Killer drivers may still escape jail
Drivers who kill may still escape prison under proposed guidelines for the new offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, according to a report in The Guardian last week.

The sentencing advisory panel is recommending a starting point of a weighty community service sentence for the least serious of such offences. For the most serious, the starting point would be 36 months in prison. Aggravating factors such as speeding, driving aggressively or using a mobile phone would push the levels up from there.

The panel produced sentencing guidelines yesterday for two new offences: causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, which will carry a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, and causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured, for which the maximum sentence will be two years in prison.

These offences, created by the Road Safety Act 2006 and due to be brought into force this year, were a response to public concern that drivers who caused deaths but were convicted only of careless driving were being too lightly punished.

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MP's Bill supported by safety organisations
In the lead up to Tim Yeo's 'lighter evenings' Private Members Bill going before the House of Commons last Friday, three safety organisations encouraged MPs and constituents to support the Bill.

RoSPA says the Bill could save 450 deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads each year. The Association also believes there are sound business, health and environmental reasons for supporting the Bill.

For the Bill to have any chance of becoming law, there had to be at least 100 MPs present when the Bill went before the house - but LARSOA is concerned that many MPs return to their constituencies on Friday. The Association encouraged constituents to persuade their MP to stay in Parliament and vote.

Road safety organisation Safety House is also backing the Bill. Eddie Barnaville Chief Executive, said: "We know that each year when the clocks go back there is an increase in road fatalities and injuries. If the Government does not support this Bill, it is supporting the wilful killing of more than one road user per day."

Click here to read LARSOA's full press release.

Road tax evasion on the increase
New DfT figures show that an estimated 2,193,000 drivers failed to pay vehicle excise duty in 2006 - up from 1,549,000 in 2005.

There is evidence that vehicles without road tax are more likely to be involved in other crimes, and to be driven without MOT and insurance - thus posing an increased road safety risk.

Non payment rates are highest for motorcycles and 'other' vehicles - and evasion among cars and vans that are more than 10 years old is five times higher than it is among newer vehicles.

The statistics, which are based on checks conducted at sites across the United Kingdom, show that he largest increase in non-payment was in the north west.

The data was collected before new measures to tackle the problem were introduced by the DVLA in June 2006. The measures included debt collectors to target owners who ignore penalty notices, and doubling wheel clamping operations.

Correction/apology
In last week's issue of Road Safety News (22 Jan) we carried an article entitled 'Ministerial endorsement for young driver scheme'.

The article referred to a foreword written by the minister of state, Dr Stephen Ladyman, for the website of the Young Marmalade car purchase and insurance scheme.

Tim Norman, Road User Safety Division, DfT, has asked us to correct our use of the word 'endorsement' as follows:

"This is explicitly not the case. Dr Ladyman's quote was carefully worded to apply generally and does not endorse in any way the Young Marmalade scheme. The Department does not endorse or promote commercial organisations, products or schemes."

Our apologies for any embarrassment our interpretation of the Young Marmalade press release has caused. The press release referred to the Young Marmalade scheme receiving a 'boost' by Dr Ladyman's foreword.

Westminster has rogue drivers in its sights
Westminster City Council is using two hi-tech Smart cars to help monitor road safety problem areas (Surveyor 18 January).

After a trial run last year showed a marked improvement in traffic flow, due to changes in drivers' actions, the authority has decided to make the scheme permanent.

The Smart cars are being used to enforce moving traffic contraventions through CCTV installed on a periscope emerging from the cars' roofs.

Initially, the cars will only enforce single yellow line contraventions, but Westminster plans to expand their remit to include banned turns, traffic direction signs and other violations.

Road campaigner crashes on new road
A man who led a 30-year campaign for a new bypass has become the first person to crash on it.

Jim Burley fought for the bypass in Pegswood, Northumberland, to reduce heavy traffic through the village.

Parish council chairman Jim, 70, and his wife Eunice, 69, were not seriously hurt when their Vauxhall van was in a collision with another van. The accident was on a section of the bypass that is open to traffic while work continues to complete the remaining stretch.

Jim told the Sun: "I can certainly see the irony in being involved in the first accident on a bypass for which I have been campaigning for 20 to 30 years. Other parish councillors have been ringing to say they can't believe it was me involved in the accident when I have been making a song and dance about the bypass for years."

For the full story go to: http://www.ananova.com

Man pulls car with ears

A Chinese man has pulled a car for more than 200 metres - with his ears, while riding a motorbike.

Wang Lianhai, 36, from Qiqihaer city, demonstrated the stunt in a street in Beijing. With his ears attached to metal clamps, in turn connected to steel wires, he pulled the 1.2 tonne car with a driver sitting inside.

After several failed attempts, Wang reportedly gave a loud cry and drove the motorbike slowly forward, stopping only at the end of the street.

"Although by foot it's more safe, I prefer to pull the car using a motorbike, which requires more skill," he said.

Wang said he had been working on the stunt since childhood when he had been 'very naughty and eager to try new things'.

His next ambition is to pull a ship, reports the Beijing Evening News. Road Safety News will endeavour to keep readers abreast of Wang's progress.

For the full story go to: http://www.ananova.com