Two-Wheeler Casualties On The Rise

PROVISIONAL Government figures relating to spring 2013 show an increase in deaths on the road, with motorbike and pedal cyclist casualty rates in particular on the rise.

The estimates showed that there were 450 deaths in reported road accidents in Britain between April and June) - a 12% rise on the figure of 402 in the same period last year. Car user and pedestrian casualties - those killed or seriously or slightly injured - fell in spring 2013, but pedal cyclist casualties rose 12%, while motorcyclist casualties were up 4%.

Including just those killed and seriously injured (KSI) statistics, motorcyclist casualties were up 8% and pedal cyclist casualties were up 4%.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the increases "were at least partly due to the large change in weather conditions", as rainfall had been particularly heavy in the April-June 2012 period.

The DfT added: "In comparison with this, the UK mean rainfall level between April and June 2013 was 40%, returning to the long-term average. It is therefore likely that the markedly drier weather in 2013 would have increased the number of vulnerable road users -.particularly motorcyclists and pedal cyclists - on the road, relative to the same period in 2012, thus increasing their relative exposure to accidents."

The estimates also showed an increase of 3.4% in road traffic levels between spring 2012 and spring 2013.

By By Press Association reporters