May 6th, 2025.



New research by IAM RoadSmart reveals that one third of motorcyclists have experienced objects being thrown out of moving vehicles in the past 12 months, including being doused in windscreen wash. Plus, eight in ten riders report that drivers fail to look out for motorcyclists when pulling out of junctions.

Drivers are chucking litter and cigarette butts out of their windows as motorcyclists overtake their vehicles, according to new research. One third (37%) of riders reported the shocking behaviour to road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which surveyed 600 of its motorcycle members on their experiences over the past 12 months.

Motorcyclists told the charity some drivers are deliberately spraying windscreen wash when they are behind them, as well as cutting them up and preventing them from filtering through traffic. Filtering through slow moving traffic is legal if it is done safely and with due care and attention. Eight in ten (80%) motorcyclists also reported seeing drivers being distracted by mobile phones, and 80 percent said drivers failed to look out for bikers when pulling out of junctions.

Other worrying behaviours include more than half of drivers failing to check mirrors as they overtake (54%), a third (28%) of people in parked cars opening their doors without checking for bikes (so-called car dooring), and more than 60 percent of drivers tailgating bikers. The extent to which riders are having to cope with poor driver behaviour is deeply concerning given that motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable of all road users.

According to the 2023 Department for Transport’s reported road casualty data, one third (37%) of motorcycle fatalities were in two vehicle collisions between a motorcycle and a car and the most common contributory factor allocated to motorcyclists involved in a fatal or serious collisions with another vehicle was ‘Driver or rider failed to look properly’ accounting for one third (29%) of those killed or seriously injured.

IAM RoadSmart Policy and Standards Director Nicholas Lyes said: “Hurling litter and cigarette butts at motorcyclists is shocking and completely reckless. Taking umbrage just because bikers are able to get ahead is at best petty, and at worst downright dangerous.

“Equally motorcyclists should ride responsibly, but it’s important to keep in mind that bikers are some of the most vulnerable on the road and will almost always come off worse in the event of a collision.

“Deaths and serious injuries remain a real concern for motorcyclists, but a little courtesy and additional checks go a long way to improving the safety of some of the most vulnerable on the road."

NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch added: “The lack of concern and awareness that many drivers have for motorcyclists remains an urgent issue for the UK’s most vulnerable road user group. It’s clear that the forthcoming Government Road Safety Strategy need a focus on driver education and enforcement when it comes to behaviour towards those on two wheels. Drivers were also polled as part of this survey and around a third reported risky behaviours by some riders, illustrating the need for proper support for post-test rider skills training, plus other initiatives to positively encourage rider skills development as part of the Road Safety Strategy.”