IAM RoadSmart has launched a new manifesto calling on road safety professionals to ‘work together to reduce the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on the UK’s roads’.
Launched today (30 May), one of the headlines of the 12 point manifesto is a call for legislators, car makers and smartphone companies to work with road users on practical solutions to address driver distraction, especially smartphone usage.
New drivers are included in the manifesto, with IAM RoadSmart calling for further changes to post-driving test driving rules and a 12 month minimum learning period for new drivers.
The manifesto also highlights the importance of road safety at work, which IAM RoadSmart describes as a ‘critical health and safety issue that requires higher priority’ which should be at ‘the core of good corporate governance for every employer’.
IAM RoadSmart says making informed procurement choices is vital, and the manifesto urges Defra to implement cross-government procurement rules which accelerates the uptake of safe new vehicles with features such as autonomous braking.
On drink driving, the charity calls for a reduction in the limit in England and Wales, matching that already in place for Scotland.
Areas including infrastructure, motorcycling and fitness to drive are also covered in the manifesto.
Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart’s chief executive officer, said: “The UK has one of the best road safety records in Europe, but still 1,730 people a year are killed.
“We believe by working together with government and the road safety ‘industry’ we can deliver a step change in road safety and significantly reduce the fatalities and injuries which occur daily on our roads.”
Self Driving cars are about the silliest thing I have ever heard about. We do not have self driving trains and they run on rails with a choice of forwards or backwards. Along with HS2, any investment in this field is a monumental waste of money and a total disgrace.
I am also opposed to an arbitrary period of training. Some people can pick up driving to a very high standard fairly quickly while others will never be safe for as long as they have a pulse.
What we need is properly trained instructors and a proper training syllabus that covers rural lanes, fast A roads, motorway/70 mph dual carriageway and night drives followed by the DVSA test.
We also need pupils to go through a proper theoretical education at evening classes at the local college prior to getting a provisional.
We further need testing at photocard or licence renewal to significantly increase driving skills among ‘experienced’ drivers. Finally, we need covert camera to deal with killers such as speed and tailgating. Mild offenders would only attract fines, starting very low but ramping up quite quickly. Serious offenders would end up in court with the real possibility of a ban, probably 14 days to start with but rapidly ramping up.
Personally, I do no care if motorcyclists kill themselves through sheer stupidity. I ride my bike, which is a fast sports bike, by the book and so far, so good. No, I am much more concerned with the others who get caught in the fall out through no fault of their own.
I would also like to see mandatory prison for disqualified drivers – what is left on the existing ban plus any further ban.
We might make a bit of progress then, but a talking shop seldom delivers much.
Kevan Chippindall-Higgin
0
I know where you are coming from Pat but for the majority of other motorcycle riders on urban roads they dont give a fig for anything to do with road safety and thoughts of not getting home again never occurs to them. They ride too fast as seen by accident stats on Welsh bends. They ride to fast as seen on overtakes on bends with white lines. They ride too fast for overtakes in general and ride mile after mile too close to other vehicles, so much so as one would think they are being towed. They overtake after bends when the power of a bike is far greater than that of a car but puts them too close (tailgating) to the vehicle to be overtaken whilst on that bend. They do many stupid things with little regard to their safety or the safety of others. They are out for a blast and a good ride out. That’s where they are coming from.
s worthington manchester
0
Motorcyclists are the highest risk group on the road but motorcycles and scooters also provide efficient and affordable personal transport for many people and are an essential part of the UK transport scene.
Road safety statistics in Wales indicate that I am between 50 and 80 times more at risk if I ride my motor bike than if i drive my car (depends on the year you choose to do the calculations and your age). So, although the RELATIVE RISK is much greater, does that actually make riding a PTW “unsafe” ? I think not.
I don’t expect to have a collision when I get on my bike to take a ride. My expectation is to arrive safe. If I didn’t think that, I wouldn’t be riding. So far, so good.
Pat, Wales
0
In the 1970’s the government of the day made it increasingly difficult for charitable organisations to teach or instruct or advise on matters relating to motorcycle road safety hence the demise of the then RAC/ACU training scheme. It preferred paid professional instructors rather than lay persons with good altruistic motives.
It seems like the full circle is beginning with the IAM in the driving seat. I believe in this present financial climate with the lack of governmental and local authority manpower that we need the joint expertise and efforts of all organisations working towards a common good. If paid professionals can’t do it then why not let others who have the means and the apparent expertise. Let’s get all like minded persons and organisations around the great table and throw around some positive ideas that are likely to come to fruition.
Bob Craven Lancs
0
Just one issue with the manifesto the following: “IAM RoadSmart will promote motorcycling as a safe mode of transport that can help solve congestion and pollution problems”.
Surely by definition SAFE infers free from exposure to the danger of risk and injury.
Motorcycling as we all know carries much greater risk for the user than other forms of transport. I find it hard to see how the IAM can promote motorcycling as a safe form of transport (or is it their desire to see it as a safer mode of transport).
Keith
0