ROYAL RECOGNITION FOR HIGHWAYS AGENCY BIKER SAFETY CAMPAIGN
01 August 2005 - Highways Agency

The Highways Agency and its partners have scooped a national road safety award for its efforts to help save the lives of motorcyclists.

Tragically latest figures show that 364 motorcyclists or their pillion passengers were killed or seriously injured on the Highways Agency''s 5000miles of trunk road and motorway. In fact motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to be killed or suffer serious injuries than people traveling in cars.

As part of its Safety Strategy, the Agency is committed to reducing this figure and helping save the lives of bikers on its network. This can range from developing engineering solutions to running rider education campaigns encouraging training and changes in rider behaviour.

The Prince Michael International Road Safety Award recognises the Agency''s work with The Handle it or Lose It Partnership (HIOLI), in particular the development of an innovative website encouraging bikers to share information about where they have ''lost it'' on the network.

Presenting the Award to the HIOLI team awards scheme director Adrian Walsh
said:
''This unique interactive web site is proving popular with bikers and is also providing the Highways Agency with a real time customer view on the condition of the roads, enabling it to tackle danger spots rapidly''. This close cooperation with riders is vital to reduce casualties.''

The unique and easy to use site provides riders with advice on road conditions, routes and training such as rider improvement courses. Through the HIOLI partnership the Agency is using the reporting system and detailed maps to develop a dialogue with riders working with them to reduce the number of crashes. This has enabled the Agency to help tackle problems where traditional methods have not always proven to be effective.

Chief Highway Engineer for the Highways Agency Ginny Clarke said: ''The Agency is committed to ensuring all our customers enjoy the safest journey possible on our network and this second Road Safe Award for the Agency is welcome recognition of our staff''s commitment to safety.

''Engineering cannot always provide all the answers and sometimes we need to find alternative solutions. Working in partnerships like Handle It Or Lose It enables us to find out exactly how we can best target our live saving efforts, and find out what our road users think.

''Although England''s motorways and trunk roads are amongst the safest in the world, we must do more to reduce the three accidents involving bikers that happen every day. Bikers can do a lot to keep themselves safe. It is crucial they know the extent of their riding skills and the problems they could encounter like sharp bends or bad weather. Other motorists can also play their part by keeping a lookout for motorcyclists, especially on routes that are popular with bikers. ''

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 and limits.

www.highways.gov.uk

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