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Campaign to target motorcycle deaths
MORE than 700 motorcyclists have been killed or seriously injured in crashes in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire over the last three years.
To curb the number of deaths, Thames Valley Police are launching a Safer Rider Campaign.
Police will be putting up posters and billboards giving information on the dangers or riding a motorbike.
These posters will depict a child at his father's graveside holding the crash helmet that had been worn by his dad.
Inspector Bob Jarrett, who is leading the campaign, said: "We have attended crashes in which nearly 100 bikers have lost their lives in the last four years and we simply cannot stand by and watch this tragic waste of life.
"Motorcyclists need to understand the risks they run when they get on the bike, and everyone should be aware of the consequences when a bike is involved in an accident because for many bikers their first crash is their last crash."
Thames Valley Police communications manager Dan Campsall said: "Our research shows that 90 per cent of motorcycle fatalities are men and that many of them leave behind long term partners and young children.
"It's not just the crash itself we are concerned about it's the many lives that are devastated by losing a loved one."
9:39am Monday 4th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: HamsterWheel, Prestwood on 10:02am Mon 4 Aug 08
Rubbish - the UK in total has about 700 motorcycle deaths a year. To suggest that one third of these occur in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire is tosh of the higest order.
Get your facts right.
Rubbish - the UK in total has about 700 motorcycle deaths a year. To suggest that one third of these occur in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire is tosh of the higest order.
Get your facts right.
Posted by: Steve, Totteridge Hill on 10:29am Mon 4 Aug 08
700 or 100???
Posted by: erm, ermsville on 11:21am Mon 4 Aug 08
[quote]Get your facts right.[/quote]
it's 700 injuries AND deaths in 3 years, with 100 deaths in 4 years, that's 25 deaths a year in the TVP area.
Get your facts right.
it's 700 injuries AND deaths in 3 years, with 100 deaths in 4 years, that's 25 deaths a year in the TVP area.
Posted by: HamsterWheel, Prestwood on 11:29am Mon 4 Aug 08
They've edited the story. Sneaky.
They've edited the story. Sneaky.
Posted by: Trefor, Out standing in my field on 1:06pm Mon 4 Aug 08
Some 'Don't be a tw@ and overtake into oncoming traffic' might be useful for both cars and bikes - especially on the Wendover bypass.
Some 'Don't be a tw@ and overtake into oncoming traffic' might be useful for both cars and bikes - especially on the Wendover bypass.
Posted by: sandman, on a beach on 1:12pm Mon 4 Aug 08
As a motorcyclist myself i would like to say I ride with great caution every day. It is everyone else who is a worry to me. What is the first thing you are supposed to do if changing lane on a motorway or performing any manouvre (Mirror, signal, manouvre)
NOT Manourve, signal, mirror. Only this weekend did someone almost knock me off on my way to asda where i had right of way on a round about.
I would like to see everyone take a CBT test and then see how much the figures come down as everyone will be more aware of there environment.
Maybe they should educate car drivers first on the basics again.
Rant over, thank you for reading.
As a motorcyclist myself i would like to say I ride with great caution every day. It is everyone else who is a worry to me. What is the first thing you are supposed to do if changing lane on a motorway or performing any manouvre (Mirror, signal, manouvre)
NOT Manourve, signal, mirror. Only this weekend did someone almost knock me off on my way to asda where i had right of way on a round about.
I would like to see everyone take a CBT test and then see how much the figures come down as everyone will be more aware of there environment.
Maybe they should educate car drivers first on the basics again.
Rant over, thank you for reading.
Posted by: sr on 3:04pm Mon 4 Aug 08
I agree with Sandman - my son is a biker and has nearly been 'wiped out' many times over his short (5 years) time on 2 wheels . He is an excellent rider and this has made him a safer car driver too. Not all road users are as vigilant as most bikers - who have to look ahead and anticipate what others are likely to do, as results of a collision could be fatal for them.
I agree with Sandman - my son is a biker and has nearly been 'wiped out' many times over his short (5 years) time on 2 wheels . He is an excellent rider and this has made him a safer car driver too. Not all road users are as vigilant as most bikers - who have to look ahead and anticipate what others are likely to do, as results of a collision could be fatal for them.
Posted by: Panda, High Wycombe on 3:14pm Mon 4 Aug 08
There are 2 types of bikers out there and I have just watched it. Sandman is correct there are some bikers out there that are sensible, BUT!!! you could have the 2 idiots i have just watched on the A404, under cutting, driving between cars and forcing on coming drivers to break. It's idiots like those that ruin it for the others
There are 2 types of bikers out there and I have just watched it. Sandman is correct there are some bikers out there that are sensible, BUT!!! you could have the 2 idiots i have just watched on the A404, under cutting, driving between cars and forcing on coming drivers to break. It's idiots like those that ruin it for the others
Posted by: sr on 4:11pm Mon 4 Aug 08
Yes, Panda, I agree - however the same is also true of car drivers - some are lunatics, others sane individuals.We have all seen the mad motorcyclists, and plenty more have seen boy racers in cars - however the car drivers generally get away from a crash without major injury (I know there are exceptions) whereas even minor collision, at slow speed, with a bike can cause substantial or fatal injuries.
Yes, Panda, I agree - however the same is also true of car drivers - some are lunatics, others sane individuals.We have all seen the mad motorcyclists, and plenty more have seen boy racers in cars - however the car drivers generally get away from a crash without major injury (I know there are exceptions) whereas even minor collision, at slow speed, with a bike can cause substantial or fatal injuries.
Posted by: Lo_Wycombe, Bowerdean Rd on 4:31pm Mon 4 Aug 08
[quote]These posters will depict a child at his father's graveside holding the crash helmet that had been worn by his dad.[/quote]
Hey BFP, a picture paints a thousand words....
Would it not have been more beneficial for readers to see this advert?
These posters will depict a child at his father's graveside holding the crash helmet that had been worn by his dad.
Hey BFP, a picture paints a thousand words....
Would it not have been more beneficial for readers to see this advert?
Posted by: sandman, on a beach on 5:03pm Mon 4 Aug 08
you will never stop the idiots like those two on the A404 but they are the people who this campaign is aimed against and not for one minute do i think that it will have any effect on them.
Another thing with bikers safety is the satate of the roads which is maintained by Wycombe council who obviously drive cars as the state of the roads in Wycombe is awful. There is one section on the way up to Downley where i saw a leaner fall off because the road was so poorly maintained with bumps and ripples so big your wheels leave the ground at low speed (-10mph). With people not looking and the state of the roads against bikers it is a suprise that there are so many on the roads.
you will never stop the idiots like those two on the A404 but they are the people who this campaign is aimed against and not for one minute do i think that it will have any effect on them.
Another thing with bikers safety is the satate of the roads which is maintained by Wycombe council who obviously drive cars as the state of the roads in Wycombe is awful. There is one section on the way up to Downley where i saw a leaner fall off because the road was so poorly maintained with bumps and ripples so big your wheels leave the ground at low speed (-10mph). With people not looking and the state of the roads against bikers it is a suprise that there are so many on the roads.
Posted by: smokey, high wycombe on 5:04pm Mon 4 Aug 08
[quote][bold]sr[/bold] wrote:
Yes, Panda, I agree - however the same is also true of car drivers - some are lunatics, others sane individuals.We have all seen the mad motorcyclists, and plenty more have seen boy racers in cars - however the car drivers generally get away from a crash without major injury (I know there are exceptions) whereas even minor collision, at slow speed, with a bike can cause substantial or fatal injuries.[/quote] I was involved in a head on collision with a motor cyclist. He was on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend having driven at speed down a country road and was obviously not aware that the bend was there. There was nothing I could have done - I was going up hill - 34mph - he was doing roughly 50mph! It was one of the most scary experiences of my life and I was lucky to escape with my life as he did not go thro my windscreen but bounced off the side and went skidding down the road. He thankfully was alright BUT my car was written off as was his bike. I am still awaiting compensation and I am hoping that the police will prosecute for dangerous driving. IMO this man should NEVER be allowed on a bike again - next time he may kill himself or someone else.
So I think that both car drivers and cyclists can be as bad as each other.
BTW - this was not a young motorcyclist either!
sr wrote:
Yes, Panda, I agree - however the same is also true of car drivers - some are lunatics, others sane individuals.We have all seen the mad motorcyclists, and plenty more have seen boy racers in cars - however the car drivers generally get away from a crash without major injury (I know there are exceptions) whereas even minor collision, at slow speed, with a bike can cause substantial or fatal injuries.
I was involved in a head on collision with a motor cyclist. He was on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend having driven at speed down a country road and was obviously not aware that the bend was there. There was nothing I could have done - I was going up hill - 34mph - he was doing roughly 50mph! It was one of the most scary experiences of my life and I was lucky to escape with my life as he did not go thro my windscreen but bounced off the side and went skidding down the road. He thankfully was alright BUT my car was written off as was his bike. I am still awaiting compensation and I am hoping that the police will prosecute for dangerous driving. IMO this man should NEVER be allowed on a bike again - next time he may kill himself or someone else.
So I think that both car drivers and cyclists can be as bad as each other.
BTW - this was not a young motorcyclist either!
Posted by: sandman, on a beach on 5:25pm Mon 4 Aug 08
the campaign they should launch is keep the speed for trackdays and keep safe riding for pleasure days.
keep to that and it should bring down the accidents
the campaign they should launch is keep the speed for trackdays and keep safe riding for pleasure days.
keep to that and it should bring down the accidents
Posted by: Observer, of Bikers on 6:40am Tue 5 Aug 08
Surely removing speed bumps and chicanes would make Buckinghamshire roads safer for motorcyclists?
Surely removing speed bumps and chicanes would make Buckinghamshire roads safer for motorcyclists?
Posted by: sr on 12:22pm Tue 5 Aug 08
smokey - my point exactly. sorry to hear about your experience but glad you and biker were ok. hope the insurance claim is sorted asap.
smokey - my point exactly. sorry to hear about your experience but glad you and biker were ok. hope the insurance claim is sorted asap.
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