Pilot scheme aims to improve biker safety
Fife Police are launching a pilot scheme to improve biker safety.

The 'Fife Bike Challenge' is similar to the Pass Plus scheme, which gives new drivers the opportunity to enhance their confidence, knowledge and skills on the road. However, unlike Pass Plus - which is spread over six sessions - the bike training is covered in one day.

Jane Greer, Fife road safety manager, said: "We are looking for 100 bikers of any age and experience, who reside in Fife, to take part in a pilot programme over the next 12 months."

For further information contact Fife road safety unit on 01592 418511, or road.safety@fife.pnn.police.uk

Teen safety programme revamped
Firefighters in Cumbria are revamping their road safety training for secondary school pupils in preparation for the new academic year.

The programme includes a DVD film featuring vivid images of road crashes, which will be screened in secondary schools across Cumbria alongside road safety training given by firefighters.

Crash victim David Tattersall talks to pupils about a horrific crash he survived in 2002. He tells how he had to be revived several times by the emergency services as they cut him from the wreckage, and then spent 11 months in hospital. Since the accident he can only speak by using a voice buzz box held against his larynx.

Assistant chief officer Paul Hancock, of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The DVD has been cleverly put together. We'll be targeting every secondary school in Cumbria and we see year 10 and 11 pupils - the years just before they become eligible to drive."

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

Examiners stage strike day
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has warned that some practical tests booked for 4 September may not go ahead because of strike action by examiners.

But the Agency has appealed to all candidates expecting a test to attend at the given time. If they fail to turn up they will not be able to claim compensation if their tests are cancelled.

Examiners belonging to the Public and Commercial Services union are planning this second one-day strike, and have been working to rule since the first strike on 17 July.

DSA's chief executive, Rosemary Thew, said: "We do not know how many examiners will be turning up for work - not all of them are in the union. About two thirds of tests booked went ahead during the last day of action, so candidates should not assume their tests will be lost.

"The origins of the dispute lie in our plans for re-organising the Agency to make best use of public money and to improve road safety. We have always said that we want to work with PCS in taking this exciting agenda forward and we are disappointed with the announcement of a further day's strike."

For further information contact DSA's press office on 0115 901 2851/2.

Blackburn to host pedestrian training seminar
Blackburn with Darwen road safety team is to run a half-day seminar outlining its holistic approach to pedestrian training.

Issues highlighted will include effective complimentary resources, involving colleges and businesses, and the setting up of its 'mosque marshalling scheme'.

The seminar follows Blackburn with Darwen's National Transport Award for Road Safety, since when the road safety team says it has received numerous requests for information regarding its pedestrian training scheme.  

The seminar will be held on 28 September at Eanam Business Development Centre, Blackburn.

For further information or to register contact Graham Campbell on 01254 273484 , or graham.campbell@capita.co.uk

Fleet safety conference unveiled

The 2006 Fleet Safety Forum Annual Conference will take place on 30 November at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.

Topics covered will include: government policy - latest developments; recording, analysing and benchmarking - using crash data effectively; assessment, education and training - getting the best from your drivers; safe vehicle maintenance - pioneering methods; developing a safety culture - throughout the business and beyond; disaster management- if the worst happens.

The cost is £145 + VAT for Fleet Safety Forum subscribers, and £265 + VAT for non-subscribers.

To register contact the Fleet Safety Forum on 01484 559909, or fleetsafetyforum@brake.org.uk

Discharge for 159mph Pc
A policeman who drove at 159mph on a motorway has been found guilty of dangerous driving and given an absolute discharge.

Cameras on board Pc Mark Milton's unmarked car clocked him driving at high speeds on the M54 in Shropshire.

He was originally cleared of the same charge but the High Court overturned his acquittal and ordered a retrial. But the judge at Ludlow Magistrates' Court gave Pc Milton an absolute discharge.

District Judge Peter Wallis said the 38-year-old from Telford, Shropshire, had 'suffered enough' with two-and-a-half years of court proceedings. The Police Federation said they were 'disappointed' with the verdict and would lodge an appeal.

The road safety charity Brake said it was ' outraged that once again a court has failed to show society that dangerous driving will be punished'.

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

Car insurance set to rise
Norwich Union, the UK's second largest car insurer, has raised its rates by an average of 16%.

The firm said its hand had been forced by a similar rise in claim costs over the past two years, during which time insurance rates had remained static.

Norwich Union said claims for personal injuries were the main reason for the rise, and that insurance for riskier customers, such as young men, will rise by up to 40%.

"I think most insurance companies will follow our lead - we're the largest insurer in the country, and one of the largest motor insurers," said NU's David Ross. "There is an expectation in the sector that motor premiums will need to rise to reflect the increase in claims costs, particularly from the more litigious society that we find ourselves living in."

The Association of British Insurers said costs were rising in several areas, particularly personal injury and uninsured driving.

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

Woman lets dog drive
A Chinese woman has been involved in a car crash - because she let her dog drive.

The accident happened in the city of Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia region. The woman, named only as Li, let the dog steer while she operated the accelerator and the brake.

The experiment resulted almost immediately in a collision with another car.

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