‘ACTION PLAN FOR OLDER DRIVERS’ CALL BY IAM / MOTORSPORT AT THE PALACE / LOWEST PETROL SALES IN 25 YEARS / BLANKET BAN ON RICKSHAWS A STEP TOO FAR – VAL SHAWCROSS
‘ACTION PLAN FOR OLDER DRIVERS’ CALL BY IAM
OLDER DRIVERS should be allowed to enjoy their motoring days longer, say the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
With the number of drivers age 70 or older now rising by more than 10,000 a month, the IAM are calling for the government, medical professionals and assessment providers to come together to address the needs of this generation of motorists.
The IAM wants:
- A government action plan for older drivers
- More car manufacturers considering older drivers in vehicle design
- Better information for older drivers and their families
- Online self-assessment tools for older drivers
- Wider availability of voluntary on-road driving assessments
- Better partnership working at a local level
The call comes in light of figures showing for the first time there are now more than 4.34 million licence holders over 70 on our roads; 320,000 more than three years ago – an increase of 11 per cent from 3.9 million in 2012.
Britain’s oldest licence holder in 2015 is 107, while in 2012 it was 106.
IAM chief executive officer, said Sarah Sillars: “People are living longer and therefore there are many more drivers on the roads that are past retirement age. “We want these drivers to enjoy their motoring for as long as possible, so we want some thought and resources to go into how we can allow this to happen.”
IAM research shows that the most common factors in a road accident involving a person over 70 were: failing to judge the other person’s path or speed, poor turn-in or manoeuvre, losing control, illness or disability, dazzling sun; and nervousness, anxiety or panic.
It added those factors were typical of deteriorating physical and cognitive functioning.
But the figures also show that older drivers are proven to be the safest on the roads. Previous analysis by the IAM found that older drivers are involved in a smaller number of injury accidents than drivers under the age of 60.
In 2011, people over 70 made up nine per cent of drivers but six per cent of driver casualties, while drivers under 30 made up 20 pc of drivers but 35 pc of casualties.(Source: IAM press release.)
MOTORSPORT AT THE PALACE
Timetable: Sunday and Monday
0900: Gates open to the public0900: Practice sessions start
At the conclusion of the practice runs there will be the following on-track entertainment:
Sunday: Eco Kart Races
Monday: Classic Motorcycle Grid
1300: Competition runs start (each competitor will have three runs along the course, each one timed ~ the fastest will count towards the final results)
Following the first timed run each afternoon, there will be a parade of racing and other motorcycles on track
During the competition runs there will also be demonstrations of vehicles not taking part in the competition
1715 (approx): Awards ceremony
NB: Due to the nature of motor sport, unavoidable delays may occur, therefore these timings are for guidance only.Motorsport at Crystal Palace: 24-25 May 2015 in association with the Ancaster Group.
LOWEST PETROL SALES IN 25 YEARS
Petrol sales fell 10 per cent in March to a record low of 1.31bn litres following a four per cent growth in February when drivers took advantage of prices 22p a litre lower than the year before, according to the latest figures released by HMRC.RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Fuel usage statistics from February clearly demonstrated increased vehicle use from both petrol and diesel drivers, but these figures show this has been reversed.
“March is traditionally one of the lowest months of the year for petrol consumption, as a result of families using their cars less ahead of greater use in the Easter holidays.
The fall in fuel sales also led to a fall in the amount of duty collected by the Treasury –£2.06bn – down by £172m – from £2.24bn in February. But the Treasury still takes nearly 70 per cent of the pump price in fuel duty and VAT, say the RAC. (Source: RAC press release.)
BLANKET BAN ON RICKSHAWS A STEP TOO FAR – VAL SHAWCROSS
Commenting on reports that Mayor of London Boris Johnson is planning a rickshaw ban in London, Labour’s London Assembly transport spokeswoman Val Shawcross said:“We do need to take action on rickshaws operating in London. “We know that pedicabs can cause safety problems for pedestrians and other road users and we know that many are operating as private hire vehicles.
“A blanket ban is a step too far. “What is needed is a much greater level of control, with just a limited number of licences given to operate for tourists in a small number of safe locations.
“If Londoners want to use them for their personal use that is their choice, but let’s be clear that rickshaws should not be operating as taxis.
“We’ve been calling for action on rickshaws for years now, so it’s a little bizarre that the Mayor is only just waking up to the issue.” Val Shawcross is the Labour London Assembly member for Lambeth and Southwark (Source: GLA Labour party press release).
