Report blames drivers

The first detailed European study of bike accidents has shown that 60 per cent of cases involved a car driver, and in half, it was the car driver who was to blame.

The ‘Motorcycle Accidents In Depth Study’ was carried out by the Association of European Motorcycle Manufacturers, with support from the European Commission, BMF (British Motorcycle Federation), FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme), FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) and CIECA (the international commission for driver testing authorities). The study took three years and investigated 921 accidents in France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and Italy, with full re-constructions, vehicle inspections and interviews with witnesses, injured parties and authorities.

In 50 per cent of cases the primary accident-contributing factor was human error by the other driver, and over 70 per cent of these errors were failure to see the bike. And in over 70% of the accidents studied, the impact speeds were below 30mph.

The BMF’s Richard Ollife said, “Statistical coverage of motorcycle accidents in the past has been insufficient and confusing; the causes and analysis have been lacking and therefore motorcycling has suffered. This report will stand us in good stead in our efforts to influence the UK Government’s motorcycle strategy.”

You can download the full report here, or click here to discuss the findings.