Dramatic new SmartWitness dashcam footage from a fleet client shows a biker come a cropper after a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre. The motorcyclist is thrown from his bike after a silver saloon car turns into his path just as he is overtaking a black Mercedes who is turning right at a road junction.

The biker narrowly avoids smashing head on into the silver saloon.

Sparks fly from his bike as he swerves to avoid the collision and he is left sprawling on the road.

Amazingly, the biker escaped with only minor injuries following the smash on the A665 in Ardwick, close to Manchester city centre.

The video, shot in June, has been released by vehicle CCTV firm SmartWitness to highlight the dangers of motorcyclists overtaking close to junctions as new figures show a record number of biker casualties on Britain’s roads.

It was shot by one its fleet clients who have achieved rapid savings in their insurance claims after fitting the cameras to their vehicles. 

Motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for 21% of all road deaths in the UK last year, according to Department for Transport figures. 

A total of 365 motorcyclists lost their lives, the equivalent of one per day. 

This was an increase of 8% from 2014 and contrasts with a general downward trend for fatalities among other road users.

The number of fatalities among car occupants was down 5%, pedestrians down 9% and cyclists down 12%.

The number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in the UK also increased in both 2013 and 2014.

Almost half of all motorcycling accidents occur at junctions (45%) and ‘a failure to look properly’ was the most frequently cited cause of these accidents.

SmartWitness chief executive Paul Singh said: “Sadly, motorcycle deaths and injuries on UK roads are steadily increasing and this video shows why.

“While the majority of motorcyclists drive very safely, there is a growing minority of bikers who do take unnecessary risks and cause avoidable accidents.

“The Mercedes driver in this incident had a SmartWitness camera which captured the whole incident on film. He was able to show that he was blameless and that the accident was caused by the motorcyclist overtaking at the wrong time.

“The motorcyclist had a very lucky escape. It was a miracle that he only suffered a few minor injuries.

“While Britain’s roads are getting safer, casualties involving motorcyclists continue to increase. We urge all motorcyclists to be extra-vigilant, particularly when they are travelling close to junctions.”

The accident was captured on a SmartWitness KP1 camera, which provides instant notification following an incident. 

Just 2% of collisions captured on SmartWitness cameras result in disputed claims – against an industry norm of 40% of all motoring claims.

More than 50% of fleets in the UK are now covered by in-cab CCTV to guard against cash-for-crash and reduce insurance premiums.

Sales of SmartWitness cameras have shot up by 40% in the last two years as increasing numbers of fleets and private motorists fit dash-cams to their vehicles.

Fore more details go to www.smartwitness.com or ring 0844 947 1000

SmartWitness

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