Mixed responses to new dangerous driving penalties, top tips for driving in the rain (and snow!) and are Bobbies electric?
Welcome one and all to this week’s round-up of the very best news in the world of fleet from the last seven days.
The big story of the week has to be the announcement from Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke of new penalties introduced to offer victims of serious injury through reckless or careless drivers a fairer chance of justice.
The new charge of ‘causing serious injury by dangerous driving’ comes with an unlimited fine and a period of up to five years in jail.
"We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes.
"Road Safety Minister Mike Penning added that while the vast majority of motorists were safe and responsible, "the wilfully reckless minority who put lives in danger must face serious penalties," said Mr Clarke.
The response from Brake’s senior campaigns officer, Ellen Book was: “Brake welcomes this new offence, which will help provide justice to families whose lives have been ripped apart by dangerous drivers. This finally means that serious injury is recognised in the name of an offence, and this is vitally important to victims and their families. It also means dangerous drivers who inflict serious injury can expect to see higher sentences that are more in line with the devastation they have caused, which in some cases includes permanently debilitating injuries that leave people with round the clock care needs.
However, Brook continued that Brake felt this new law isn’t strong enough, she explained: “We hope to see courts using the full range of sentences available for this and other serious driving offences, up to the maximum. We also hope that in future the maximum sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving will increase to 14 years, in line with causing death by dangerous driving, so the punishment better reflects the gravitas of the crime and the appalling suffering inflicted on families.”
The response from IAM spokesperson Vince Yearley was succinct: "Dangerous driving can result in anything from near misses to serious injuries. But the maximum jail term for dangerous driving must relate to the driving offence – not the consequences, however awful."
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ (RoSPA), head of road safety Kevin Clinton also welcomed the announcement of the new penalty saying: "Serious injuries often cause life-long disability for the victims of bad drivers and can fundamentally affect their quality of life and that of their families. To ensure this new law works as intended, it will be absolutely crucial to ensure that it is applied consistently in terms of prosecution and sentencing."
ABD Chairman Brian Gregory feels the the new law, however, is flawed: "It is quite sickening to read of so many cases where car thieves and drunks wilfully drive the wrong way up motorways, break through level crossing barriers, deliberately drive at reckless speeds and often even crash yet because, by the skin of their teeth, they don’t actually kill or injure anybody, they get off with minimal sentences. The maximum penalties for wilfully dangerous drivers should be raised regardless of whether they kill or injure, and they should receive long bans. Caution is however needed to ensure that injury causation is not used as a reason to jail those who have simply made a mistake and been unlucky. The government should also increase the level of police patrols, as this is a proven deterrent to those who might be tempted to abuse our roads."
It appears that many believe these new penalties are a move in the right direction, but do not entirely address the issue of dangerous driving, but do you agree? What are your views? We want to hear your opinions.
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Winter’s on the way and with snow forecast in many areas this coming week now is the time to focus on the challenging conditions we’re all about to face on the road, says Interactive Driving Systems.
And here are some top tips:
Before you Drive
- Keeping yourself and your vehicle in good technical repair reduces your risk of mishap or disaster while driving in the challenging conditions winter brings such as falling leaves, snow, ice, wet and cold;
- Simple winter preparations for your vehicle should include a check-up of your electrical system (battery, ignition and lights); brakes; tyres; exhaust; wipers; fluids, radiator/antifreeze and heating/cooling system. Also ensure you keep your fuel tank near to full to ensure that you do not run out;
- Check your tyres are in good order, and have plenty of tread depth as well maintained tyres can have a major effect on stopping distances on wet and slippery roads. Weekly checks, or when refuelling, are recommended;
- Prepare an emergency kit for your car. Include things like warm clothing, boots, gloves or mittens, flashlight with fresh batteries, blankets, and fresh first-aid supplies;
- During bad weather let people know where you are going, your route of travel, and when you expect to arrive. Allow for extra travelling time or even consider delaying a trip if the weather is inclement;
- Listen to weather forecasts, and if weather and visibility are hazardous, ask yourself ‘is this trip really necessary?’
On the Road
- Drive according to current road and weather conditions and remember it pays to be cautious;
- Make sure that all windows (front, side and rear) and mirrors are clear and that wipers and defrosters are in good working condition;
- Drive slowly with low beam headlights on if visibility is poor, test your brakes frequently and never tailgate;
- Driving at reduced speeds, in a lower gear and at a safe distance from the vehicle in front are the best precautionary measures against any misfortune while driving on slippery roads;
- Lengthen your following distance behind the vehicle ahead of you as stopping distances double on slippery roads.
Remember that if the worst happens and you find yourself stranded, don’t panic. Keep yourself warm and safe and if in a work vehicle follow the procedures set out in your drivers handbook, or if in your own vehicle contact the appropriate road side assistance support.
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IAM are this week providing their top tips for driving in heavy rain from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger, who says, "There’s nothing quite like getting to your car in the rain. It’s a haven from the elements. But be cautious, especially after prolonged dry spells – rain on a dry road is dangerously slippery. And think about the people on the pavements – remember it is illegal to splash pedestrians.”
- Set your heater controls before you set off to avoid fiddling with controls when you should be concentrating on the road: rain makes the windows mist up in seconds!
- Slow down. In the rain your stopping distance should be at least doubled. Giving yourself more space helps you to avoid spray, especially when following a large vehicle;
- Keep your eyes on the road ahead and plan your driving so that you can brake, accelerate and steer smoothly as harsh manoeuvres will unbalance the car;
- Using cruise control should be avoided on wet roads as it may cause your vehicle to aquaplane;
- See and be seen. Put your lights on; as a rule of thumb, whenever you need to use your wipers you should also turn your headlights on, and before overtaking put your wipers on their fastest setting;
- Making sure your car is properly maintained will make a difference too. Check your wipers regularly, that your tyres are properly inflated and have enough tread, and that all of your lights work and are clean. By law, you must keep the windscreen washer filled, but remember, to keep your windows clean, you must do the inside as well.
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RoSPA have launched an online poll to stop ‘daylight robbery’ as it continues its campaign to secure an extra hour of evening daylight, which, they say would result in fewer deaths on our roads each year. If successful, the Bill would lead to the Government looking at the benefits of Single/Double Summer Time (GMT+1 in winter / GMT+2 in summer), which in turn could trigger a three-year trial.
The poll has been launched and can be viewed at http://safetygonesane.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/lighting-up-time/ and people can show their agreement of the Bill by clicking the "Support Our Campaign" button at www.rospa.com/about/currentcampaigns/lighter-evenings/.
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Congratulations go to New Duston Garage in Northampton, and West Bromwich-based Ferdotti Motor Services, both family run businesses who have both been honoured in this years Fleet Support Group’s (FSG) Masterserve Network garage awards.
Richard Brown, Managing Director of New Duston Garage, which was named Garage of the Year, a title they previously held in 1997, said: “It is a fantastic achievement and I am extremely proud.”
Tim Ferdotti, Director of Ferdotti Motor Services, which won the Going the Extra Mile award said: “Top quality customer service is something that we have always tried to deliver, but being part of FSG has enhanced that even further. As far as we are concerned nothing is impossible in terms of delivering service to clients.”
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In addition to Ford’s recent study into handheld devices and their increased use in-car, recent research by the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University has found that the reaction time of a driver is doubled when distracted by reading or sending a text.
It says its findings show drivers were less able to safely maintain a constant speed or their positioning in the road , causing swerving and greater speed variance.
Ed Dubens CEO at Interactive Driving Systems said: "Driver distraction has been an emerging issue in US driver safety research and practice over the last few years, this study emphasizes the reasons why organizations requiring their drivers to travel for work purposes should take the issue very seriously as part of their worker health, wellbeing and safety programs."
This worryingly comes at a time when many road safety charities are warning of the increased use of hand held devices in vehicles in the UK and the number of people who admit to texting and emailing whilst at the wheel.
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Peak Performance are offering free places to fleet managers and fleet decision makers for a number of workshops entitled ‘Fuel for Thought’, which will aim to show a range of practical techniques to save businesses a significant amounts of fuel on a daily basis and will take place during next month at:
- Guildford – Tuesday November 8, 14.00 start;
- Birmingham – Thursday November 10, 14.00 start;
- Chesterfield – Tuesday November 15, 14.00 start;
- Places are limited and on a strictly first come, first serve basis so contact Lucy Boler in Customer Services at lucy.boler@peakperformance.net or on 01246 244200 as soon as possible if you are interested.
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And finally…
London’s Metropolitan Police force are taking part in a trial of the Zero DS (Dual Sport) electric motorcycle as part of their ‘BikeSafe’ and ‘ScooterSafe’ programmes, which are aimed at raising awareness and reducing motorcycle related accidents.
Mick Cheeseman, Sergeant in the Motorcycle Tasking Team, said. “The Motorcycle Team is very excited to be given the opportunity to test the Zero DS under everyday police conditions; much of our work is about giving advice and instruction on keeping motorcyclists safe on London’s roads, and being able to do this on an electric motorcycle means also we can aim to reduce our impact on the environment.”
Edwin Belonje, Managing Director, Zero Motorcycles Europe, added. “We are very pleased to have this opportunity to work with London’s Metropolitan Police and support their efforts to find ways to reduce their carbon output by using zero emission vehicles on a day to day basis. “
Zero Motorcycles are already in commission in Scotts Valley, California, where the Zero DS is used by the police department to assist with local patrols and traffic enforcement.
Safe, clean and not privy to the congestion charge! Sound like a move in the right direction? Let us know your views in the comments box below on this or any of the subjects covered in this week’s Round-up, we’d love to hear from you!
We here at Fleet News Round-up are off to get some snow ball training in, so until next week we bid you safe and happy motoring wherever the road takes you.
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