Category: Safety & Compensation

1. Motorcyclists will face stiffer penalties

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 14th Dec 2009

   Motorcyclists at the head of a group of riders will face stiffer penalties for speeding under a crown court ruling.

   Being the lead rider in a group is an aggravating factor making you partly responsible for speeding offences of those behind you according to the decision.

   The ruling can be applied in any future cases where two or more motorcyclists riding together are accused of speeding. The head rider might be only a few mph over the limit, but could be given the same penalty as the worst offender behind.

   Road traffic solicitor Robert Dobson said: "Any crown court decision can be stated in future cases. This is potentially a very dangerous judgement for motorcyclists. Riders in a group change position frequently. If you are riding at the front any group at excess speed, then the very fact you're at the front is an aggravating factor."

   Ken Clark, 49, reached 85mph on his Yamaha R1 while leading a group of three riders on the 60mph A272 near Rogate, Sussex, last June. The speed is within the usual threshold for a fixed penalty of three points and a £60 fine. But Chichester Crown Court ruled he should receive the same penalty as a following rider accused of going 103mph.

   Barrister notes on the ruling given to Clark after the hearing state: `Although his was the lesser speed, [the bench] found it an aggravating feature that he was the lead motorcyclist, was setting the pace and he knew that the other two motorcyclists would want to catch him up and would be speeding to do so.'

2. RIDERS LESS LIKELY TO RISK DRINKING AND RIDING

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 23rd Nov 2009

   While one in six deaths on our roads are caused by drivers over the legal alcohol limit, motorcyclists are half as likely as other motorists to take the risk of drinking before riding, according to the MCI, marking the start of Road Safety Week 2009 (1).

   The latest analysis of drink-drive statistics show that in 2008, of the motorcycle riders tested following an accident, 1.4 per cent failed a breathalyser test compared to an average of 2.7 per cent for all road user casualties as a whole (2).

   The MCI is supporting Road Safety Week 2009's call to all road users to commit to not drink even a drop of alcohol before driving, nor consume any other illegal drug, to help reduce the number of accidents and casualties on British roads.

   For road users as a whole, the group most likely to drink and drive were those under 17, with 11.8 per cent of young people in this age band failing the test. Only 1.2 per cent of these positive tests were given by young motorcyclists.

   Motorcyclists aged between 20 and 24 were most likely to fail a breath test, with 2.4 per cent of tests taken by riders in this age band positive for alcohol. However, this figure is still less than half that of the average for all road users between 20 and 24, of whom 5 per cent gave a breath test positive for alcohol.

   In 2007, at least 15,935 people in the UK were killed or hurt by drink and drug-drivers. That's: 1,328 people every month, 306 people every week, 44 people every day, 2 people every hour.

   In 2007, 478 people were killed by drivers over the drink-drive limit in the UK. Women are much less likely than men to cause drink drive crashes. However, nearly a third of the casualties in drink drive crashes are women; often passengers in cars driven by young men.Nearly one in six convicted drink-drivers are caught the morning after.

   The MCI advises:

   * Never drink any amount of alcohol if you're riding. You don't have to be over the limit for your skills to be impaired.

   * Never drink late at night if you're riding early the next morning. If you get caught out later than you thought, take the bus or go pillion next morning.

   * Don't let mates drink and ride.

   * Don't hassle anyone into accepting a drink they don't want.

   Sheila Rainger, MCI Director of Communications, said, "The demands of riding a motorcycle are greater than those of driving a car and it is good to see the majority of motorcyclists recognizing this fact by refusing to mix drinking and riding.

   "However, there is no room for complacency. As vulnerable road users, motorcyclists need to stay sharp. The MCI is backing the Road Safety Week 2009 call to all riders to commit to 'not a drop, not a drag' before starting the engine, and as Christmas party season approaches, urging riders to be aware that alcohol can stay in your system well into the morning after."
   1) www.roadsafetyweek.org
   2) DfT; Compendium of Motorcycling Statistics 2009
   3) Other statistics supplied by Brake

3. Parents encouraged to take control of young moped and motorcycle riders

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 1st Oct 2009

   Many young students will return to their studies this year on mopeds and motorcycles and parents in Warwickshire are being urged to send them on a free, dedicated training course to help them stay safe on the roads. 

   Research has shown that 16 to 19 year old motorcyclists are the most vulnerable road users and many still feel nervous and cautious when they first travel on two wheels; even though this heralds an exciting, new-found freedom.

   Warwickshire Road Safety Officer, Stephen Rumble explains;

   “A moped or motorcycle is a great way to get around because you no longer have to rely on parents for lifts or be constrained by public transport times. However, our behavioural studies suggest that many inexperienced riders quickly change from feeling nervous, cautious and vulnerable to being confident, cocky and believing themselves to be invincible. The casualty statistics for this age group would frighten any parent, but we are not trying to discourage the use of mopeds and motorcycles. The Take Control training course is designed to help young riders develop new skills, temper any over-enthusiasm and improve their road safety awareness“.

   A number of prominent local motorcycle dealerships are supporting and promoting the Take Control courses and the free half-day rider training would be an ideal follow up to CBT. The advanced instructors are available seven days a week and will usually take one or two motorcyclists per session, starting at a convenient location to suit everyone.                                                                                                    

   For more information, go to www.takecontroltraining.co.uk

   For bookings, call 90-ONE Rider Education on (0845) 370 91 91.

4. Institute of Advanced Motorists to offer Lancashire motorcyclists a new training day

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 14th May 2009

   Britain’s leading road safety charity, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists), is set to offer Lancashire motorcyclists a short series of new Rider Assessment Days, with the support of RideSafe BackSafe.

   The day-long courses will include both theory sessions and practical on-road assessments with fully qualified IAM Instructors, before finishing with constructive feedback and open discussions about road safety and issues of greatest concern to motorcyclists. RideSafe BackSafe Project Lead, Shelby Williams explains:

   “RideSafe BackSafe is constantly promoting the benefits of rider skills training and we are delighted to be working closely with IAM on a project that sits at the heart of our own road safety initiative for bikers. The courses are focussed on the needs of motorcyclists as vulnerable road users and can open the door to more in depth skills training with IAM“.

   The courses will all be held at Lancashire Police headquarters at Hutton, near Preston, on Saturday 23rd May, Saturday 13th June and Saturday 18th July. Each day will start at 9.30am with light refreshments and an introduction to the day’s timetable of activities and the final sessions should finish at around 3.30pm.

   The cost is just £20 per person for one day. Any motorcyclist who wishes to attend should register in advance by eMailing their full name, address and day time telephone number to Shelby Williams at [email protected] with ‘IAM Rider Assessment Days’ in the subject box.
   
   Visit www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk for more information about this training course and other options for motorcyclists in the North West and Greater Manchester regions.

5. Saving money, but at what cost?

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 26th Feb 2009

   RideSafe BackSafe is urging all recent converts to two wheels to take skills training as soon as they buy a motorcycle or scooter. The biker-dedicated road safety initiative is concerned that many road users are now turning to a cheaper mode of transport to beat the credit crunch and assuming that there driving skills are adequate.

   Shelby Williams, RideSafe BackSafe Project Lead explains;-

   “Motorcycle dealerships across the North West region are telling us that sales of scooters and smaller capacity motorcycles are surprisingly buoyant at the moment and this probably reflects the desire for many road users to find a cheaper way to travel. Generally speaking, the overall cost of a new machine, insurance and servicing is considerably less than for a car and commuters in particular, have realised this. However, when dealers recommend that customers book a skills training course or rider assessment scheme the take up is poor".

   Motorcycles and scooters make up about 1% of road traffic and yet nearly 20% of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads are bike riders. Although they are not always to blame, motorcyclists will usually come off worst in a collision and RideSafe BackSafe are keen to promote the many training and free assessment schemes currently available.

   The dedicated website www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk  - offers a wealth of road safety advice and information about training options. Other organisations such as RoSPA, the Driving Standards Agency, Institute of Advanced Motoring and BSM also offer a variety of assessments and training courses to suit every rider’s needs.     

   Shelby Williams continues;-

   "Every road user should be concentrating, anticipating and observing all potential hazards around them, but on two wheels, there are many more skills required. Correct gear selection, ensuring others can see you by how you position yourself on the road and independent use of front and rear brakes are just three of the many skills that need to be learnt. Training, under the guidance of a qualified instructor, is the best route to becoming more competent and safer on the roads and reduced insurance premiums can be an added benefit".