OTHER NEWS IN BRIEF - W/C 2 AUGUST 2004

Max Power launches ‘max up’ for young drivers
A scheme to encourage young and enthusiastic drivers to max up their driving has been launched (RoadSafe news, July 2004).

Max Driver is an attempt to get young car drivers - particularly but not exclusively young males, who feature disproportionately in crash statistics - to improve their road awareness, safety and car control skills.

The nationwide scheme is a partnership between the IAM and EMAP, publishers of lads mag Max Power.

For further information about the campaign go to, http://www.max-driver.com.

Camera detectors to be banned
Devices that detect or jam speed cameras are to be banned because of concerns that drivers are exploiting them to drive over the speed limit without fear of being caught (RoadSafe news, July 2004). More than 100,000 drivers have installed these devices and dozens of companies supply them – and the market is growing rapidly.

The Government plans to include the ban in a forthcoming road safety Bill. The penalty for carrying a device in a vehicle has yet to be determined but the maximum fine is likely to be £1,000 and drivers will also have up to six points added to their licence.

The ban would bring Britain into line with several other European countries where camera detectors have been outlawed including France, Belgium, Greece, Austria, Turkey, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Ireland and Norway.

LARSOA seeks to create PTW reference facility
LARSOA’s advisers for powered two wheelers (PTWs) are embarking on a project to create a reference area for information on this subject. When complete, the reference area may be located on the LARSOA website.

"Gareth Tuffery, Marilyn Cranfield and myself are often asked for information about PTW campaigns being run by local authorities and police forces, and for information about research that has been undertaken," says Graham Riley.

"We are as interested in things that haven't worked, as we are in things that have," he adds. "Initiatives currently in progress or under development - but not yet producing results - give a snapshot of the way in which casualty reduction schemes for motorcycling are developing."

Road safety professionals are being asked to respond to the following questions:

What campaigns or activities are you currently involved with, or have you been involved with in the recent past - either organised by yourselves, or as part of a regional group, in partnership with your local police force, or wholly run by your local police force?

(The project team is not just looking for large campaigns or what might be considered best practice - rather it is trying to get a clear view of what is underway, what is possible, and what does and doesn't have an effect.)

Have you undertaken any local research or studies that would assist colleagues in the design of PTW campaigns?

(This could involve studies into rider attitudes and profiles, as well as studies into crash causation.)

What research would you like to see undertaken, and do you have outlines for research awaiting funding?

(DfT is open to research suggestions.)

What kind of engineering measures have been, or are being, tried - either relating to specific sites or along a particular length of road?

"We hope that by collecting this information we will be better able to represent the needs and abilities of road safety professionals, especially within the number of national committees and activities with which we are currently involved," Graham Riley adds.

If you are able to help with information, please respond to:
graham.riley@leeds.gov.uk or marilyncranfield@streetmanagement.org.uk.