UK Motorcycle Safety Video Shows Fatal Crash
The Norfolk Constabulary, a British police agency, released it Sept. 4 to send a powerful message to motorists. The motorcyclist's family supports the release of the video from their son's headcam.
A new safety video from the Norfolk Constabulary, a police department in England, includes headcam video that shows the collision in which motorcyclist David Holmes died last June. Released Sept. 4 with his family's support, the video includes his mother, Brenda, speaking about her son's life and love of riding his motorcycle.
Holmes was traveling about 97 mph when his bike struck an oncoming car that turned in front of him. That car's driver told police he had not seen Holmes or the car behind him.
Chief Inspector Chris Spinks, who heads the Norfolk and Suffolk Roads Policing Unit, said he understood public opinion would be divided about it. "The video is shocking; however this is the reality of fatal collisions. The emotions people may experience after seeing this video can only touch the surface of those feelings that families and friends go through when losing a loved one in this way. The consequences of fatal collisions are devastating for all involved and as such our message though education has to reflect this. I firmly believe this footage is powerful enough to make riders and drivers think about their behavior on the road and, most important of all, change it for the better," he said.
"I understand releasing such footage will divide opinion; David's family are in full support of the material being released, and we've worked closely with his mother Brenda to ensure this is achieved in an effective and sensitive way," Spinks added. "The causes of collisions are almost always the result of driver or rider behavior. Motorists, be it on two wheels or four, need to take responsibility for their actions. I would urge riders and drivers to think about their behavior and what changes they could make to improve their own safety and that of others on the road. I'm confident this campaign will make people take time to think about their actions on the roads and allow David’s family to take something positive out of this tragic event. The aim of releasing this footage is not to achieve agreement from the public; it's about delivering messages around road safety and how deaths can be prevented. I welcome the fact it will create debate and, in my view, this will get people talking about road safety; their actions behind the wheel or on a bike and it will go some way to achieving our aims."