New videos to help learner drivers improve motorcyclist awareness
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鈥檝e been made with the help of road safety campaigner and keen biker Ria Brisland.
The videos will become part of DVSA鈥檚 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.
The videos will not be part of the theory test.
Ria鈥檚 19-year-old son, Nick, died in April 2015 after being involved in a collision with a car while riding his motorcycle.
Nick Brisland was 19 years old when he died in April 2015 after being involved in a collision with a car.
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.
Watch an example video
Why the clips are being introduced
In 2017, motorcyclists accounted for 19% of all deaths of Great Britain鈥檚 roads, despite only making up around 1% of all road traffic.
During the year, 2,656 motorcyclists were involved in accidents resulting from a driver or rider failing to look properly. This was 17% of all accidents involving motorcycles.
19% of road deaths were motorcyclists in 2017
Source: Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2017
It鈥檚 vital that all drivers know how to spot motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users and take appropriate action. This is particularly important for learners, which is why the clips are being made part of the learning materials.
The new videos show how easily motorcyclists can be missed by road users, resulting in tragic consequences.
Videos will be seen by millions of learner drivers
Michael Ellis, Road Safety Minister, said:
Britain鈥檚 roads are among the safest in the world, but still far too many vulnerable people are involved in fatal and serious injury collisions each year.
After reading Ria鈥檚 story and her concerns for fellow bikers, I was determined to help her and I am delighted that these clips will now be seen by millions of learners, helping improve road safety.
Mark Winn, DVSA鈥檚 Chief Driving Examiner, said:
DVSA鈥檚 priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.
These important new clips, created with Ria, will aid driver and rider training and protect vulnerable motorcyclists. We鈥檒l be using them in our educational products and on social media to help drivers keep a lookout for motorcyclists.
Looking out for vulnerable road users when driving
The Highway Code section on road users requiring extra care explains what all road users should do to look out for vulnerable road users.
It includes:
- always looking for motorcyclists before you emerge from a junction
- when turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, looking out for motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing
- checking mirrors and blind spots carefully
The THINK! website has and more information about .