“Thames Valley Police believes the programme of education and enforcement will reverse the accident trend”

Thames Valley Police is at the forefront of reducing road accidents with the launch of a new Safer Rider scheme to accompany last year’s introduction of a motorists’ Speed Awareness Scheme.

The Safer Rider initiative, launched in the spring, aims to cut the growing number of deaths and serious injuries of motorcyclists on the roads of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. In the 12 months to March 2003, 37 motorcyclists were killed and 300 were seriously injured on Thames Valley roads – an increase on the 24 motorcyclists killed and 264 injured in 2000-01 and the 25 killed and 278 seriously injured in 2001-02.

Claimed to be one of the first initiatives of its kind in the country – a similar scheme is operated by Northumbria Police – the Thames Valley Roads Policing department believes the programme of education and enforcement will reverse the accident trend. Under the Safer Rider scheme, football-style red or yellow cards are given to motorcyclists who are stopped by Thames Valley police.

The yellow card – effectively a verbal warning – is for minor offences that warrant advice from police, but not prosecution. This is usually given for manoeuvres in which the rider could get into danger, but with guidance could amend their behaviour and remain safe. The aim of the yellow card is to encourage riders to seek further training through approved training bodies.

“Too many riders die on our roads”

The red card – a “sending-off” – is for more serious traffic offences such as careless or inconsiderate riding. The motorcyclist who is stopped will be given a choice of either attending a rider improvement course or prosecution. If the rider chooses the £185 one-day course of theory and practical riding at their own expense, they will not have to pay a fine or receive penalty points on their licence. Both red and yellow cards are issued at the discretion of the officer who has stopped the rider.

The courses – a theory-only course costs £85 – are being run by award-winning driver training company DriveTech (UK) and have been launched by the two parties in the wake of their collaboration on the speed awareness courses, which put education before punishment for speeding motorists, and were launched in August last year (Roadsafe: winter 2003/04).

The full-day motorcycle course is composed of four hours of classroom-based theory and three hours of on-the-road training with an instructor. The theory session includes an hour-long on-line perception and performance training assessment that measures a motorcyclist’s hazard perception, speed awareness and attitude. It is followed by classroom discussions focused on high-risk areas identified in the assessment and factors associated with improving motorcycle skills such as rider stress, frustration and excitement. The practical sessions see two motorcyclist course delegates under the watchful eye of one instructor, who is in mobile communication with them, put into practice their new safer riding skills.

Throughout the 2004 biking season, co-ordinated road checks and concentrated patrols will be carried out across the South East region of the UK. These operations will focus on motorcycle road safety issues and criminal activity. The forces taking part in the joint operation are Thames Valley, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and the Metropolitan Police. Each force will carry out operations on identified motorcycle routes, paying particular attention to roads that have been identified as being a collision hot spot and/or having a high offending rate against the road traffic regulations.

The operations aim to give a balance between education and enforcement. They are intelligence-led and provide highly-visible policing. It is the first year that these operations are being run and the police hope that they will help to reduce and prevent casualties, and provide a safer environment for motorcyclists and all other road users. A publicity campaign is being run in conjunction with the education and enforcement initiative and posters and flyers will be distributed to areas that bikers frequent and officers will attend biking events.

A website has also been developed – www.thamesvalley.uk/safer-rider – giving safety advice about biking routes throughout the Thames Valley. Hazards and possible dangers are highlighted in a comprehensive commentary concerning common biker routes. There are also pages of rider tips, details of how to seek further training, events, advice to car drivers, full details of the red and yellow cards and enforcement, and tips on how to keep bikes safe from thieves. Supt Neil Olney, head of roads policing, says: “We are committed to making the roads safer for all who use them and this new initiative is one of a number of ways we are tackling the issue of road collisions.

“Too many riders die on our roads. They are among the most vulnerable road users because a motorbike travels as fast as a car, but without the protection from an impact that a car offers. This means that the majority of collisions involving motorbikes are either very serious or fatal. “This initiative is a positive step towards reducing motorbike collisions through both enforcement and education, and I hope that this will be the start of a downward trend in motorbike fatalities and injuries.” Under the Speed Awareness Scheme, around 1,000 drivers a month – a 90% take-up rate – are opting to undertake a driver improvement programme as an alternative to a fixed penalty fine and points on their driving licence.

DriveTech (UK) founder Chris Howell says: “The Speed Awareness Scheme for vehicle drivers launched last summer has been a tremendous success, with many motorists telling us of how they have benefited. It is obvious from the number of people attending courses that speeding drivers want help, not simply punishment and I hope that the Safer Rider initiative receives similar support. “It is clear from the police figures that motorbike-related deaths and injuries are a major concern in the Thames Valley area. In addition there is alarm at the number of motorcyclists committing a variety of offences including speeding and careless riding.

“The aim of the course is to improve riding skills, attitudes and behaviour of motorcyclists, and, ultimately, to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads.” Safer Rider courses are being held at DriveTech (UK) premises in Crowthorne, Berkshire, and Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire.

Bike Safe is an initiative run by Police Forces round the UK
who work with the biking industry to help lower the number
of motorcycle rider casualties. Visit: www.bikesafe.co.uk