The Government’s road safety strategy ‘Tomorrow’s roads: safer for everyone’ sets out casualty reduction targets for 2010. The targets include achieving a ‘40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured’; and a ‘10% reduction in the slight casualty rate’ compared with the average 1994 to 1998 benchmark. In general, progress towards these targets in Scotland is excellent. However over recent years the number of motorcycle casualties in Scotland has been increasing. Motorcyclists contribute the largest number of killed and injured casualties to the overall figures after car drivers and occupants. At the same time, increasing numbers of people are using motorcycles for travel and recreation. Motorcyclists are more at risk of being killed or injured in a road traffic accident than any other type of vehicle user. The aim of this study was to explore differing data sources on motorcycle accidents in Scotland in order to investigate the surrounding circumstances, and identify behaviours or circumstances that increase the accident risk. More specifically, the objectives of this research were to obtain an understanding of the trends, patterns and changes in the circumstances of motorcycle accidents over the past decade. With this understanding, it may be possible to reduce the number of road accidents involving motorcyclists through appropriate road safety strategies. Recommendations are provided on measures that could be taken to help reduce the number and severity of motorcycle accidents. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting