Keeping young riders safe
15/07/2010 10:45:13
Keeping young riders safe is the aim of a new joint campaign by Surrey County Council and Surrey Police which drivers to look out for mopeds and motorbikes.
From next Monday (18 July), hard-hitting campaign images will be used to urge motorists: “Don’t just look for motorobikes. See them,”
In the latest Drive SMART campaign, young bikers and moped riders will also be asked to be aware of drivers of other vehicles who are not concentrating on the roads. The stark warning to them is: ”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.
The latest collision statistics show that nearly a quarter of all motorbike casualties are in one age group, 16-20. This group tends to ride mopeds and smaller bikes.
In 2010 there were 432 motorcyclist casualties in Surrey. Riders aged 16-20 alone accounted for 23 per cent of this total (101 casualties). With national figures showing that around 75 per cent of serious motorbike collisions involve at least one other vehicle, drivers are being reminded to look carefully for motorbikes and mopeds.
Collision rates are highest during the commuting hours of 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm, indicating that young riders are particularly vulnerable commuting to college or work.
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 web site detailing rider hints and tips, resources and links to useful biker and rider websites.
Dr Andrew Povey, Leader of Surrey County Council, commented:”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 – and our message to drivers is to look out for bikes. All road users in the county need to know that bad driving or riding won’t be tolerated.”