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HIGHWAYS AGENCY ASKS BIKERS TO KNOW THEIR LIMITS
28 May 2005 - Highways Agency
Bikers in the South East can enjoy the pleasures of the open road this Spring Bank Holiday - but come home safe.
That is the message from the Highways Agency which wants to cut the number
of motorcyclists killed or injured on motorways and trunk roads in England. Latest figures show that more than 700 motorcyclists or their pillion
passengers were killed or seriously injured on the 5,000 miles of Highways
Agency roads in 2003. Of these 95 per cent were men. In total, 86 people
were killed. In the South East 25 people were killed and 230 seriously injured (see
details below) The data also shows that one in four accidents involve no other vehicles
and one in three happen at the weekend. Highways Agency Safety Co-ordinator Stuart Lovatt said: ''Motorcyclists enjoy their pastime with a passion, but we want them to
return home safe and sound this Bank Holiday. It is about much more than
just reducing accident figures - every accident is a personal tragedy. ''Although motorways and trunk roads are amongst the safest in the country, we
must do something to reduce the five accidents that happen every day. Bikers
can do a lot to keep themselves safe - and other motorists can play their
part by keeping a lookout for motorcyclists, especially on routes that are
popular with bikers.'' He said it was crucial that bikers know the extent of their riding skills
and what problems they can encounter such as sharp bends and bad weather. Some simple safety tips for bikers are:
* Plan your journey carefully
* Keep an eye on weather conditions
* Buy the best protective equipment you can afford
* Keep your distance from other road users
* Use all information - road signs, road markings, speed of oncoming traffic. The Highways Agency is also backing the Handle It or Lose It campaign,
which was set up in 2003 to reduce injuries and fatalities among sports bike
enthusiasts. It has helped in the development of a biker-friendly website,
which lets riders find out where accidents have happened and warn others
about locations where they have had problems. Notes to Editors
1. Accident details for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater
London, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex
are included in the table below: 2. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for
Transport. It manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads
and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. 3. The Highways Agency traffic information website is at
www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo 4. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice
activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines
to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually
cost more). 5. For general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit
the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the 6. Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30. (Calls from BT
landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute; mobile calls
usually cost more. Service operates: 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends.) Safe driving at roadworks
During 2003 and 2004, three road workers were killed and 27 seriously injured
in the course of their work on Highways Agency roads.
Drivers approaching roadworks are advised to:
* Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.
* Get into the correct lane in good time - don''t keep switching.
* Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
* Be alert for works traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
* Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.
* Observe all signs - they are there to help you. Issued by the Highways Agency South East Press Office. For further
information please contact Cosima Duggal/Kate Woods on 01306 878442/8110
cosima.duggal@highways.gsi.gov.uk/kate.woods@highways.gsi.gov.uk
www.highways.gov.uk
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