it’s really safe to manoeuvre as they could be hidden in your blind spot.
“Riders can help too by wearing high visibility clothing, riding defensively; concentrating and anticipating the errors of other road users. I would encourage bikers to go on the BikeSafe course run by Hampshire Constabulary in partnership with Hampshire Fire and Rescue. The course aims to help motorcyclists learn to deal with hazards appropriately, gain more confidence, improve their abilities and get more enjoyment from riding.”
The council's urging people to read the safety advice from the national Think! campaign.
