Fresh call for motorists to ‘look twice and save a life’

Motorists are being urged to take a second look for motorbikes after new figures revealed that more than half of motorcyclists involved in collisions in the North East were killed or seriously injured. 

Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) reported that the number of biker collisions in the region remains stubbornly high, with the number of serious injuries increasing last year compared to the two years previous.

From 2021 to 2025, there were 1,506 biker collisions on the region’s roads, with 65 motorcyclists killed, 772 seriously injured, and 669 slightly injured.

In many cases, the collisions were simply due to a failure to look, either by the biker themselves or motorists who did not notice the bike approaching.

Peter Slater, chair of RSGB NE, said: “Bikers are vulnerable. When they’re involved in road collisions, it can have devastating results. We know that almost half of all motorbike collisions are caused by either the biker or the driver simply not looking properly. They can be avoided.

“We’re urging bikers to ride sensibly and according to the road and conditions, and drivers need to take a second look for bikes before pulling out or overtaking.

“Don’t live with regrets – looking twice could save a life.”