Government's Response to the North reports on drink and drug driving

This is a link to the Government's response to the independent report on drink and drug driving in Great Britain commissioned by the previous Government from Sir Peter North in December 2009.

The response confirmed their strategy is to focus resources and any legislative changes on measures which will have the most impact in reducing dangerous behaviours. There are therefore two main priorities to continue the successful abatement of drink-driving and achieve similar success against drug-driving:

• to give the police effective tools to identify and proceed against drug-drivers;
• to streamline the enforcement process for drink and drug driving to ensure the most efficient use of police and other enforcement resources.

For the full response on the DfT website click here...

source: DfT

DfT says 'lifts don't count as private hire'

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published guidance on what constitutes a private hire vehicle (PHV). It confirms that "most informal courtesy lifts offered by, for example, rental car companies or garages would not fall within the PHV licensing regime."

The guidance follows a review of legislation after the BVRLA highlighted the concerns of rental companies threatened with legal action by local authorities on the grounds that their vehicles had to be licensed to pick up or drop off customers.

"We estimate that compliance with private hire regulations would have cost members £3m a year and restricted the level of service rental firms could have offered to their customers," said Jay Parmar, head of legal services at the BVRLA. "We welcome the extra clarification."

The DfT's guidance note has been sent to interested stakeholders for comment by 25 March 2011 and will then be subject to ministerial approval before being published. Copies are available from BVRLA legal services executive Amanda Brandon.

Contact: Amanda Brandon, e: amanda@bvrla.co.uk t: 01494 545701

To visit the BVRLA website and to become a member click here...

source: BVRLA

DfT days driving is getting safer

Newly published Department for Transport (DfT) figures show that compared to previous figures, driving is becoming far safer.

According to the DfT, in 2009 there were 222,146 reported casualties of all severities, 4% lower than in 2008. Of these, 2,222 people were killed, 12% lower than in 2008. The number of fatalities fell for almost all types of road user, most notably with a drop of 16% for car occupants.

Figures on the number of people killed and injured on the roads in 2009 were published in June, but this report provides more detailed information about accident circumstances, vehicle involvement and casualties, as well as trends in accidents and casualties.

Further information on Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2009: Annual Report can be found on the DfT website by clicking here...

To visit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

Van best practice programme

The Van Best Practice Programme helps van users to save money by improving the operational, environmental and safety performance of their vans.

By making small changes to everyday practice, you can drive down costs and improve business performance. Van Best Practice offers free advice to businesses of all sizes on how they can change the way they run their vans to reduce fuel costs, running costs and CO2 emissions.

For full details from the DfT website click here...

source: DfT

Third EU Driving Directive

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a consultation document outlining its proposals for implementing the third EU directive on driving licences. In general, the directive harmonises definitions of vehicle sub-categories and rules on the duration of the validity of a driving licence across the European Union and the European Economic Area.

The BVRLA will await with interest the outcome of the consultation as the manner in which the directive is implemented will have the potential to impact members' customers. For example, the directive requires that drivers of large and medium-sized buses and lorries renew their licences and demonstrate continuing medical fitness every five years, rather than the present UK requirement for five-yearly renewal only after age 45.

There are currently no plans to introduce a smart card driving licence but it is proposed that old-style UK licences be recalled (although there will be a separate consultation on this).

The consultation will run until 5 February 2010.

For full details from the DfT website click here...

source: BVRLA

14% Drop in Road Deaths

The Department for Transport has published the statistical report “Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2008: Annual Report”.

Headline final figures on the number of people killed and injured on the roads in Great Britain in 2008 were first published in June 2009. The statistical report provides more detailed information about accident circumstances, vehicle involvement and the consequent casualties in 2008, along with some of the key trends in accidents and casualties.

There were a total of 230,905 reported casualties of all severities, 7 per cent lower than in 2007. 2,538 people were killed, 14 per cent lower than in 2007, 26,034 were seriously injured (down 6 per cent) and 202,333 were slightly injured (down 7 per cent).

The number of fatalities fell for almost all types of road user, with a fall of 12 per cent for car occupants, 11 per cent for pedestrians, 16 per cent for motorcyclists and 15 per cent for pedal cyclists.

Failed to look properly was again the most frequently reported contributory factor and was reported in 37 per cent of all accidents reported to the police in 2008. Four of the five most frequently reported contributory factors involved driver or rider error or reaction. For fatal accidents the most frequently reported contributory factor was loss of control, which was involved in 32 per cent of fatal accidents.

Fourteen per cent of accidents had a speed related contributory factor reported, either exceeding the speed limit or travelling too fast for conditions. This rose to 24 per cent for fatal accidents, accounting for 25 per cent of all road deaths. Twenty three per cent of fatalities in these accidents were motorcyclists.

Young drivers were more likely to have a speed related contributory factor reported than those over 25, and more than four times as many male drivers had a speed factor reported as female drivers. Forty one per cent of male fatalities aged 16-25 were in accidents where a speed factor was reported.

For the full details on the DfT website click here...

source: DfT

THINK! Targets Texting

Drivers who text at the wheel are being targeted with a new hard-hitting THINK! campaign. The campaign comes as research shows 30 per cent of young drivers admitted to texting while driving.

An online 'driving challenge' game has also been launched through social networking communities and entertainment sites. The game shows how distracting using a mobile at the wheel can be and is designed to help change driver behaviour. To play the game, follow the link below - only 19% of people pass the test.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "It doesn't matter how good a driver you are, if you text while driving then you cannot be giving the road your full attention.

Take the 'online driving challenge' click here...

source: DfT