What did you see? New videos to help learner drivers improve motorcyclist awareness launched

Thought-provoking new videos are being launched to encourage learner drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has made the realistic computer-generated (CGI) videos to encourage learner drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists.

They’ve been made with the help of road safety campaigner and keen biker Ria Brisland.

Watch here:

The videos will become part of DVSA’s official learning materials and education products.

They will help to improve the safety of motorcyclists, by encouraging learner drivers to be more aware of them when driving.

Ria’s 19-year-old son, Nick, died in April 2015 after being involved in a collision with a car while riding his motorcycle.

Ria said:

“Getting everyone to be aware of their fellow road users at all times is essential if we are to prevent collisions and the devastating consequences they can have on families.

These new clips are thought-provoking and will make a difference to the way people look for bikers. They may prove the difference between life and death.”

Latest data published by the Welsh Government shows the total number of motorcyclist casualties on Welsh roads declined in 2016, when compared to 2015 figures (12 per cent decrease).

• There were 254 motorcyclist casualties that were killed or seriously injured (KSI) on Welsh roads. Of this 22 were fatal and 232 were seriously injured.
• 408 motorcyclist casualties were slightly injured.

Although motorcyclists accounted for just 0.7 per cent of traffic in Wales in 2016, they represent a far higher share of killed or seriously injured motor vehicle drivers (41 per cent).

• The majority of motorcyclists that were KSI (93 per cent) or slightly (92 per cent) injured were males.
• 46 per cent of motorcyclist casualties were under 30 and 54 per cent were aged 30 and over.

The vast majority of motorcyclist casualties on Welsh roads in 2016 occurred in fine weather conditions.

• 84 per cent of motorcyclist casualties occur in fine weather compared to 12 per cent of casualties occurring in rainy weather conditions.
• Less than 2 per cent of casualties occurred in other weather conditions (including fog/mist, snow or unknown conditions).