The IAM is calling on the Labour Party to back targets for reducing injuries and deaths on the road at this year’s party conference.

An IAM survey of local Councillors earlier this year showed that Labour Councillors were the most committed to road safety. Seventy-four per cent said it was a priority for them.  Seventy-eight per cent of labour councillors disagreed with the removal of road safety targets.1

Internationally, road safety targets are seen as best practice and are used by most developed and developing countries.  A target-led approach to road safety would allow the highest risk groups such as cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers on rural roads to be the focus of well-coordinated enforcement, engineering and educational campaigns.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Road safety targets work very effectively. In the past they joined up organisations. Local councils, the police, the NHS and safety camera partnerships used common targets to bring their policies together.  And where there was a target, they always wanted to exceed it.”

Despite the ever changeable British weather (yet again) the BMF Tailend was still a successful show organiser’s The Mulberry Group said. “Despite the dismal Friday evening weather plus Sunday’s rain and wind, the show atmosphere was not dampened – The Vertical Trix World Stunt competition ran all weekend (until the rain on Friday evening made it unsafe to do so), the bands on the main stage were all brilliant and on Saturday evening Alvin Stardust had the place packed”

Mulberry’s Martin Chick reported that “Once again the good old British weather conspired against us and the exhibitors and as a result the numbers were somewhat lower than we had hoped for but those who did attend were certainly buying with some very brisk sales reported by a number of traders”.

 “The Vertical Trix World stunt competition was very well received and the competitors were really amazing.

We were also very pleased to welcome Dave Hailwood, who brought his father’s (Mike Hailwood) Honda RC 181 which won him championships in ’65 ’66 and ’67” and rode it into the arena on Sunday so everyone got to see and hear a piece of real history”

The Tailend show was also the end point for Paul Newman who had undertaken a 4,000 mile trip using only A, B and costal roads and the trip was to raise money for the National Autistic Society – a fantastic feat and Paul was joined on the ride in by Alvin Stardust who is an NAS ambassador.

The BMF Tailend Show was the last opportunity for show-goers to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a place on Riders for Health’s incredible motorcycle adventure ride to Zambia in May 2014. For just £1, people could win the trip of a lifetime worth £4,800 and see how motorcycles are saving lives across Africa.     The winning ticket was drawn at 3.15pm on Sunday by former grand prix rider and British road race champion, Keith Huewen and the winner was Mr Colin Baines who will no doubt be preparing for next May already!

The dates for next year’s BMF Shows are: BMF May Show 16-18 May BMF Kelso Bikefest 4-6 July BMF Tailend 12-14 September

To book trade space contact The Mulberry Group now on 01869 277077

Drivers convicted of causing death by dangerous driving should be given stronger and more consistent penalties, according to road safety charity the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

An IAM analysis of eleven recent prosecutions involving mobile and smartphone use revealed that the average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is four-and-a-half years in prison and a disqualification from driving for seven years.  In all of the cases analysed, the convicted drivers were found to have lost their concentration due to using their mobile phone.

Loss of concentration caused:
• Six incidents where vehicles ran into the back of a stationary or slow moving queue of traffic or a broken down vehicle
• Three incidents where vehicles drifted across the road and hit another vehicle head-on
• Two incidents leading to the death of a pedestrian

The vast majority of the public agree that that using a mobile phone while driving is clearly unsafe. Yet, since 2006, 750,000 fixed penalties have been issued to drivers for this very reason.1

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The maximum sentence available to the courts is fourteen years, so there is still scope for an even stronger road safety message that drivers who kill whilst distracted on their phones will be caught and jailed for a long time.

“The lesson here is obvious: never use your phone while driving. Whether you have a hands free kit or use loudspeaker, it doesn’t matter. Using your phone in any capacity reduces your attention from the task at hand – driving.”

1. 90 per cent of respondents disagreed that it was perfectly safe to talk on a handheld phone while driving according to British Social Attitudes survey 2011: Public Attitudes towards Transport:
2. IAM analysis of penalties for causing death by dangerous driving due to using a mobile phone covers the time period 2006-2011.
3. The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

The latest Isle of Man Government Treasury survey has shown a significant increase, over a three-year period, in the economic contribution that the TT Races makes to the Island's economy.

The increase is driven by a rise in visitor numbers, and a higher per-head spend while visitors are on the Island. The research was carried out at the 2013 TT Races and compared with data collected during the 2010 meeting.

The study has revealed that almost 40,000 (39,224) visitors attended the 2013 TT Races, a 27% increase on the 2010 figure (30,787). On average they stayed 6.5 nights and spent £668 compared to £620 in 2010. The total spending of TT visitors in 2013 was £26.2 million compared with £19 million in 2010.

Treasury has assessed the economic contribution of this figure to be £18.9 million with an exchequer benefit of £3.5 million, which represent rises of £5.2 million and £900,000 respectively.

Laurence Skelly, MHK, Political Member, Isle of Man Tourism, commented: "It is important that the Department maximises the contribution that the TT makes to the Island's economy and these results are extremely encouraging and reflect the Department's work in promoting the TT races and developing the commercial programme."

He continued: "As well as the positive economic growth through visitors, we are also seeing significant rises in the commercial income such as sponsorship and ticket sales as well as a notable increase in media coverage which helps to promote the event, the Island and our business interests worldwide."

The net cost of the TT Races to the Government’s Department of Economic Development, once commercial revenues and income have been offset against costs, is £2,617,210. Costs include race administration, course set up costs, grandstand and paddock security, IT, communications, marshalling, medical cover including the air med service, marketing and administration, prize fund and appearance fees.

Each Sunday as night falls, the passion for Marco Simoncelli will burn again in Coriano for 58 seconds.

A three metre long flame will burn from the installation of artist Arcangelo Sassolino, created by an idea from Lino Dainese and Marco's family. There's nothing better than fire to represent Simoncelli's soul and enthusiasm, the things that made people love him.

'Every Sunday' will offer the same emotion he gave to his fans on the track and was unveiled on Thursday 12 September in the presence of family, authorities, riders and friends of Marco.

The first public appearance of the flame was yesterday at 7pm and will be repeated every Sunday.