Intelligent Transport Systems, motorcycle accidents and FEMA recommendations

Any motorist on the road today will be affected by ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) - anything from your in-car sat-nav or air bags, to speed and congestion charge cameras, may have been designed to improve safety, congestion and traffic flow on UK roads. However, the use of ITS for motorbikes, with the express intention to reduce motorcycle accidents, appears to be a rather secondary notion.

Monash University Accident Research Centre carried out a detailed survey of ITS for motorcycles and they concluded that compared to the extensive research involving ITS for cars and commercial vehicles, research specific to ITS in motorcycles is relatively scarce.

At the time of the survey the authors of the report suggested that very few ITS have been developed specifically for motorcycles, and of those that do exist the majority are in-vehicle systems such as linked braking systems, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, roll stability warning systems and electronic licensing or smart cards.

The Monash report highlighted the development of some ITS technologies that would automate some aspects of motorcycle riding; for example by applying brakes or regulating the fuel management system. The Federation of European Motorcyclists Association (FEMA) state that these applications should only be considered when it has been demonstrated that they will not destabilise a motorcycle in a range of conditions.

FEMA have produced a European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, in which they express several views and recommendations on ITS.

FEMA recognizes that the development of ITS applications may have the potential to significantly improve road safety. However, in that respect, recognition of the principle that "no ITS application should be developed if it can put a specific group of vehicles or users at higher risk" is in FEMA's opinion, fundamental for any government policy on ITS applications

Governments should exempt motorcycles from road pricing as part of the solution to traffic problems which exist throughout Europe

FEMA recommends that traffic management applications of ITS should be developed to include motorcycles which could usefully be adapted to give them priority over other vehicles.

YouClaim and motorbike accident claims
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident or have sustained a motorbike injury through no fault of your own you may be able to make a no win, no fee claim. After calling our helpline on 0800 10 757 95 or filling in an online claim form you will be assigned an accident claim solicitor who will look after your case.

Making a motorcycle accident claim with YouClaim is entirely risk free as we work on a 100% compensation, no win no fee basis. This means, win or lose, you will not have to pay a penny for our services. If you need time to think then we can call you back at a more convenient time, just let us have a few details and we will do the rest.