Southampton firm calls for Government action after rise in serious cycle casualties

A Hampshire law firm is calling for Government action over cycle safety, after figures show that despite a drop in other road casualties serious cycle injuries are on the increase.

The latest quarterly road casualty statistics released by the Department for Transport (DfT) shows there has been an alarming seven per cent jump in the number of bike riders being killed or seriously injured.

Moore Blatch Resolve, which works with cycle accidents victims, says the figures need to be a catalyst for the Government to act and introduce a clear manifesto for how these figures will be reduced.

“As a firm we regularly deal with the victims of traffic accidents, and see the devastation they can cause,” explains Ciaran McCabe, road traffic accident specialist from Moore Blatch Resolve.

“In Hampshire there has been a reported 3,177 accidents, including 598 serious injuries and 34 fatalities - and that’s before taking into account what’s happening in the city centres. Areas like Fareham are even seeing one incident every week.”

Moore Blatch recently started working with a young male cyclist who was left seriously injured following an accident with a lorry. In another case, Innes Marlow a cyclist from Fareham, also recently suffered facial injuries and damage to his shoulder after being knocked off his bike on a Gosport road.

Innes Marlow said: “I strongly back any move to increase safety for cyclists. I’ve always been a keen cyclist but I regularly see near misses and drivers putting other road users at risk.

“When you are involved in an accident yourself it comes as a stark wake up call. I was very lucky not to have been seriously injured but I have been left with a reminder in the form of ongoing shoulder problems and scarring.”

Ciaran added: “These are just two cases, but sadly there are many more. They really illustrate the need for clear and immediate action.”

For further information on Moore Blatch, please visit www.mooreblatch.com