Devon County Council supports new safety card for motorcyclists

Devon County Council's road safety team is supporting a new scheme which could help save the lives of motorcyclists if they are involved in a road traffic collision.

The Motorcycle CRASH Card is an initiative created by the Ambulance Motorcycle Club, a group of experienced paramedics and ambulance staff who are passionate about motorcycling. The scheme encourages motorcyclists to carry cards containing vital life-saving information in the event of an incident.

Motorcyclists can place the free card securely in their helmets. It comes with a green sticker to attach to the outside of the helmet to indicate to arriving emergency services that a CRASH card is contained inside.

The card, which is about the size of a credit card, holds vital information including medical history, the details of any medication currently being taken, and telephone numbers of the next of kin. The initiative won the 2011 Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.

Riders can request a free card directly by emailing bikers@devon.gov.uk

CRASH cards will also be distributed by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue at events such as Paignton and Plymouth bike nights, which will be held throughout the Summer until the end of September, as well as other events in the county.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and we are committed to reducing the number of motorcycle casualties on our roads.

"While we continue to provide measures to improve safety for bikers there is always the risk of crashes occurring.

"The CRASH cards provide emergency staff with immediate access to information that can be crucial in ensuring the best treatment is given at the scene. As they’re free there’s no reason not to have one and we would urge all riders to make use of them.”

Each year, despite only making up around 1% of traffic in Devon, motorcyclists normally make up a quarter of road users killed on the county’s roads.