A new campaign has been launched by the Department for Transport that aims to increase levels of awareness by motorists regarding the considerable danger their vehicles can pose to motorcyclists.

Delivered as part of the ongoing Think! road safety initiative, the new 'Didn't See' campaign will run for four weeks and aims to focus on reducing the number of motorcyclists involved in collisions at junctions – a prime spot for accidents on the UK's roads.

Road safety minister Robert Goodwill concluded: "More than two people lose their lives every week in this way and this is something we are determined to change."

Furthermore, he added that in many cases, accidents are caused when drivers pull out after not realising that a rider is approaching. Think!'s data revealed this was a factor in up to 50 per cent of motorcycle accidents on the UK's roads last year.

According to the government's figures, motorcyclists make up just one per cent of all road users in the UK, but are involved in 19 per cent of all fatal accidents.

It is for this reason that drivers need to have greater awareness of the risks their vehicle poses to more vulnerable road users, with bike riders 55 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than car occupants.

Supporting the rollout of the new campaign, motorcyclist and previous accident victim Priscila Currie stated: "People make mistakes but drivers should remember that mistakes can cost lives.

"Behind the motorcycle helmet is a person. We have families, friends, careers and a life, just like other road users, so I would urge drivers to please take longer … to look out for motorcyclists."

Ms Currie was hospitalised for 12 days and underwent 18 months of physiotherapy and rehabilitation after colliding with a vehicle in central London. She continues to live with chronic pain and has limited mobility as a result of the accident.