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So far this month, almost half of serious collisions involved vulnerable road users: that’s 23 killed or seriously injured in road collisions.
With the introduction of the Hierarchy of Road Users, two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians are officially identified as vulnerable road users and those at most risk in the event of a collision.
This places them right at the top of the hierarchy.
As part of our #SummerRoadSafetyEssex campaign, Adam Pipe, Head of our Roads Policing Unit said:
“The Hierarchy of Road Users places a greater responsibility on all drivers and riders to drive with consideration of others, placing vulnerable road users at the centre of our driving decision-making.
“If everyone understands that they now have responsibility for the safety of others and revisit their driving style and make those necessary changes, we can work together to reduce the number of collisions and casualties on our roads.”
Between 1–18 July, we recorded 48 collisions where a casualty was killed or seriously injured (KSI) and almost 48% involved a vulnerable road user, identified as follows:
Speaking about better driving decisions, Essex Police driving instructor, Sergeant Paul Hills, said:
“If we can reduce driver error-related mistakes, we could be well on our way to reducing the number of collisions.
"Giving yourself and other road users time and space when driving would be a start.”
Sergeant Hills, who teaches road craft to our own motorcyclists added:
“Two-wheel, rider error-related collisions can also be avoided by riders reducing speed especially going into bends, anticipating hazards ahead, using caution, giving yourself time to react and correct positioning at junctions or roundabouts.
“If a rider comes off a two-wheel vehicle for any reason, they could prevent or at least minimise the level of injury sustained by wearing protective clothing. Think helmet, leathers, boots and gloves.”
Let’s work together and make our roads the safest they can be and support #SummerRoadSafetyEssex in whatever way you can.
Speed limit signs show the upper limit to how fast you can go, they’re not a target to exceed.
We all want to get to where we’re going but speeding up could slow you down and make you late if you are involved in a collision.
Speeding is a contributory factor in serious collisions and the consequences can be more serious for two-wheeled vehicles – riders of motorcycles and pedal cycles – not forgetting e-scooters.
That’s why we want everyone to support our #SummerRoadSafetyEssex campaign, to ensure all road users are safe.
Take our advice – slow down, take heed of the speed limit and drive according to the road conditions.
If you are a motorcyclist, consider taking a specialist course to help improve your riding skills with our emergency service colleagues at FireBike Better Biking Course.
Knowing what’s around the next bend may be impossible, but by pre-empting what may be heading your way could help you avoid a collision.
When approaching a road bend or junction, approach at the right speed and make sure you are in the correct lane.
By considering that there may be something approaching from another direction, may prevent a collision.
No matter what the weather, motorcyclists know that wearing protective clothing will help protect you should you come off your motorcycle for any reason.
Your choice of clothing could limit the level of injuries you receive if you are involved in a collision. Think helmet, leathers, boots and gloves.
The same is true for other two-wheel vehicles – pedal cycles and e-scooters.
Wear protective clothing to look after yourself.
If you’re out over the weekend remember, e-scooters are not just a fun item.
Lots of people use them to transport them to wherever they need to be. But if you use one when you are drunk, you could be arrested.
Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use in public places but you can use a trial e-scooter to help get you home at the end of a night out.
Whichever one you use, if you have been drinking and are over the limit, you could be arrested for drink driving. The same is true for drug driving, meaning you could be disqualified from driving for either offence and get points on your licence, even a provisional licence.
If you’re drink or drug driving, your reactions will be slow and your judgement impaired, leading to a collision. As a vulnerable road user, you could sustain serious injuries.
Don’t drink or drug drive.
Whichever mode of transport you use, we want you all to be safe.
You can do that by watching out for our more vulnerable road users – those on two wheels and those on two feet, crossing our roads.
Reduce your speed, anticipate hazards at junctions, wear a seatbelt and don’t get distracted by mobile phones.
Enjoy a social afternoon with friends and family, but don’t drink or drug drive. Your reactions will be slow and your judgement impaired and could lead to a collision. Or you could be arrested, leaving your family to have all the fun.