Police urge motorcycle awareness among UK drivers during the summer

Norfolk Police has released a statement urging additional care attention paid to motorcyclists during the summer months.

As we know, the arrival of summer means more motorcyclists will be on the roads riding for pleasure, especially in rural areas, thanks to the finer weather and longer days that make rural roads along twisty country roads all the more enjoyable.

While the upsides to riding in the summer are obvious, the tendency is for the majority of fatal motorcycle incidents to occur on rural roads.

In fact, according to Norfolk Police, 69 per cent of motorcycle fatalities in the UK happen on rural roads.

As a result, it is urging the county’s drivers to take additional care of motorcyclists over the next few months by taking some relatively simple steps, including “look twice”, “give motorcyclists space”, “be patient on rural roads”, and “check before changing lanes or turning”.

“Motorcycles are smaller and easier to miss, especially at junctions or when checking mirrors,” Norfolk Police says.

“Take extra time at roundabouts, crossings and when pulling out or turning right. A second glance can be the difference between a safe journey and a life‑changing collision.

“Allow greater following distances and plenty of room when overtaking. Sudden manoeuvres, tailgating or cutting across a rider’s path leaves them with far fewer options to react, particularly where road surfaces are damaged.

“Country lanes often have limited visibility, concealed junctions and poor surfaces.

“Motorcyclists may need to adjust their position or speed to avoid potholes, gravel or standing water. Avoid pressuring riders and be prepared for slower or altered lines through bends.

“Many serious collisions happen when a driver changes direction without seeing a motorcyclist. 

“Use mirrors thoroughly, check blind spots, and signal clearly and in good time.”

They all seem like fairly common sense points, of course, but that’s the case with almost all advice given to try to increase road safety, and yet collisions and incidents still happen – so it’s always worth giving a reminder.

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