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Back to Motoring news

Motoring news

Research warning to 'fair weather' motorcyclists

26/11/2009

The majority of motorcycle accidents happen in fine daytime conditions, according to research conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

And the study found that Sunday - with 20% more crashes than any other day - is the most dangerous day of the week, as leisure riders take to the road and tend to cover longer distances than daily riders.

The figures come from an analysis of the more-than-150,000 motorcycle casualties seen on Britain's roads between 2000 and 2006. It considers factors such as bike size, road layout, conditions and season, and reveals that the most significant factors are the age and experience of the biker - with half of all casualties found among bikers aged 30 or less, who make up fewer than 20% of all riders.

Motorcycle ownership has risen by 500,000 since 1996, the report notes, and this sharp growth has been largely down to sales of bikes with engines over 500cc - which account for more than 60% of fatal crashes - and the increasing popularity of recreational riding.

Commenting on the report, IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "The fact that most crashes happen in good conditions may come as a surprise, but is due to the fact that many riders simply avoid riding in bad weather or in the dark.

"The message is clear - even if the conditions seem good for riding, accidents can still happen."

Arguing that safe riders are made, not born, Mr Greig stressed the importance of further training.

Meanwhile, a UK company has developed a crash helmet technology that it claims could prevent some of the 80% of motorcycle fatalities that involve head injuries. The prototype "brain cooling device" can be fitted to new or existing helmets, and is triggered by the force of an accident to begin an endothermic (heat-absorbing) reaction.

ThermaHelm's inventor says that, by preventing the in-helmet heat build up commonly found after an accident, the system helps to limit swelling and tissue damage in the brain during the crucial time before emergency services can reach an injured rider.