A positive impact on motorcycling casualties
20 Jul 2010

West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme (WMCRS) has heralded the first On Two Wheels road safety show a success; even though visitor numbers were lower than hoped for.

The event was held at Birmingham City Football Club in Bordesley on Sunday 18th July with the aim of providing easy access to road safety information, advice and 'hands on' training for moped and motorcycle riders from across the West Midlands.

Inspector Mick Hartill from WMCRS said:

"We were expecting foul weather right at the beginning of the show, but although it didn't materialise, the prediction obviously dissuaded some from visiting the event on two wheels. Nearly 1,300 people did attend and, most importantly, a lot of information and advice about voluntary rider training and protective clothing was shared. The Try Before You Buy arena was booked solidly for young and new riders and BikeSafe completed a number of observed ride-outs with more experienced motorcycle riders."

A significant amount of support was secured for the event from road safety partnerships, West Midlands Police, other emergency services, regional motorcycle dealerships, riding instructors and other road safety-related businesses from further afield.

Inspector Hartill continues:

"This is a very positive way to engage with two wheeled commuters and the motorcycling community as a whole; it was as focused and informative as it was enjoyable and sociable. About £500 was also donated to Midlands Air Ambulance by visitors and through a motorcycle clothing auction. Visitor feedback was excellent, the support of the motorcycle industry was very much appreciated and we would like to develop the event and make it happen again next year."

For more information, go to www.ontwowheelsbikeshow.co.uk.

Man found guilty of perverting the course of justice
15 Jun 2010

A private hire driver from Birmingham has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice following a string of safety camera activations.

Mr Nazam Hussain, 29, of Bordesley Green, Birmingham activated safety cameras on three separate occasions, each time falsely nominating another driver, who was subsequently convicted in their absence. Enquiries by the Camera Enforcement Unit revealed his deception and he was arrested and charged with perverting the course of justice and appeared before Birmingham Crown Court. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for six months, a twelve month supervision order and 150 hours unpaid work.

Inspector Mick Hartill from West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme said: "This case highlights the issue of a professional driver, who has broken the law on a number of occasions, putting his passengers at risk. He has then tried to deceive the courts and avoid detection. His sentence reflects the serious nature of this case and the potential impact that excess speed has on an individual and the wider community."

Speed awareness courses to start in West Midlands
9 Jun 2010

Motorists caught speeding in the West Midlands will soon be able to avoid getting three points on their licence in exchange for attending a short classroom education course.

Speed awareness courses are being introduced later this Summer by West Midlands Police to re-educate motorists and cut the region’s road crash toll.

Experienced instructors from the TTC Group, the UK's leading driver training specialists based in Shropshire, will run the four hour courses in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Dudley, Coventry and Walsall.

Most UK police forces have already introduced the courses as an innovative way to reduce road deaths and injuries by educating motorists. Many drivers who volunteer to attend the courses after being caught speeding say they learn how to stick to speed limits and avoid concentration lapses.

Inspector Mick Hartill of West Midlands Police said: "Road safety is an important priority for West Midlands Police and we are committed to enhancing public trust, confidence and reassurance through an appropriate police response and reducing the number of road casualties.

"Excessive speed is a factor in a large number of road traffic collisions. However we do appreciate that some drivers may suffer a lapse of attention rather than deliberately breaking the law—that is why we are introducing these courses for low end speeding to educate instead of penalising motorists."

The TTC Group, which educates thousands of motorists each year, has a driver training HQ in Telford which was opened by the Princess Royal. The organisation has more than 100 top rated driver trainers who run the interactive courses praised by motorists nationwide.

Drink drive rehabilitation courses in the West Midlands, also run by the TTC Group, have been commended for educating motorists and reducing re-offending rates.

On the speed course, motorists learn about hazard awareness, speeding consequences and driving safety tips. They hear about a typical speed survey of motorists driving between 3pm and 4pm past a primary school during term time—where over half were travelling too fast.

TTC Group General Manager Des Morrison said that the vast majority of motorists who attend speed awareness courses change their driving behaviour as a result.

"Drivers tell us that initially they don’t like the idea of attending the course but after experiencing it they write in and tell us how good it is and how everyone should go on the course to learn better driving skills.

"Many people pass their driving test as teenagers and don’t get any extra driving tuition until they attend a speed awareness course and realise how much they have forgotten or are unaware of because of changes in the Highway Code.

"This is a much fairer system for motorists. Instead of being fined, they will learn how to reduce their speed, comply with speed limits, and become safer drivers. Lives will be saved as a result."

There was a "growing realisation" by both local authorities and police that they must take action to combat 40,000 serious road crashes in the UK each year, added Mr Morrison.

The TTC Group is the UK's largest provider of speed awareness courses and runs courses in South Yorkshire, Cumbria, West Mercia, mid and South Wales.

The award winning organisation also educates professional drivers running courses for fleet managers and the corporate sector through TTC Automotive, part of the TTC Group.

For more information about driver education visit www.ttc-uk.com or call 0845 270 4363.