THE mother of a teenager killed after being knocked off his motorbike by a car has given her support to a new police campaign just launched.

The campaign is urging drivers to take longer to be more aware of bikes, after 30 motorcyclists were killed in Medway last year.

Howie Barnes, of Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, was killed in March 2003, when the driver of a car failed to see him and pulled out in front of him in Rainham. He was just 19 years old.

Daemon Diss was found guilty of careless driving, fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 12 months.

Howie’s mother, Sally Sandwell, 47, also of Shakespeare Road, said: “Howie was killed nearly three years ago but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him.

“On the day of his crash, I told him to be careful when riding his motorbike, not because of his driving but because of other drivers.

“My partner rides a motorbike and I say the same thing to him every time he leaves to go on his bike.

“It’s all the other drivers you need to be careful of – sometimes they just don’t see motorcyclists.

“It is so important that drivers take just a few more seconds to look out for motorcyclists. Doing this would save lives.”

The campaign has been launched by the Department of Transport because about 1,500 motorcylists are killed or seriously injured each year, when drivers look but fail to see them.

Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman said: “A quick glance is not long enough to check if a motorcycle is approaching.

“Drivers need to take an extra second or two to look out for bikers. It really can be a life-saver.

“I enjoy biking but I worry about not being seen. At the same time bikers have a responsibility to look after themselves and to make themselves as visible as possible to other drivers.”