Don’t crunch after lunch, bikers are warned

Cumbria Safety Cameras (CSC) has launched its Don't Crunch After Lunch campaign to warn bikers about the hazards of riding in the county.

Analysis of Cumbria's road traffic accident statistics shows that the majority of accidents involving motorcyclists occur after lunch -peaking between 3.00 and 5.00pm.

"Most people labour under the misconception that all the safety camera team does is sit at hotspots and catch speeding motorists," said CSC spokesman Kevin Tea. "A substantial amount of time is spent looking at the results of traffic surveys we undertake and analysing accident data so we can see the larger picture regarding driving patterns and behaviour."

"Riders often have an early start and some hard riding, and the 'Siesta Syndrome' after lunch, and a subsequent drop in concentration, seems the most likely reason why accidents soar in the afternoon," Kevin Tea added. "Also, as an agricultural county, Cumbria has its own peculiar hazards for bikers. Diesel, mud and slurry from tractors, cars parked awkwardly at beauty spots and the danger of collisions with assorted wildlife such as pheasants, badgers, hares and deer all call for a high level of attention at all times."

Emphasising the educational nature of Don't Crunch After Lunch, Tea was keen to stress that CSC is not discriminating against motorcyclists. "All members of the CSC management team are current or former bikers and we have no desire to stop motorcyclists coming into the county," he said. "We have identified some significant factors in motorcycle accidents - which are mirrored in other areas of the country - and want to present them in a non-finger-wagging manner. That's all we can do. It is up to individuals to either bear these in mind or ignore them."

In 2003 there were seven motorcycle fatalities and 79 serious accidents involving motorcycles in Cumbria.

For further information contact Kevin Tea on 01768 217791, or kevin.tea@cumbria.police.uk