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THE
ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS
MOTORCYCLING SAFETY POLICY PAPER
JUNE 2006
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OTHER
ROAD USER BEHAVIOUR
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Most
motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle,
usually with a car, but large vehicles also feature strongly.
Although, there is much that motorcyclists can do to avoid
such collisions, the behaviour of drivers is equally crucial.
There are many accidents in which the motorcyclist is using
the road responsibly and safely, but is put at risk because
a driver fails to do the same. Drivers need to be aware of
the characteristics, needs and vulnerability of motorcyclists.
The in-depth study of motorcycle accidents55 showed that right
of way violations accounted for about 38% of motorcycle accidents.
They were usually the fault of the other road user, who was
usually a driver. Most occurred at T-junctions, although they
also happened at crossroads and roundabouts. About two-thirds
of these types of crashes, where the rider was not to blame,
the driver failed to see a rider who was in clear view (and
was often seen by other road users). In about 12% of these
cases, the driver failed to see the motorcyclist even though
s/he was wearing high visibility garments or using daytime
running lights.
Earlier research9 reached similar conclusions, finding that
nearly two-thirds (62%) of motorcycle accidents were primarily
caused by the other road users. Half of the accidents were
caused by car drivers, and 10% by pedestrians. Two-thirds
of motorcycle accidents where the driver was at fault were
due to the driver failing to anticipate the action of other
traffic.
A great deal of emphasis has been placed on the need for motorcyclists
to be as conspicuous as possible with day time running lights
and riders wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing and
an increased frontal area56. Other research57 has concentrated
on the attitudes of drivers having found that drivers who
are involved in collisions with motorcycles have less familiarity
with motorcycles. Even with their increased popularity, motorcycles
are still comparatively uncommon on our streets and drivers
fail to consider them when making decisions at junctions.
Research58 has identified a third factor involved in this
type of collision. When waiting at junctions, drivers estimate
the time-to-arrival for smaller, closer vehicles such as motorcycles
as later than for larger, further away, vehicles such as cars
and vans. This research suggests that drivers will underestimate
how close a motorcycle is and pull out into smaller gaps than
they would for a car or van. This optical illusion has serious
consequences for motorcyclists, and drivers need to be made
aware when at junctions, not only to look out for motorcycles
but, to assume that the motorcycle they see is closer to the
junction than they appear to be.
The Department for Transport has commissioned research into
drivers attitudes and skills in relation to motorcyclists.
When overtaking a motorcyclist, drivers should give the rider
the same amount of passing space as if overtaking another
four-wheeled motor vehicle. Drivers of large vehicles in particular
need to give motorcyclists plenty of room when overtaking
them, as two wheelers are easily affected by side wind and
the draught created by overtaking vehicles. Two wheelers may
need to suddenly avoid a pot hole, debris or spillage on the
road, and drivers should be prepared for unexpected movements,
and keep a safe distance between themselves and motorcyclists.
Other Road User Behaviour - Conclusion
While motorcyclists can help themselves by increasing their
conspicuity, it is essential that drivers are aware that motorcyclists
may be present on any road, at any time.
Given that motorcyclists are more difficult to spot, drivers
must be aware of the need to look carefully for them. The
slogan “Think Bike” is as relevant today as it ever was. Government
road safety publicity campaigns rightly target drivers with
key messages to raise their awareness that they need to look
out for motorcyclists, especially at junctions.
Further research into the behavioural aspects of drivers in
regard to motorcyclists is needed to help develop appropriate
counter-measures.
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