Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is calling for a renewed focus on shared responsibility among all road users, following newly released government figures that reveal an 8% rise in motorcycle fatalities on Britain’s roads in 2024.
Although there are small drops in deaths among car occupants and cyclists, these gains are overshadowed by the rise in lives lost among motorcyclists. GEM highlights that current road safety efforts are inadequate and emphasises the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy, as long promised by the government.
Motorcyclists continue to be one of the most at-risk groups on the road, facing disproportionately high risks compared to other modes of transport.
The rise in motorcycle deaths underscores the urgent need for better awareness among car drivers, improved training for both riders and motorists, and decisive action to help everyone make safer decisions while traveling.
James Luckhurst, GEM’s head of road safety, stated: “This increase in motorcycle fatalities should serve as a wake-up call. While the 1% reduction in overall road casualties is a positive sign, it is still not good enough. This is why we are calling on the national government to step up, demonstrate strong leadership, and deliver its long-awaited strategy without delay.
“We also need commitment from individuals. Reducing road casualties is the responsibility of everyone; we all have the opportunity to play our part, whether as drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, or passengers. By driving at safe speeds, avoiding distractions, wearing seatbelts, and showing courtesy to other road users, we contribute to safer roads and help protect the lives of those around us.”
GEM urges everyone to look out for each other, reduce risks where possible, and use the roads with care, courtesy, and concentration—the same principles by which the organisation was founded in 1932.
