Motorcycle Safety Scheme Continues to Deliver Strong Results Across Scotland

A pioneering road safety initiative aimed at improving motorcycle safety is continuing to show significant benefits across Scotland’s trunk road network.

Project PRIME, first introduced between 2020 and 2022, involved installing specialist road markings at 22 locations to help motorcyclists better judge bends and improve positioning. The scheme’s early success led to it receiving the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2023.

The second phase of the project, carried out between 2023 and 2025, expanded the trial to 35 sites and analysed more than 47,000 motorcycle journeys. Findings indicate that the markings continue to influence rider behaviour positively, encouraging safer positioning through corners. The data also suggests that these improvements are maintained over time, with behavioural changes observed over periods of up to five years.

Safety outcomes from the trial have been notable. Across all sites, there has been a 61% reduction in motorcycle injury collisions, alongside a 46% decrease in incidents resulting in death or serious injury.

Following these results, several local authorities in Scotland are now exploring wider adoption of PRIME markings. Interest is also growing beyond Scotland, with installations already taking place at selected sites in Wales and discussions underway about potential trials in England.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop described the project as a major step forward for road safety, highlighting the importance of combining research with practical application. She noted that motorcyclists remain disproportionately represented in casualty figures, making targeted interventions like this particularly valuable.

Professor Alex Stedmon, a leading expert involved in the project, emphasised the role of behavioural science in shaping the initiative. He explained that the markings have been proven to influence key factors such as speed, braking and road positioning, contributing to safer riding practices.

The project has been supported by a range of partners, including the Road Safety Trust, Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland and Open Road Simulation, with collaboration across research, engineering and delivery.

Ruth Purdie, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Trust, said the scheme has the potential to create lasting improvements in rider behaviour. She added that, given the continued overrepresentation of motorcyclists in serious collision statistics, solutions like PRIME could play a crucial role in reducing casualties.

With growing interest from authorities across the UK, Project PRIME is increasingly being seen as a scalable approach to improving motorcycle safety nationwide.