Rochdale Drivers and Motorcyclists Urged to 'Look Out For Each Other'

Date published: 02/06/2004

Motorcycle riders and drivers in Rochdale are being asked to "Look Out for Each Other" in a new phase of the Department for Transport's Motorcycle Safety campaign which took place over the Whitsun bank holiday.

The campaign targets the "urban motorbike commuter," the growing number of people who are turning to motorcycles and scooters rather than cars to beat the rush hour and general urban traffic congestion.

It featured a hard-hitting televised campaign showing the vulnerability of motorcyclists on the road.

Current figures show that there were over 7,000 riders killed or seriously injured nationally. In the North West alone there were 1474 collisions involving motorbikes last year. Motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than car users.

The Department for Transport film stresses the importance of car drivers being aware of motorcyclists on the road. Shot using reflection in the car's mirror to tell the message, it shows the terrible consequences of a driver not being fully aware of the bike rider's position behind him.

Dion Etheridge, Chairman of the Local Authority of Road Safety Officers in the North West says: "Motorcyclists, especially those who are inexperienced can be extremely vulnerable on the roads.

"We know that motorcyclists are thirty times more likely to be killed in a road accident than car users, and as the warmer weather approaches and even more drivers and riders are out and about on the roads it is vital to remind vehicle drivers and motor cycle riders everywhere to drive carefully, be aware and look out for each other."