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Conspicuity
Along with proposals for compulsory daytime lights are suggestions that all riders should be made to wear garments that are day-glo and reflective. Indeed, one of the first drafts for the Europe wide clothing standards was that 25% of the rider's body had to be covered in day-glo.
MAG is against this shifting of the blame for accidents onto the rider.
The report Characteristics of Urban Motorcycle Accidents [Institute of Motorcycling, 1989] showed that 62% of accidents involving motorcycles were directly attributable to the actions of other road users, and a significant number of these accidents were due to the car driver turning across the path of the motorcycle or pulling out of a side road into the path of the rider.
There is anecdotal evidence that in the period when most daylight accidents happen, the early morning, the use of lights breaks up the silhouette of the motorcycle and reduces the frontal area visible to other road users, especially against a bright sky. Day-glo clothing has a similar but less striking effect.
Evidence from a wide range of sources shows that human beings adapt to changes in their environment. Unfortunately this means that the initial impact of many safety measurers can be lost over a period of time.
MAG believes that the relatively small improvement in rider safety available from conspicuity aids is liable to decline if other road users become used to seeing them. Furthermore, the proportion of accidents that may be avoided is far outweighed by the proportion of accidents caused by other road users to look out for bikes.
MAG is calling for the proper education of all road users to ensure they are aware of each others vulnerabilities and the on the spot testing of eyesight for all vehicle users who are involved in an accident.
The excuse of "Sorry mate, didn't see you" isn't good enough
MAG UK© October 2001 All rights reserved.
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