As of: January 30, 2024, 7:28 p.m
By: Julian Mayr
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Curves in particular can quickly become fatal for motorcyclists.
However, simple floor markings could drastically reduce the risk of accidents.
Munich – Road traffic always carries a certain risk.
This applies even more to motorcyclists.
Drivers who are inattentive for a few moments can quickly be thrown off the road.
Curves can be particularly dangerous for motorcycle drivers.
If a motorcycle takes a curve too fast or too sharply, an accident often cannot be avoided.
But there are already simple and cost-effective measures to make riding on motorcycles safer, as a glance at the neighbors shows.
Road markings are intended to protect motorcyclists
No additional speed limits, expensive speed cameras or unpopular speed bumps.
What the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV) came up with more than eight years ago to make motorcycling on Austrian roads safer was much simpler and cheaper.
In particular, confusing left-hand bends should be provided with simple floor markings to prevent motorcycle handlebars from colliding with oncoming vehicles when cornering.
For this purpose, elliptical markings were placed one after the other on the right-hand lane along the center line in a pilot project in 2016 in the federal states of Lower Austria, Burgenland and Carinthia.
Elsewhere, however, the KFV placed transverse beam foils.
The research team's idea: In the future, motorcyclists should intuitively enter the curve to the right of the markings and thus reduce the risk of a possible collision.
Elliptical ground markings can help reduce the number of motorcycle accidents.
© Board of Trustees for Road Safety
Elliptical floor markings help reduce motorcycle accidents
The results after a few years of operation were promising.
Compared to the years before the floor markings were placed in a total of eight curves, the number of motorcycle accidents with personal injuries fell by around 42 percent, reports the KFV.
No such motorcycle accidents were recorded on the curves with elliptical markings two years after they were installed.
The bar markings, however, delivered ambivalent results.
During the same period, however, according to the KFV, motorcycle accidents in open areas across Austria increased by around 10 percent, which is why the association comes to the conclusion that, overall, the markings clearly show a development in the opposite direction to the nationwide trend.
As part of the study, the KVF also took a close look at driving behavior and found “a significant shift in driving lines from the inside of the lane, i.e. the corner zone with a latent risk of collision with oncoming traffic, to the safer outside area”.
Pilot study with floor markings also a success in Tyrol
A similar pilot study was also carried out by the KFV in Tyrol.
With their many curves and beautiful views, Tyrolean mountain and pass roads are popular among motorcyclists.
In October 2023, a German motorcyclist's tour in Tyrol ended lightly.
As ORF Tirol reported, around 60 sections that were dangerous for motorcyclists were identified based on traffic accident statistics.
The roadways were then again provided with elliptical floor markings.
In 2021, an initial inventory showed that the number of motorcycle accidents on the roads in Tyrol could also be significantly reduced thanks to the markings - by a full 80 percent compared to the period from 2012 to 2018.
Due to the success of the pilot project, it was promptly expanded to other typical accident locations.
First pilot study also in Germany
However, as the KFV stated, personal responsibility is still required of motorcyclists.
The markings alone are not enough to prevent accidents.
Nevertheless: “It is possible to take effective action against dangerous – but certainly also unintentional – corner cutting by motorcyclists and thus save human lives.
Floor markings have established themselves as a simple, cost-effective and effective measure,” ORF Tirol quotes Martin Pfanner from KFV
The Austrian measure to reduce motorcycle accidents is also popular beyond the country's borders.
A corresponding pilot test started in Germany in May 2023. On a country road in the Eifel, the road was provided with the round markings to guide motorcyclists safely into the curve.