Cycle Safety: Reliance on technology could lead to driver complacency

It has been reported that over the last ten years the number of road accidents involving cyclists has increased. There has been a focus on innovative technology and new legislation as a solution to the issue but RTITB, a leading workplace transport training body, has recommended making drivers more accountable and concentrate on improving driver training and awareness.

In 2014, there were 21,287 cyclists reported injured in road accidents according to information from ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents). Included in this number are 3,514 fatalities and serious injuries. The Society believes that this number could be doubled if unreported accidents are taken into account.

It is thought that 56 cyclists are killed in incidents with LGVs in the UK every year, with figures showing human error to be leading cause of cyclist collisions.

As a result of this, RTITB have been involved in training LGV drivers in their responsibilities whilst on the road.

Laura Nelson, Managing Director at RTITB, said: “We want to challenge the popular view that technology and legislation is the answer to all cyclist related accidents.

“We need to remember that driver behaviour is key.  It seems unbelievable that the controversial stance is to suggest that proper training, rather than technology, could help prevent many of these incidents involving vulnerable road users.”

Giving a presentation at the recent Health & Safety Event 2016, RTITB’s Technical Services Executive, Richard Brewer investigated how improved driver awareness could help to minimise the number of fatal incidents involving goods vehicles and vulnerable road users.

ROSPA have concluded that drivers turning across the path of a cyclist is the most common cause of cyclist collision, with drivers taking risks, not paying due care and attention and even stresses from the job cited as reasons for these incidents. As a result of these findings, RTITB are making sure drivers have adequate training and are fully aware of their road responsibilities.

Mr Brewer said a “reliance” on technology was leading to people to presume that this was always the solution but could actually lead to driver complacency.

He commented: “”Your brain is more powerful than the world’s biggest computer – it will always outperform the most high-tech cameras and sensors, if it is given the proper training.”

“A well trained driver with professional standards working with the right technology is the best way to improve the safety of everyone on the road, including vulnerable road users.  At RTITB we’re trying to shift the focus onto good training and put the responsibility for making the road a safer place back into the drivers’ hands.”

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