Hugger returns to Essex!

The popular road safety campaign to help reduce motorcyclist deaths and injuries on the roads has been re-launched by the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP).

Hugger specifically targets other road users and encourages them to look out for motorcyclists whilst driving.

Essex motorcyclists make up around 1% of road traffic, yet are represented in 26% of road traffic crashes involving death or serious injury.

61% of all motorcycle crashes are deemed to be the fault of other road users such as car drivers, not the rider.

SERP is already involved in activities and campaigns for motorcyclists with the aim of promoting further/advanced training, encouraging them to wear the right protective equipment and to share the roads appropriately with others.

However, due to the high number of other vehicles at fault in motorcycle deaths and serious injuries, the campaign encourages other road users to keep their eyes alert for motorcyclists on roundabouts, at junctions and whilst in filtering traffic.

Our ‘Hugger’ character is the recognisable face of the campaign, and is displayed prominently on over 40 fuel forecourts across the whole county with the strapline “Only Just Spotted Me?”

 
The campaign is running until the end of August.

Nicola Foster, Chairman of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership said “Motorcyclists are substantially more at risk of being killed or seriously injured in collisions than any other motorists. I hope this new campaign raises awareness of other road users to the vulnerability of motorcyclists and encourages them to look out for them at all times”