Road Safety Trust supports new hazard perception test

The National Young Rider Forum is working on the development of a ‘good quality, motorcycle specific hazard perception test’ tailored to the needs of young riders.

The project has been funded by The Road Safety Trust and will be carried out with the expertise of Dr Victoria Kroll and Dr David Crundall of Esitu Solutions, a spin out company from Nottingham Trent University.

Young motorcyclists are overrepresented in crash statistics. The data show many of the crashes they are involved in are the fault of other vehicles, particularly those with four wheels.

This project seeks to improve the hazard perception, and hazard prediction skills of young riders.

It will do so by filming those hazards from the perspective of a motorcyclist riding in a mainly urban road environment. This will ensure the test will reflect the real dangers faced by riders.

Dr Victoria Kroll, CEO of Esitu Solutions, said: “Esitu Solutions is really excited to be collaborating with the National Young Rider Forum on this pivotal project.

“Saving lives lies at the core of our company’s mission, and we are immensely grateful to The Road Safety Trust for their funding, enabling us to make riders safer on the roads.”

Heidi Duffy MBE, facilitator of the National Young Rider Forum, said: “Sadly, over the last three years, nearly 12,000 young motorcyclists have been injured in road crashes, and of those, nearly 4,000 have been killed or seriously injured.

“So, projects like this are vital, if we are to alert our riders to the hazards they could face out on the road, and reduce road crashes involving them, in the future.

“We look forward to working with Esitu Solutions on this prestigious project and wish to thank The Road Safety Trust for funding this work.”

Ruth Purdie OBE, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “It is well known that motorcyclists are over-represented in crash statistics. It is hoped that by improving the hazard perception skills of young riders, this project help reduce these collisions and save lives.”

The project is expected to be completed by 2025.