Video: Nearly 12million people watch road safety campaign video featuring fatal collision on A47 of motorcyclist David Holmes

Footage from a headcam shortly before a crash on the A47 which killed David Holmes. (Image: Archant)

Nearly 12million people have now watched a road safety campaign video which features footage of a fatal collision in Norfolk.

The dramatic film, captured on a headcam fitted to David Holmes’ helmet, shows the moment a car crosses into the path of Norwich motorcyclist David Holmes who was killed on the A47 at Honingham in June last year.

The film was released with the aim of getting riders and drivers to think about road safety and ultimately save lives.

As well as millions of views, thousands of people have also given their views and opinions on the Norfolk and Suffolk police social media pages and websites, with messages also coming from Russia, USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Ecuador, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and France.

Chief Inspector Chris Spinks, head of the Norfolk and Suffolk Roads Policing Unit, said: “I’m really astonished by the response and I’m confident that with this number of people having seen the video, someone’s behaviour has been influenced for the better.

“David’s family have always been of the belief that if this video could save just one life it would have been worth releasing into the public domain. I believe that due to the high levels of interest, we have gone some way to achieving this.

“The video is creating debate and whatever your opinion the good thing is that people are talking about road safety which will ultimately get them thinking about their behaviour on the roads.”

Brenda Holmes, David’s mother, said she had been amazed by how widely the video had been viewed and that she is keen to address some of the negative comments which had been received.

She said: “Firstly, I am not one bit concerned with apportioning blame. Leave finding fault up to the police and judicial services to deal with; they have the facts, knowledge and the expertise to manage this side of every tragedy.

“I am concerned only with reducing the carnage on our roads. Lives are lost and adversely affected every day, by lack of thought and care. It is this message that we want to bring home to all road users. It applies to every one of us, whether we have two, three, four, or more wheels on our vehicle. It’s about the drivers and riders, not the mode of transport. I do care, passionately, about the waste of life and potential, and the grief and pain of those left behind.”

Suffolk police Chief Constable Douglas Paxton, a qualified police motorcyclist, said: “We want motorcyclists to have the opportunity to enjoy their riding without feeling the need to take risks.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: “Sadly the statistics show a high percentage of those killed on our roads are motorcyclists and that is why I have made motorcycle safety a ‘Passmore Priority’ in Suffolk.”