RECENT REPORTS SHOW A CLEAR and worrying trend of increased incidents concerning motorcycles, with a corresponding and unwelcome increase in motorcyclist injuries and fatalities.
Drivers are encouraged to take extra care at junctions, in an attempt to reduce collisions with motorcyclists.
Making that extra check for riders at every junction, on every journey, will greatly reduce the risk, and do our bit for road safety.
In 2022, 222 motorcyclists were killed in Australia. Many of these incidents took place at or near junctions, where drivers failed to see an approaching motorcyclist before starting a manoeuvre. Motorcyclists are approximately 30 times more likely to be killed than occupants of a motor vehicle.
So common are collisions between cars and motorcycles, the phenomenon has picked up a nickname, “SMIDSY” – “Sorry mate, I didn’t see you”.
As human beings we’re not very good at identifying motorcyclists because they occupy such a small part of our field of vision. What’s more, if we’re not expecting to see one, then the chance of spotting one coming towards us is further reduced, and the risk of a collision is greatly increased.
So that crucial second glance before pulling out may well reveal other hazards we missed when we looked first time and saw nothing – either because of naturally-occurring blind spot issues or because we were not expecting to see anything.
Before pulling out of junctions, look carefully all around. Make a specific check for motorcyclists coming towards you. They’re not always easy to spot – but if you’re expecting them to be there, then you’re far more likely to see them in good time… and prevent a potentially serious collision.
Avoid SMIDSY: tips for drivers
- Before pulling out at any junction, expect a motorcyclist – maybe more than one – to be coming towards you.
- Have a really good look, and don’t pull out unless you are 100 percent sure there’s nothing coming.