More than 120 bikers killed or injured in South Tyneside as borough records highest casualty rate

Figures released by the campaign group Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) show the borough had the highest rate when comparing casualties to the number of miles ridden by motorcyclists, with a rate of 7.9 injuries per million motorcycle miles.

From 2015 to 2019, there were 129 motorcycle casualties on South Tyneside’s roads, with 81 resulting in slight injuries and 45 in serious injuries. There were three fatalities.

Paul Watson, chairman of RSGB NE, said figures were down on previous years, but it was still a matter of great concern.

He said: “We’re very pleased that the number of overall biker casualties has fallen, but we continue to be concerned that more than half of all bike collisions result in a rider either losing their life or being seriously injured.

“Less than 1% of vehicle miles travelled on the region’s roads are by bikers, but they account for 18% of those that are killed or seriously injured, so there is much more that we can do.”

Across the North East, the failure to look properly was recorded as a factor in 47% of the collisions, by either the biker or the driver, with a poor manoeuvre accounting for 24%.

Meanwhile, around 60% of collisions leading to the death or serious injury of a rider happen on rural roads and two-thirds of all collisions happen in areas with 20, 30 or 40mph speed limits. Those aged 16 to 24 account for a third of casualties.

Motor Patrols Inspector Dean Hood, from Northumbria Police, said: “Motorcyclists can help avoid being seriously injured by wearing appropriate safety clothing and equipment and making sure their motorcycle is road-worthy and checked regularly.

“Other drivers need to make sure they take extra time to check for motorcyclists before pulling away – that extra look can save a life.”