ACEM released in 2006 the “Guidelines for PTW-safer road design in Europe” as part of the integrated approach of its Safety Plan for Action. This technical manual, developed together with road engineers and mainly aimed at policy makers, urban planners and contractors, supplied information which could also have safety benefit for PTW users. The comic strip is the medium chosen by ACEM to convey in a user-friendly format the valuable information of the Infrastructure Handbook to PTW users.
The cartoon can be downloaded from www.acem.eu/cartoon. Following the first release on junctions, the next episodes will feature roadside hazards, dangerous road surfaces, diesel and liquid spills, damaged and badly repaired surfaces, badly designed traffic calming devices, night time hazards, winter and ice treatments, surface debris, badly designed central islands, metal fixtures and paint markings and badly designed curves.
With this safety campaign the Motorcycle Industry reaffirms its commitment toward safety. ACEM is a signatory of the European Road Safety Charter aiming at reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2010.
QUOTE:
"Jacques Compagne, Secretary General of ACEM: The growing role of PTW in Europe’s mobility landscape calls for dedicated safety campaigns. With this initiative Motorcycle Manufacturers willingly take their share of collective responsibility reiterating their pledge to obtaining the goal of the European Road Safety Charter. However, in order to be effective, safety policies need to be based on an integrated approach, combining actions also from the authorities and the user. "
ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of 11 powered two wheelers (PTWs) manufacturers producing a total of 26 motorcycle, scooter and moped brands, and 15 national associations out of 13 European countries.
*MAIDS - Motorcycle Accidents In-Depth Study - analyzed more than 900 motorcycle and moped accidents during the period 1999-2003 in five sampling areas located in France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and Italy. To provide comparative information, more than 900 control cases have also been analyzed in the same sampling areas. The data collected in the MAIDS study represents currently the most comprehensive database of PTW accidents available today. See www.maids-study.eu
