Did you know that 60% of motorcycle collisions occur at junctions – and in many cases, they occur when cars and vans emerge from side roads across our path, with the familiar lament of ‘sorry mate, I didn’t see you’ following close behind.
Those jerks are definitely in the wrong – but that’s cold comfort if it’s you lying injured – or worse– on the tarmac with your precious bike crumbled next to you.
To try to stop this happening and make four-wheel drivers more aware of their responsibility to keep a sharper eye out for bikers, the National Young Rider Forum has launched a new campaign focusing on biker safety around junctions.
The campaign, pointedly called Watch Out for Jerks at Junctions, highlights the dangers and provides riders with some simple ways to navigate any potential troubleshoots.
But the campaign doesn’t just put the focus on bike riders: it will also appeal directly to drivers on four wheels to always check for bikes before emerging from any type of junction.
It stresses that motorcyclists, particularly young inexperienced ones, are road users who require extra care, consideration and concentration from drivers, and that junctions pose a real risk to those on two wheels.
Riders are encouraged to use the OSM/PSL routine:
- Observation
- Signal
- Manoeuvre
- Position
- Speed
- Look
The campaign also provides advice on overtaking and filtering.
This information has been broken down into four infographics, which will run across social media – particularly targeting Instagram.
Boosted posts will direct riders to the campaign webpage
The campaign launched on 15th January and runs for four weeks.
Heidi Duffy MBE, facilitator of the National Young Rider Forum, said: “As this campaign clearly demonstrates, many motorcycle collisions occur at junctions.
“We want to make young riders aware of this – and hope the infographics will help to keep them safe on the road.
“We also want to ask drivers to remember that motorcyclists are smaller than other vehicles on the road and can easily be hidden by others whether moving or parked. They must always check for bikers at junctions, before moving out.”