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Minister backs MP on cycle helmets
During a recent debate on the Road Safety Bill, transport secretary Alistair Darling backed the view of Carlisle MP Eric Martlew that young cyclists should wear helmets.

Mr Martlew has been bidding for several years to get new legislation introduced to make it compulsory for all cyclists under 16 to wear a helmet.

Mr Martlew said: "Later this year the government will introduce new laws on booster seats in the back of vehicles, but why are there no proposals to make it compulsory for children to wear helmets when cycling?"

Mr Darling said there are strongly held views on both sides of the argument. "My preference is that people should wear helmets, the more we do to protect people against injury, the better," he said. "However, there is no provision in the Bill because there is by no means unanimity about what we ought to do."

For the full story go to: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

How Close is Too Close? MAG asks

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has published a study that 'provides solutions for avoidance and evasion strategies for motorcyclists'.

The DfT Casualty Report 2005 confirms that collisions at junctions are a major problem for riders. In 2004, motorcycle accidents at junctions totalled 17,699 - 66% of all motorcycle accidents.

How Close is Too Close? makes recommendations including better road awareness training for car drivers and motorcyclists to reduce the number of deaths to riders caused by cars.

According to MAG, the DSA's hazard awareness test does not specifically require drivers to look for motorcycles at junctions, in spite of the significant proportion of accidents that happen in these circumstances.

MAG argues that until this problem is recognised and addressed by government as a necessary part of driver and rider training, resolution of the SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn't See You) problem lies with the motorcyclist. How Close is Too Close? outlines how this can be done.

For further information contact Trevor Baird on   trevor.baird@mag1.demon.co.uk or click here to download the document in pdf format.

OISH unveils south east seminar
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is holding a seminar about transport issues in the workplace at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley on 8 June.

Driving home the message will aim to highlight what companies in the south east can do to ensure the safety of their staff.

Speakers will cover issues including managing driver safety, transporting waste materials, and how working transport policies are understood and implemented by employees.

The event is supported by Business Link, Brighton & Hove District Council, East and West Sussex County Councils and the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership

For further information or to book contact Claire Palmer on 0116 257 3195, or claire.palmer@iosh.co.uk

Bexley commits to European charter

Bexley Council has pledged its commitment to road safety by signing the European Road Safety Charter - one of the main EC initiatives in its bid to halve the number of road deaths in Europe by 2010.

Cllr Daniel Francis, who signed the Charter for the council, said: "By the end of 2004 we had already reached the government's national casualty reduction target."

'The Journey' comes to Bent Primary

Pupils at Bent Primary School, near Blackwood, recently enjoyed a production of the road safety play The Journey, which is part of the Road Safety Scotland Theatre in Education programme.  

Performed by professional actors, but with healthy audience participation, The Journey highlights a range of safety messages including walking and cycling safely to school, the transition from primary to secondary and peer pressure when crossing the road.

Bike ace widow backs safety drive
The widow of motorsport legend Mike Hailwood helped launch Bikesafe in Warwickshire last week.

Pauline Hailwood attended a memorial service to Mike and their daughter Michelle, who died in a crash in Warwickshire in March 1981.

Following the service, Mrs Hailwood helped police launch Bikesafe, which promotes safer riding through workshops and road tests to increase hazard awareness - and gives bikers a realistic assessment of their skills and training needs.

Mrs Hailwood said: "Mike was actively involved in promoting road safety to motorcyclists when we lived in New Zealand, so I am glad to be supporting Warwickshire Police in this launch."

Mike Hailwood won 10 motorcycle world championships and also raced Formula One cars in the early 1970s.

More details about Bikesafe can be found at: www.Bikesafe.co.uk

Is Mum a bad driver?
A survey commissioned by toy car maker Hot Wheels, found that 60% of children thought Dad was a better driver than Mum.

However, researchers at the university of Bradford found last year that women had a greater ability to shift attention from one stimulus to another and were capable of becoming safer drivers than men.

DIAmond Advanced Motorists is urging people to further their driving skills and take the Advanced Motorist Assessment. General manager, Eddie Barnaville said: "What better present for your Mum than treating her to a course to make her a safer driver? Champagne and flowers are all very well, but they will not last a lifetime."

For further information contact Vikki Carley on 020 8665 8024, or newsdesk@driving.org.

KSIs cut as borough drops guards
Injuries to pedestrians on Kensington High Street have fallen more than on other London streets since guardrails were controversially removed, according to statistics released by the royal borough council (Surveyor, 23 March).

The evidence, based on two years of 'before and after' monitoring, should encourage transport professionals 'to challenge agreed street design customs and historical practice,' according to Kensington & Chelsea council.

Its figures show that casualties fell from 71 in the period before the street was remodelled to 40 afterwards - a drop of 43.7%.

Examiners join speed fight
Government vehicle examiners are to be given the same powers as the police to issue graduated, fixed-penalty points for speeding (Surveyor, 23 March).

At present, the role of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency examiners is confined to checking the road worthiness of lorries and other vehicles, and ensuring that lorry drivers are not endangering lives by spending too long behind the wheel.

Road safety minister Dr Stephen Ladyman told MPs examining the Road Safety Bill: "We have to get really tough with the hard core. Bad offenders need to feel the fingers on their collar."

Group hails fewer road injuries
60 people escaped serious injury or death on roads in Warwickshire where speed cameras are sited last year, the county's casualty reduction group says.

Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership said road casualties were the lowest at its sites since safety cameras were introduced in the 1990s.

For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england

Pensioner arrested for having sex while driving
A newly wed pensioner has been arrested for having sex with his bride while driving away from their wedding reception.

Traffic cops in Bergamo in northern Italy pulled the Fiat Punto over after watching it veer from side to side down a busy road.

Inside they found a partially naked 70-year-old man behind the wheel and his 59-year-old bride sitting astride him.

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