Category: Safety & Compensation

1. Introducing the Meta Alarm System

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 14th Feb 2012

   The M357TV2 Category 1 Alarm Immobiliser is a highly acclaimed, full specification alarm. It received a score of 99% in a review carried out by Motorcycle News and was awarded RiDE magazine's 'Best Buy'.

   The features include:

   • Anti scan, anti-grab rolling code operation
   • Resin bonded construction
   • Integral Microchip movement sensor
   • Water and vibration resistant
   • Failsafe twin circuit immobilisation
   • Sleep mode (zero battery drain)
   • Audible and visual arming signals
   • Passive arming - auto re-arm
   • Secure override facility
   • Low battery warning
   • Ignition key conversion
   • Diagnostic LED
   • Accessory protection feature
   • Hotwire sensing
   • Covert black wiring
   • Battery backup siren

   The alarm can be purchased and fitted for only £199 by BLD, located in Brighouse, Bournemouth and Southampton, with state-of-the-art facilities, insurance approved and provide an efficienct and exceptional service.

2. First Aid for Riders Launched

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 3rd Feb 2012

   First Aid for Riders has officially launched its website www.firstaidforriders.org and the first of the tailored First Aid courses, which are delivered by the St John Ambulance for riders whether on two wheels – motorcycles and scooters or three wheels – trikes.
    
   First Aid for Riders has now become a reality with the involvement of the St John Ambulance and the award of a DOE Road Safety Grant, through the Community Transport Association (CTA) to bring the initiative to the motorcycling community across Northern Ireland.
    
   Bryan Myles, the manager responsible for the funding at CTA said, “We are delighted to be awarding the grants on behalf of the Department of the Environment to help organisations make their local roads safer for everyone. We know that the voluntary sector plays a significant role in reaching some of the most vulnerable people in society and we hope that this funding can further inspire creative people to do even more to improve the safety on our roads”.
    
   The St John Ambulance, “Is pleased to be associated with the First Aid for Riders scheme in Northern Ireland. Despite the great moves forward in road safety over the years, collisions do still occur and it is important that first aid care is provided promptly when injuries happen.
    
   The course that we are running in association with the First Aid for Riders Scheme will give delegates the skill and confidence required to be able to care for a casualty until the arrival of the emergency medical services.”
    
   The First Aid for Riders course content will consist of:
    
   Bleeding;
   Bone, muscle and joint injuries;
   Casualty movement;
   Communication and casualty care;
   Emergencies in public;
   Head injury;
   Primary survey;
   Resuscitation (adult);
   Removal of a crash helmet;
   Shock;
   Unconscious casualty.
    
   The course takes place over six hours, after which successful delegates receive a St John Ambulance (NI) certificate that is valid for three years.
    
   Rendering First Aid to a motorcyclist involves many additional considerations that may not be “instructed” in basic first aid courses, for example a motorcyclist may be wearing heavy leathers, armour and should be wearing a helmet means that delivering essential lifesaving first aid to bikers can be more life critical. Thus to give course attendees a flavour of rendering First Aid as a rider out on the road delegates are asked to attend with their normal motorcycle riding gear.
    
   Trevor Baird, the initiatives coordinator says, “The goal of First Aid for Riders is to reduce death and serious injuries of motorcyclists and other road users by disseminating first aid knowledge in the motorcycle community.
    
   I hope riders never have to use what they have learned on the course, but by attending one of these courses riders could be making the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”
    
   www.firstaidforriders.org

3. Designated drivers rewarded this Christmas

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 7th Dec 2011

   Designated drivers will be rewarded in more than 8,000 pubs and student union bars across the country as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

   This year's THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign will include radio advertising, posters in pub washrooms, online search activity and targeted Facebook advertising to remind drivers of the personal consequences of a drink drive conviction. THINK! have also teamed up with Coca-Cola's Designated Driver campaign to offer drivers across the country free soft drinks at venues this Christmas as part of the Driver Friendly campaign.

   Drivers will be able to find participating venues using the Coca-Cola 'Pub Finder' tool, either online or via their smart phones.

   THINK! campaign activity will be aimed at young men aged 17 - 29, who are consistently over-represented in drink drive casualty figures.

   Mike Penning said: "The number of drink drive deaths has fallen by more than 75% since 1979, but drink driving is still devastating lives with around 250 people killed in collisions where a driver was over the limit last year.

   "Our THINK! campaign makes it clear that drivers who get behind the wheel over the limit risk losing their licence as well as facing a fine and even a prison sentence. We are also teaming up with Coca-Cola and pub chains across the country to reward designated drivers as part of our Drive Friendly initiative, as well as reminding people of the consequences of getting a drink drive conviction. No one wants to spend their Christmas in a police cell. My message is clear: don't drink and drive."

   Jon Woods, General Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland said: "The holiday period is coming around quickly and everyone is beginning to make their plans. With the majority of adults preparing to visit a pub or bar over the festive period we are proud to be partnering the Government's THINK! Initiative to reward responsible drivers. Designated Drivers provide a fantastic service by helping their friends and family get home safely at the end of a night out. That's why we think it is so important to recognise and reward them. To do this we will be offering a free Coke or Diet Coke to drivers, ensuring they have a good night too and to encourage others to do the right thing."

   The THINK! drink drive campaign runs from 1st December 2011 to 1st January 2012. For more information and the facts, visit: www.think.direct.gov.uk/drink-driving.html

   Designated drivers should ask at the bar about how to take advantage of the buy one, get one free offer on Coca-Cola or Diet Coke at participating venues from 9th December 2011.

4. Online Motorcycle Road Safety Survey from Motorcycle Law Scotland

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 28th Oct 2011

   Motorcycle Law Scotland is a specialist company who look after bikers that have been involved in a non fault accident in Scotland. Brenda is the lawyer (and fellow motorcyclist), NOT a claim handler and deals with your claim personally.

   They have asked if Scottish motorcyclists can complete a survey for them. If you do, you get entered into a free draw to win £100 voucher for biking accessories.

   www.motorcyclecompensation.co.uk/surveys.aspx

5. IAM says work your ABS

   Posted on 10:58am Thursday 22nd Sep 2011

   The IAM is supporting calls to make anti-lock braking systems (ABS) compulsory on all new large motorcycles by 2015.  

   MEPs will shortly debate proposals that would force manufacturers to introduce ABS as standard on all new motorcycles over 125cc. The proposals set a deadline of 2017 for this, although the IAM and the FIA would like to see this brought forward by two years so that the safety benefits can be seen as soon as possible.  

   In 2010, the number of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents in the UK came to 403* – 21 per cent of all road deaths. Yet motorcyclists make up just four per cent of road users. The risk of being killed or injured is 50 times greater for motorcyclists than for car drivers, over the same distance.  

   Based on recent research by the FIA and from experience in Italy, where nearly a quarter of all new large bikes already have ABS, the IAM estimates that compulsory introduction would save 1500 lives a year across Europe. In the UK three quarters of all bikers killed are riding the biggest bikes so this technology has huge potential to save lives here. The IAM’s report Licensed to Skill also shows that 'sudden braking' and 'slippery road' are in the top 10 causation factors for motorcycle casualties.  

   IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “ABS is available now on many new bikes and the evidence is clear from across Europe that it is delivering fewer deaths. Carefully crafted legislation making ABS mandatory for all large road motorcycles would make motorcyclists safer, although we do still have concerns about the long term reliability of some ABS systems. On motorcycles ABS is still prone to faults because it is more open to the elements and repairs can be very expensive. Compulsory fitment will bring down unit costs and allow all riders to enjoy the safety benefits.”  

   www.iam.org.uk