Start of the motorcycle season: More accidents among young people?

It is true that motorcyclists only cover around three percent of all motor vehicle kilometers on Swiss roads, as the Swiss Federal Accident Prevention Bureau (BFU) writes in a press release. The fact that motorcyclists are still responsible for a quarter of the most serious traffic accidents per year is alarming. Every year, more than 1000 bikers are seriously injured and 50 lose their lives. As a rule, however, it is the 15- to 17-year-olds who are most affected. According to the BFU, they are twice as likely to have an accident as those aged 30 to 39. Their behavior also tends to be riskier, as they are less able to control impulses and are more likely to underestimate themselves when driving.

Possible increase in serious accidents among young people

The BFU even suspects an increase in serious motorcycle accidents among young people. The reason: since this year, 15- and 16-year-olds now also have access to 125cc machines. With the more powerful and faster machines, however, the risk of accidents and more serious injuries also increases. It is therefore very important that young bikers receive sound driving training, during which they are made aware of motorcycle-specific dangers, explains Christoph Jöhr, motorcycle expert at BFU. "The problem is that many leave it at the obligatory practical basic course and - unlike driving a car - forego sound training in a driving school," Jöhr continues.

The most important tips for safe motorcycle riding:

• Driving with foresight and defensively
• Always expect to be overlooked
• Do not cut corners and regularly practice proper braking
• Wear protective equipment - even on short distances
• Riding a motorcycle with ABS (anti-lock braking system) - pay attention to this also with second-hand motorcycles.
• Young bikers: get trained as soon as possible and comprehensively in a motorcycle riding school

Source: AAIB