Drivers becoming complacent as technology improves, Suffolk police warn
It comes following an increase in Serious and fatal collisions involving motorcyclists and cyclists across Suffolk and Norfolk.
Motorists are becoming increasingly complacent behind the wheel as modern vehicle technology takes over more driving tasks, according to a senior roads policing officer.
The warning comes as Suffolk Police supports a national campaign aimed at improving safety for motorcyclists and cyclists following a number of serious and fatal collisions involving two-wheel road users across Suffolk and Norfolk.
Chief Inspector Gary Miller, Head of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, said warmer weather was bringing more motorcyclists and cyclists onto the roads, leading to a seasonal increase in collisions.
He said those travelling on two wheels were particularly vulnerable because they lacked the protection afforded to drivers and passengers in cars and vans.
“You don't have the degree of protection that you have in a car, a van, a lorry with that big wall of metal around you,” he said. “Therefore, if you have a collision and you are on two wheels, the severity of it is always more serious.”
The force is supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council's two-wheel campaign throughout June, encouraging motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists to recognise that road safety is a shared responsibility.
Chief Inspector Miller said one factor behind continued collisions could be that drivers were becoming less engaged because modern vehicles increasingly assist with driving tasks.
“One of the other things I think that is an issue is that generally cars, vehicles, all the rest of it are becoming safer,” he said.
“You've got all the tech on modern cars that will warn you about this. It will bleep. It will tell you when you're going over the speed limit.
“Sometimes that may mean that drivers are becoming less engaged in that element of being focused on what's going on around them.”
He also highlighted distraction caused by mobile phones, as well as drink and drug driving, as continuing concerns.
The campaign is urging motorists to look twice for cyclists and motorcyclists at junctions, give vulnerable road users more space and remain patient on rural roads where visibility can be limited. Cyclists and motorcyclists are meanwhile being encouraged to wear appropriate protective equipment, carry out safety checks and ride according to road conditions.
Chief Inspector Miller said the consequences of collisions could be devastating.
“You see the devastation. It's such an unnecessary loss of life. It's an unnecessary, serious injury that someone is now facing that's life-changing,” he said.
He added that many serious collisions were preventable if road users paid closer attention and looked out for one another.