NEWS: Clever tech for hazard perception training

Devon and Cornwall Police are working to make young riders safer on the road using some clever new technology

Motorcycling is dangerous. The statistics don’t lie; with bikers accounting for a quarter of all road deaths nationally, despite only accounting for one per cent of traffic. But Devon and Cornwall Police reckon they can help make us all safer.

That’s why they’ve decided to establish a dedicated task force in an effort to improve road safety. Last year they spent time interacting with local bikers, delivering a series of ‘Streetwise’ sessions which they claim delivered an impressive 56% reduction in motorcycle-related deaths and serious injuries. Now they’ve taken things one step further, investing in a motorcycle simulator and making plans to engage with riders aged between 16-24. It’s the first of its kind in the UK and will be used to see how simulated hazard awareness training can help reduce serious and fatal collisions.

In basic terms, it’s a Honda CB500X and a few screens that sit inside the back of a van, to test riders on their hazard perception abilities. That’s maybe doing it a disservice. It’s not quite that simple; with custom software and real-life handling. It’ll allow users to accelerate, brake and change gear as they would on a normal machine. It’ll also allow you to change the weather, and with screens surrounding the rider, it’ll be properly immersive with the sights accompanied by sounds, vibrations and a set of working mirrors to add to the realism. There’s close to 100 miles of accurate UK road network available to explore, and it offers the ability to choose from an ‘unlimited number of exercises with different levels of complexity’.

Once the riding’s done, the data from the simulator can be analysed to come up with relevant feedback to make the rider safer out in the real world. Clever, clever stuff.

Motorcycle Casualty Reduction Officer, Ian Harvey, said: “Motorcyclists are one of the highest risk road users in Devon and Cornwall and across the UK, and we’re hoping the simulator will help us to provide vital skills to inexperienced riders in a safe environment.

“Every death and serious injury on our roads has a devastating impact. We’ll be using the simulator at every available opportunity to engage with riders about how they can hone their skills and help us to reduce the number of deaths or serious injuries on UK roads.”

First the simulator’s going to be off on its travels around the colleges of Devon and Cornwall, before heading off to a selection of big biker-friendly events including The Mega Ride Festival, and the Formula 1, MotoGP and BSB rounds. If you see it on your travels, go and have a gander.