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Category: IAM RoadSmart
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The IAM is calling the government to redesign crash barriers to make them more motorcycle-friendly. While crash barriers have saved the lives of thousands of drivers, hitting a crash barrier is a factor in eight to sixteen per cent of rider deaths.
When they hit a crash barrier, riders are 15 times more likely to be killed than car occupants. In a crash, barrier support posts can worsen injuries by five times.1
Most UK crash barriers are designed to protect car drivers and passengers when a car hits a barrier; it will redirect a car away from a hazard and slow it down over a short distance. The car, seat belts and air bags help to minimise injury. For motorcyclists, hitting a crash barrier can mean serious injury or even death as the rider’s body takes the full impact.
Writing in the summer issue of the IAM members’ magazine Advanced Driving, IAM chairman Alistair Cheyne OBE said: “Roads in general and crash barriers in particular are largely designed with four or more wheels in mind. The needs of more vulnerable motorcyclists must become a priority.
“Britain leads the world on road safety, but lags behind on this issue. Existing standards and guidelines for road infrastructure – and barriers in particular – must be changed so they take proper account of motorcyclists.”
www.iam.org.uk
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The average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is just four years – 62 per cent shorter than for manslaughter, according to road safety charity the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)1.
The average sentence length of manslaughter is 6.6 years. Those sentenced to prison for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving are given an average sentence of 1.3 years. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs has an average sentence of 4.35 years.
Fifty-three per cent of those convicted of causing death or bodily harm through driving offences were sentenced to immediate custody (260 people) in 20112. This has dropped from the 83 per cent sentenced to immediate custody in 2001.
Fines for drink driving are also lower in real terms than they were ten years ago. In 2001 the average fine for drink driving was £203 – the average £240 fine in 2011 was equivalent to just £178 in 2001 prices – a 12.3 per cent decrease3.
The average fine for careless driving is £138, 27 per cent less in real terms than it was in 2001. Dangerous driving is the only area with tougher fines. The average fine is £518 – 30 per cent more in real terms than in 2001.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “We recently discovered that the number of prosecutions for motoring offences have fallen. Now it is clear that drivers are also receiving short sentences for some of the most serious driving offences.
“Magistrates are handing out fines for drink driving that are less than five per cent of the maximum amount possible, giving the message that drink driving only warrants a slap on the wrist. Only sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crime will act as a proper deterrent.”
1. These figures are the result of a freedom of information request made by the IAM to the Ministry of Justice, figures received July 2012.
2. Ministry of Justice, ‘Criminal Justice Statistics 2011’ Motoring tables published July 2012 http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/criminal-justice-statistics
3. As above
4. The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.
www.iam.org.uk
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IAM’s head of riding standards and advanced motorcyclist, Peter Rodger, is advising on sharing the road with horse riders.
• Riders are reluctant to take their horse onto a grass verge because long grass can hide hazards. Give them plenty of room so they don’t need to.
• Horses are unpredictable; don’t risk startling them by rushing up or making sudden noises when passing.
• If the horse reacts to the vehicle ahead, let it settle down before you try to pass.
• If you catch a horse up but have to wait behind, make sure the horse can see you.
• Horse box drivers will avoid stopping to give their passengers a smoother ride, and will leave longer following distances. Be patient and avoid cutting them up.
• Many riders will try to communicate with you, so make eye contact and keep an eye on their body language throughout the manoeuvre.
Rodger said: “At this time of the year, there are higher numbers of vulnerable road users – especially on rural roads – including cyclists and horse riders.
“Bear in mind that around every bend you could come across one of them, and keep your speed down, and scan the road well ahead for signs of their presence.”
www.iam.org.uk
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Half of motorists are unaware that the breathalysers they will soon need to carry in France must be certified to the French NF standard, according to the IAM’s (Institute of Advanced Motorists) latest web poll of 2300 respondents. Compulsory from 1st July, the easiest way to tell if the breathalyser complies with the French legislation is to make sure it has the blue circular NF logo, the French equivalent of the BSI kite mark in the UK.
Other findings show that 82 per cent of people think that the new regulations will have no effect on reducing drink driving, as intended by the French authorities. Only 13 per cent said that the new regulations will reduce people driving over the limit, and 70 per cent said that drivers will only carry them to comply with the law, and will not change their behaviour.
Despite a general scepticism about the impact these new regulations will have, compliance is set to be high. Seventy-five per cent of respondents plan to take the breathalyser kit with them. Only seven per cent said they didn’t plan to. Eighteen per cent didn’t know or hadn’t thought about it.
The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg).
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Agree with the changes or not, from July 1st you will face a fine if you don’t carry an NF approved breathalyser while travelling in France. While these are a good way of being sure you are safe to drive, if you’re going to drink don’t drive, and beware the morning after effect.
“We will be looking forward to seeing the evaluation of what impact this new legislation is having. Support is likely to be higher if people can see that carrying a breathalyser actually reduces drink driving.”
AlcoSense Breathalyser managing director Hunter Abbott said: “There are a lot of products being sold as “French Breathalysers” which will not satisfy the Gendarmerie. If the product you buy has the French NF logo on it you’ll be OK, otherwise the Gendarmerie will not accept it and may treat you the same way as if you do not have one at all. AlcoSense NF Breathalysers (Redline R1) are one of only two single use products on the market which are on the Official Securite Routier approved list. If you purchase a product not on the list or without the NF logo, it puts you at risk of breaking the new law.”
www.iam.org.uk
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And they’re off...
A team of eight motorcyclists from road safety charity, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) will embark on their journey on Monday 18 June to ride around Britain to raise awareness of road safety and money for the Association for Air Ambulances.
The eight riders will set off from the Ace Cafe London this morning, and will head to the IAM offices at Chiswick with IAM chief executive Simon Best, before travelling south west on the first leg of their tour, to Christchurch.
Over the week long tour, they will be visiting Christchurch, Bournemouth, Bassetts Pole, Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast and finishing at Bike Fest in Shrewsbury.
On Friday 22 June, Belfast will see a world record attempt for the most number of makes and models of motorcycles in a single parade. Supporters of this event include the Quay Vipers Motorcycle Club, Adelaide Insurance Services, Days Hotel, Stena Line, Fiat and Bridgestone Tyres.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users, but anyone that rides appreciates the enjoyment, convenience, and freedom that motorcycling brings.
“Our riders will demonstrate this on their ride around the UK, while raising money for the Association of Air Ambulances. Tragically, riding does sometimes go wrong and the quick response service they provide is vital in saving lives.”
Donate to the Association of Air Ambulances.
Find out more about the Around British Isles Bike Ride.
Sign up for the world record attempt.
www.iam.org.uk
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