A new toolkit, designed to improve motorcycle safety, is now available for road authorities across the UK and beyond.
Funded by The Road Safety Trust, the innovative Project PRIME has improved motorcycle safety in Scotland, where specially designed road markings at 22 trial sites led to improvements in rider behaviour and safety on left-hand bends.
Key findings from over 32,000 motorcycles observed on video at these sites include:
- Reduced speeds on critical bends
- Improved road positioning, both approaching and navigating bends
- Better braking behaviour, enhancing rider control
- Zero injury collisions at sites previously identified as high-risk
These results earned Project PRIME the prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in December 2023, celebrating its outstanding contribution to road safety.
Now, a newly released PRIME installation toolkit provides local authorities and their road safety partnerships with the resources to replicate its success.
Developed by Transport Scotland, in collaboration with BEAR Scotland and expert Professor Alex Stedmon, the toolkit offers practical guidance based on the project’s real-world trials.
The toolkit has already sparked interest from road safety experts worldwide, including those in continental Europe, South Africa, and Australia.
Fiona Fylan, Scotland’s cabinet secretary for transport, said: “Project PRIME has clearly had a positive impact on road safety in Scotland, so I’m very proud and encouraged to see it attract interest from road authorities close to home and parties further afield. It gives international recognition to the hard work of all the partners involved.
“The award-winning project shows what can happen when academic theory is supported by real world application – all made possible thanks to Scottish engineering and a strong partnership approach.”
Professor Alex Stedmon, who led the research, highlighted the science behind the solution. He said: “As a psychologist and a keen motorcyclist, I am very proud to have led the research on this work. While the solution might appear simple, the science behind it is complex.
“With the installation toolkit we have produced, other road safety stakeholders can take the knowledge we have developed and put it into practise to help reduce motorcycle casualties on the road.”
Ruth Purdie OBE, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “The PRIME project exemplifies the kind of innovative, evidence-based approach that can make a real difference in improving road safety.
“The Road Safety Trust was delighted to have funded such pioneering work, and we hope local authorities across the UK and beyond will embrace this toolkit to help protect motorcyclists and reduce casualties worldwide.”
For more information and to access the toolkit, visit the Transport Scotland website.
(Picture – Road Safety GB)
