In 2004, Cris Burgess developed the Rider Risk Reduction program as part of Devon County Council and Devon & Cornwall Police departments to reduce motorcycle casualties. In 2006, Cris was highly commended by the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards for the success of the project.
While representing 1-2% of road traffic by miles travelled, motorcyclists regularly contribute between one quarter and one third of all fatalities and serious injuries each year on Devon and Cornwall’s roads, a pattern consistently repeated nationally. In response to such figures, a rider improvement course was designed as an alternative to fines & penalty points for traffic offences, with the goal of reducing the number of motorcyclist injuries and deaths by changing the manner in which riders view their behaviour.
The course takes place over one day, comprised of eight different modules that challenge beliefs and perceptions of riding, with attendees examining internal justifications of ability and confidence that can lead to inappropriate behaviour. While previous efforts have focused on shock tactics, or chances for riders to ‘get it out of their system’ on a free ‘track day’, the RRR explores the determinants of risky riding, and gives clients the opportunity to reflect on these and to change to safer, more reasoned motorcycle riding.
The RRR scheme has been in operation since 2004 across the South-West, and as of February 2008, over 500 clients have attended the course. In 2006, the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards gave special commendation to Cris Burgess for his work in developing the RRR. The course has provided the basis and structure for the national RIDE motorcycle offender scheme, adopted by ACPO Roads Policing Committee as the standard police diversion for motorcycle offenders in England & Wales. A national evaluation of this scheme is currently in progress, with completion towards the end of 2009.
