Stayin' Alive: Gently into the 2018 motorcycle season
Over the last ten years, the number of serious personal injuries in motorcycle accidents has fallen by a third. The bfu - Swiss Council for Accident Prevention gives motorcyclists concrete advice to ensure that they start the 2018 motorcycle season as safely as possible: Together with its partners, it is taking the "Stayin' Alive" awareness campaign into the next phase in order to further reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities.
The logo of the "Stayin' Alive" campaign is intended to draw attention to the reduction of serious motorcycle accidents. © bfu
In 2007, 82 motorcyclists lost their lives on Swiss roads and 1599 others were seriously injured at that time. Ten years later, the figure was 51 deaths. In addition, 1047 people were seriously injured last year - although this figure is higher than for passenger car occupants (781 seriously injured in 2017). Despite positive developments, the risk for motorcyclists to be seriously injured or killed in an accident remains fifty times higher than for car drivers or passengers.
Attention: Others make mistakes
On average, collisions account for around 60 percent of serious motorcycle accidents off. Serious collisions usually occur at intersections. The analysis of the bfu shows that in around 65 percent of these cases, it is not the motorcyclist who is registered as the main cause, but the "collision opponent". In 55 percent of the serious collisions, the "collision opponent" is even the sole causer. In order to further reduce the number of motorcycle accidents in Switzerland, the bfu and the Federation of Motorcyclists of Switzerland (FMS) decided to continue its awareness campaign "Stayin' Alive" into the next phase. Newly included are the Swiss Motorcycle Driving Instructors Association (SMFV) and the Swiss Driving Instructors Association (SFV). "Stayin' Alive" is supported by the Road Safety Fund and encourages motorcyclists to be prepared for mistakes by other road users at all times.
Good season preparation is important
Christoph Jöhr, head of the bfu's Traffic Behavior department, emphasizes that a defensive driving style is crucial - especially at the start of the new motorcycle season. "Because there are fewer motorcycles on the roads in winter, other road users can be surprised when there are suddenly a lot of motorcyclists on the road in spring," says the former motorcycle and car driving instructor.
According to Jöhr, it is also important for motorcyclists to prepare well for the new season. The condition of the motorcycle and equipment should be checked, and the motorcyclist himself must first become roadworthy again: "After the winter, motorcyclists must slowly get used to the road again. Shorter rides at the beginning of the season, for example, allow you to get the correct cornering and to practice the emergency braking maneuver in a safe environment. to practice."
Text: bfu
