Motorists are being urged to look twice at junctions as more motorcyclists take to the roads with the arrival of better weather.
The reminder comes from road safety charity GEM Motoring Assist, which says collisions at junctions remain a major danger for bikers.
More than four in ten of all serious or fatal motorcycle crashes happen at or near a junction.
Last year alone, 315 motorcyclists lost their lives and over 5,400 were seriously injured.
GEM warns that the most common excuse following a crash is “Sorry mate, I didn’t see you,” known in road safety circles as a “SMIDSY”.
But with proper care and awareness, these tragic incidents can be avoided.
The problem, says GEM’s James Luckhurst, is that drivers often don’t expect to see bikes and therefore don’t register them.
He says motorcycles occupy only a small part of the visual field, and drivers’ minds tend to filter them out if they aren’t actively being looked for.
This psychological blind spot can have devastating consequences.
As the weekend traffic increases, so does the number of bikers heading out on scenic and social rides.
That means drivers need to be especially sharp when pulling out from junctions or turning across oncoming traffic.
GEM is calling on drivers to check their mirrors, double-check blind spots, and look specifically for motorcycles before pulling out.
They also advise allowing riders plenty of space, especially when they are filtering through slower traffic.
Judging a rider’s speed can be difficult, so slowing down and staying alert can save lives.
Indicators should be used early and clearly to give riders time to react.
Even a slight delay or distraction behind the wheel can lead to disaster.
GEM stresses that focusing on the road ahead and anticipating the presence of motorbikes is key to avoiding harm.
Inattention, assumption, and poor judgement are all enemies of road safety.
A few seconds of care at a junction could mean the difference between a safe journey and a serious collision.
Motorcyclists have far less protection than those in cars, making them far more vulnerable in any impact.
As the weather continues to improve, so too does the responsibility for drivers to be vigilant.
The message is simple but urgent — look properly, see the rider, save a life.
