Not sorry mate, just didn’t see you

Research released today (March 15, 2004) reveals that we believe one of the biggest dangers on the roads isn’t diesel, potholes or pensioners in Metros… it’s the lack of respect for motorcyclists among drivers. Not only are they still pulling out without spotting us, a third of them don’t care enough to bother with an apology.

A not-all-together surprising 99 per cent of us said a car had pulled out on us when riding. Half had been knocked off by a car driver in similar circumstances. Even so, it seems the ” Sorry mate… I didn’t see you ” phrase is now less often heard. Just one in three motorcyclists said car drivers bother to apologise if they pull out.

The survey, commissioned by insurance firm Bennetts, says one third of us think riding is becoming more dangerous due to car drivers showing motorcyclists less respect.

The survey has been released ahead of European Road Safety Week. Campaigns will be running across the EU combating aggressive driving and lack of mutual respect on the roads.

Lack of respect extends into a lack of understanding in critical situations, including after an accident. Respondents believed that 87 per cent of bikers would know what to do if another motorcyclist was involved in an accident, compared to just 13 per cent of other road users.

The survey was conducted in October 2003 and questioned 500 riders across the country.

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