Norway Adopts Motorcycle Safety Markings Inspired by Scotland's PRIME Scheme

Motorcycle safety is a top priority for riders and road authorities alike. In a bid to reduce accidents and improve rider behavior, Norway is adopting a new approach to road markings, inspired by the successful PRIME scheme in Scotland. The idea is simple: by positioning markings on or before a bend, riders are encouraged to adopt safer lines through corners, reducing the risk of accidents.

## How it Works The basic principle behind the markings is that riders naturally avoid riding over painted areas, creating a kind of visual funnel that guides them towards a safer road position. This approach is designed to influence rider speed, braking point, and road position before bends, rather than relying solely on warning signs. By providing riders with useful information at the point in a corner where they need it, the markings can help to reduce the risk of accidents.

## International Examples Scotland's PRIME scheme has been in operation for some time, and has already shown significant improvements in rider behavior, including reduced speeds and better road positioning. The scheme has since been extended to Wales, where PRIME markings have been installed at several locations on key routes. Austria has also adopted a similar approach, using white elliptical markings on the road itself, particularly aimed at blind left-hand bends. According to the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA), Austrian research found that the markings changed riders' trajectories towards a safer position, resulting in an 80 per cent reduction in motorcycle injuries at 19 bends in Tyrol.

## Key Findings A 2026 study of the Scottish PRIME system looked at thousands of motorcycle movements across six trial sites, and found reductions in speed at five sites, alongside improvements in road position at several points through the bends. The behavioral changes were still evident four weeks after the markings were installed, suggesting that the behavior had been ingrained. The findings are summarized in the following table: The study's findings provide further evidence of the effectiveness of motorcycle-specific road markings in improving rider safety.

## Conclusion The adoption of motorcycle safety markings in Norway is a positive step towards reducing accidents and improving rider behavior. By providing riders with useful information at the point in a corner where they need it, the markings can help to reduce the risk of accidents. While the markings are not intended to replace rider training, sensible speeds, or good judgement, they can be a useful tool in promoting safer riding practices.