Observations were made of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds at five different types of junctions: crossroads, with and without traffic lights; t-junctions, with and without traffic lights and roundabouts. A total of 651 riders were observed who were making either left or right turns or proceeding straight on at junctions. The riders observed were chosen at random and were probably not aware that they were being observed. A majority (75 per cent) of those observed made some errors. The most common faults, at all junction types, were associated with rear observation, signals and speeding. Riders often failed to look behind them or to make adequate signals to other road users. Speeding faults did not necessarily involve exceeding the speed limit but arose from riding too fast for the prevailing conditions. Seventy-eight per cent of riders of machines displaying l-plates made at least one serious or dangerous fault which would have resulted in test failure if committed during the department of transport l-test. Seventy per cent of riders with machines not displaying l-plates made at least one error of this severity.
Abstract