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Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has called on drivers to take extra care this summer as longer days and better weather bring more people onto the roads. She is urging motorists to look out for pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists, warning that vulnerable road users face the greatest risk.
Motorcyclists can be particularly vulnerable, as they can be harder for drivers to spot than other vehicles. Just under half of the most serious and fatal collisions involving motorcyclists happen at junctions, with drivers emerging from minor or private roads, particularly when turning right.
Kimmins said: "One of the biggest causes of collisions involving motorcyclists is drivers emerging from junctions, particularly turning right. When emerging from minor roads or private roads, always check for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists.
"They might be harder to see, so look again. Be sure to look around those door and window pillars as they can easily hide your view of a rider."
She also encouraged drivers to adopt the "Dutch Reach" technique when getting out of a parked car, saying it gives a greater chance of spotting an approaching cyclist or motorcyclist before opening the door.
The Dutch Reach is a practice recommended for drivers and passengers where, rather than using your hand closest to the door to open it, you use your far hand which by its very action forces your body to move round in a position where you can easily check behind you.
Figures show that more than 95% of all collisions are linked to human error, with driver or rider inattention, careless overtaking and collisions on rural roads accounting for over half of all fatalities and serious injuries.
Kimmins added: "This summer we need to remember to look out for each other. We tell ourselves that it's the other road users that are the problem, but it is worth remembering that to everyone else, you are the other road user."
