London ‘worst for motorbike accidents’ - campaign aims to change driving test

Saturday, June 2, 2012
2:48 PM

London has been named as the UK’s biggest accident hotspots for motorcyclists, with nearly 22 per cent of all accidents happening in the capital.

That’s according to annual claims data from insurance specialist Bennetts.

The findings back up a campaigning calling on the government to ensure compulsory bike-related questions are included in the driving test to help raise awareness of biker safety on London’s roads.

An e-petition has been signed by 48,180 people so far, with celebrity bikers including Suzi Perry, Matthew Pinsent, Iwan Thomas and Ray Quinn giving it their backing.

Reaching 100,000 signatures will allow the petition to be raised in the House of Commons.

Currently, prospective drivers can pass the driving test without answering a single question relating to motorbikes and bikers, who despite accounting for just one per cent of road traffic, fall victim to more than 20 per cent of all fatalities on the roads.

Hannah Squirrell, director of marketing at Bennetts said: “With London being named one of the country’s accident hotspots involving motorcycles, our latest findings aim to make all road-users more aware of the presence and vulnerability of bikers in London.

“Currently, would-be motorists are able to take their driving test without seeing a single question relating to motorcyclists, and so we’ve registered a petition to challenge this and hopefully help improve road safety for all.”