IAM make crash barrier call

Added on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Crash barriers are needlessly causing biker deaths, according to the IAM.

Our road authorities must now ‘Think Bike'

The Institute of Advanced Motorists is calling for new “bike friendly” crash barriers to be rolled out across the UK after a report released today found that one in six motorcycle deaths come as a result of a collision with a crash barrier.

In such collisions, a rider is 15 times more likely to be killed than a car occupant, according to the research by the IAM.

The report, entitled “Barriers to change: designing safe roads for motorcyclists” examined why crash barriers are life savers for car drivers but can kill vulnerable motorcyclists. Its findings are particularly critical of crash barrier support posts that can cause injuries five times more severe than in an average motorcycle crash.

At present, European testing standards for crash barriers are based on car occupants and make no mention of motorcyclists.

The principle findings of the report were:

- In the UK motorcyclists represent 19 per cent of all road deaths, but just two per cent of the total distance travelled

- Hitting a crash barrier is a factor in eight to 16 per cent of rider deaths, and in a collision a rider is 15 times more likely to be killed than a car occupant

- Barrier support posts are particularly aggressive, irrespective of the barriers’ other components, causing a five-fold increase in injury severity compared to the average motorcycle crash

- Motorcycle-friendly systems have been shown to halve fatalities and offer high rates of return

- Riders are 30 times more likely to be killed in any crash than car occupants and four times more likely than cyclists

IAM Director for research and policy, Neil Greig, said: “Although riders should take responsibility for their own safety, our road authorities must now ‘Think Bike’ and design crash barriers that give riders protection against the aggressive features that cause devastating injuries.

“France has retro-fitted lower rails to prevent riders hitting support posts at the most vulnerable sites on its road network, leading to rates of return of around 400 per cent. If it can be done in France it must now be done in the UK.”

The research panel which produced the report in conjunction with the IAM and the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) is calling for new guidance on the design and use of ‘motorcycle friendly’ barriers.

EuroRAP’s European Programme Director, Dr Joanne Hill says: “It wouldn’t be possible to install ‘motorcycle friendly barriers’ across a nation’s roads overnight. However the new report shows how some countries are already assessing roads by systematic action to ensure that barriers are made safe for motorcyclists in areas of highest risk. The commitment by governments across Europe is needed to fund these high return safety programmes.”

Motorcycle death figures by country: