Motoring

Motoring

Dozens of lives could be saved every year if, like helmets, motorbike airbag jackets were made compulsory by the government according to leading Accident and Emergency Doctors.

The equivalent of car air bags, the jackets are worn by bikers and inflate if a rider is thrown off during a crash, helping protect the wearer.

The most recent figures from the Department for Transport reveal that 561 motorcyclists died in 2007. But while motorcyclists account for just 1% of road users, they make up almost 20% (19%) of fatalities.

Dr Andy Parfitt, spokesperson for the College of Emergency Medicine (CEM) and a leading accident and Emergency doctor at St Thomas' Hospital in London says: "Dozens of lives could be saved if these airbag jackets were made compulsory. Also, it's not just the lives saved, there're the injuries they could help prevent for people who do survive but have to live with life long effects of accidents too."

"There's no questions that airbag jackets do protect the vital organs and spine over and above the level that a normal jacket provides. The majority of deaths from motorcycle accidents are due to injuries that should be prevented by these type of jackets."

Dineth Wijayarathna (32) who was lucky to survive a motorcycle crash 2 years ago which left him fighting for his life thinks the airbag jackets would improve safety for motorcyclists.

He says: "I've got a Ducati 749. It's my pride and joy and I'm on it all the time. I commute on it and use it to go and see friends. I was at a race day at Brands Hatch doing 130 mph when my rear suspension broke and I came off. I broke my back, my pelvis in two places and a few ribs. I spent 2 weeks in hospital and had two major operations. I couldn't walk for 3 months and spent 6 months in rehab. I've still a plate with 6 bolts in my pelvis as well as two 90mm bolts connecting my pelvis to my spine."

"I've seen a few of these airbag jackets come onto the market in the last few years and I think they're an amazing idea. If they do save lives then I'm all for it. They'd be a great addition to general safety for motorcyclists as it's an inherently dangerous pursuit - on the road, I'd think they'd be fantastic."

There are now several airbag jackets available in the UK.

However, the Department for Transport have no plans to make these jackets compulsory.

In a statement they say: "We work closely with motorcycle groups and manufacturers to explore ways of improving the safety of motorcyclists. These include driver and rider awareness campaigns and our SHARP helmet safety rating system - the first of its kind in the world.

"There are no plans to make these jackets compulsory but we welcome any new technologies which may improve safety on the roads and will monitor the use and performance of airbag jackets through our regular communications with rider groups and the industry."

Attribute to Radio1 Newsbeat