Riders’ rights group the National Motorcyclists Council has responded to reports about the government’s new Road Safety Strategy. Following several stories from the BBC, The Times, and other outlets regarding the strategy, the NMC says it needs a clear focus on improving motorcycle safety, as well as greater policy recognition for motorcycling and road safety support for motorcyclists as vulnerable road users.
NMC executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “We welcome news that the government’s long-overdue Road Safety Strategy is finally progressing, particularly as the overall level of road casualties has not significantly changed since 2013. However, the strategy must have a strong focus on supporting safety improvements for motorcycling. These must focus on holistic measures to reduce rider vulnerability through recognition and inclusion in overall transport policies, with supporting actions to improve rider accessibility and mitigate the risks that riders face on the roads. This must include safer infrastructure, further pressure on road maintenance and an emphasis on supporting the greater rollout of post-test rider and car driver education.
“There is also an urgent need to review the motorcycle training, testing and licensing regime, as the current regulations have over-complicated licensing requirements, while only having a limited impact on motorcycle safety, with fatal incidents in particular being higher than they were in 2013. More also needs to be done to support efforts to reduce motorcycling incidents in rural areas via a range of education, infrastructure and enforcement measures.
“Regarding specific measures trailed in the media, any initiatives to tackle drink driving can only be welcomed, but research into the effect of lowering the drink drive limit in Scotland reveals that a reduction in the limit will require significantly more backing for roads policing teams to effectively enforce new laws if they are to have any real effect on drink and drug related incidents.”