New videos to help learner drivers improve motorcyclist awareness

Aftermath of a collision between car and motorbike

Thought-provoking new videos are being launched to encourage learner drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has made the realistic computer-generated (CGI) videos to encourage learner drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists. They have been made with the help of road safety campaigner and keen biker Ria Brisland, whose 19-year-old son, Nick, died in April 2015 after being involved in a collision with a car while riding his motorcycle.

The videos will become part of DVSA’s official learning materials and education products, but will not be part of the theory test. They will help to improve the safety of motorcyclists, by encouraging learner drivers to be more aware of them when driving.

In 2017, motorcyclists accounted for 19% of all deaths of Great Britain’s roads, despite only making up around 1% of all road traffic.

During the year, 2,656 motorcyclists were involved in accidents resulting from a driver or rider failing to look properly. This was 17% of all accidents involving motorcycles.

It’s vital that all drivers know how to spot motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users and take appropriate action. This is particularly important for learners, which is why the clips are being made part of the learning materials.

The new videos show how easily motorcyclists can be missed by road users, resulting in tragic consequences.

Motorists should always look for motorcyclists before emerging from a junction, and look for motorcyclists on the inside when turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic.

Michael Ellis, Road Safety Minister, said: "After reading Ria’s story and her concerns for fellow bikers, I was determined to help her and I am delighted that these clips will now be seen by millions of learners, helping improve road safety.

Mark Winn, DVSA’s Chief Driving Examiner, said: "These important new clips, created with Ria, will aid driver and rider training and protect vulnerable motorcyclists. We’ll be using them in our educational products and on social media to help drivers keep a lookout for motorcyclists."