Rider casualties plummet

Nearly 100 fewer motorcyclists were killed in 2008 than the year before, latest government figures show.

Rider deaths fell 16% in a year from 588 in 2007 to 493 last year. In casualty reduction terms it puts motorcyclists ahead of car drivers, who only saw a 12% fall in fatalities.

Fatal and serious motorcyclist casualties fell 10%, from 6737 in 2007 to 6048 in 2008. Rider casualties of all severities fell 8% to 21549.

The Motorcycle Industry Association called it “a great achievement”.

Sheila Rainger, Director of Research, said: “To see a fall in motorcycle fatalities of almost 100 in a single year is a massive achievement, and one of which everyone working towards safer motorcycling can be proud.

“But there is no room for complacency.

“Continued work to develop more relevant training – aimed at rider attitudes as much as rider skills – and proper integration of motorcycles into transport policy will help sustain this improvement in the future.”