Abigail Winter and Shirley Douglas at the Co Armagh Ride for the Wall run, September '18

but enforcement will be near impossible without new tech and more police.

IAM RoadSmart says it’s time to bust the myth of multi-tasking behind the wheel, to ensure drivers are fully aware of how dangerous a hands-free mobile phone can be.

With the report Road Safety: Driving While Using a Mobile Phone issued today (13 August) stating that “using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, with potentially catastrophic consequences,” IAM RoadSmart says there needs to be much stricter controls on the use of hands-free mobile phones in cars – and they remain a major distraction to the task of driving.

However, the charity said that it cannot see how any ban can be enforced, with a lack of police numbers meaning drivers feel they won’t get caught.

Today saw the House of Commons Transport Committee issue its report on the use of hands-free mobile phones with MPs calling for tougher restrictions, enforcement and education on the issue.

Official statistics show that in 2017 there were 773 casualties; including 43 deaths and 135 serious injuries, in collisions where a driver using a mobile phone was a contributory factor.

The figures show that the number of people killed or seriously injured has risen steadily since 2011, however alarmingly the rate of enforcement has dropped by more than two-thirds since then.

Two years ago, motorists caught using a hand-held phone have faced a punishment of six points on their licence and a £200 fine – a doubling of the previous penalty.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “IAM RoadSmart strongly welcomed the House of Commons Transport Committee report as it fully confirms what we have known for some time – multi tasking is a myth and any form of smartphone use at the wheel is distracting.

“Clarifying the law so that any use of a phone that involves holding it or placing in the driver’s lap is made illegal should be a top government priority. It doesn’t matter if it’s for music selection or social media updates, it all increases risk behind the wheel particularly for new drivers.

“New laws and tougher penalties are welcome but will only work if the fear of being caught is increased. This can be done through more high-profile policing but could also given an immediate boost by issuing clear guidelines for the use of mobile speed cameras to prosecute any driver they spot with a phone to their ear. 

“The final piece in the jigsaw for IAM RoadSmart would be a revamping of the mobile phone awareness course with every first offender being sent on one to see and feel the real impact of their behaviour.”

He added: “Technology is changing however, and with the introduction of call blocking while in motion and other such measures, we would support the legislative change to ban hands-free to match hand-held.”

IAM RoadSmart also called for the greater use of education campaigns to ensure drivers are aware of the risks of a hands-free call.

In addition to Ace Cafe London celebrating its annual Ace Cafe Reunion at the legendary cafe on London’s North Circular Road on the 6th & 7th September and with the ride-out to Madeira Drive in Brighton on 8th September, this year the cafe is privileged to also be a part of the 59 Club’s 60th Anniversary!
  
 Having been founded in 1959, to celebrate the 59 Club’s 60th Anniversary the annual “Cafe Racer Ride Out” departs the Ace at 10.30am on Saturday 7th September as a “Bypass Burn-Up” to attend a special one hour Celebratory Service and Blessing of the Bikes that, starting at noon , is led by 59 Club Chairman and motorcyclist Father Sergiy’s Diduk, at his Church, All Saints, Hanworth.
   
All Saints Church Hanworth was originally built and consecrated by the late Reverend William Shergold in 1957, prior to his then moving on to the Church of St Mary, Eton Mission at Hackney Wick, London and the 59 Club.
   
As a keen motorcyclist Father Bill, or Farv, as he was affectionately known, visited the Ace Cafe in 1962 to invite motorcyclists to attend a service and blessing of bikes at The Eton Mission, Hackney Wick  This was a great success and was widely reported on at the time.  From this the 59 Motorcycle Club, a registered church charity and motorcycle club was born, and its now revered reputation established.
   
All are invited to attend this very special service and blessing of bikes, which will be held at 12noon on Saturday 7th September.
   
Departing the Ace 10.30am Saturday 7th September, the route being:
 A406 , A40, A312 “Hayes By-Pass” to
 
All Saints Church
Uxbridge Road
TW13 5EE
 
Overflow parking and facilities, to include WC’s, is at the Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre opposite the Church.
  
After the Service and Blessing the “Cafe Racer Ride Out” then returns to the Ace for 2.30pm and the “Best Ridden Cafe Racer” competition judging, awards and rock n’ roll!
 
See you at the Ace!
Rev up and Ride, with the Rockers! 

Multiple world speed record holder, Zef Eisenberg to front brand-new ‘Speed Freaks’ television show which will make its debut on Wednesday 7 August on ITV4 at 9.00pm.

The first 6-part TV series will be broadcast weekly thereafter following daredevil Zef Eisenberg as he scours the nation to meet fellow ‘Speed Freaks’. Whether they’ve fitted a 24,000cc W12 aero-engine into a car, or built from scratch a full Dakar off-road racer, Eisenberg gets into the mindset, behind the wheel, under the bonnet and in to the saddle of Britain’s fastest cars and motorbikes.

Each 60-minute episode features extreme wacky vehicles, major modifications and maxed up tuning, adrenaline-filled racing action, fantastic feats of engineering combined with the lots of laughter, stress and drama – A must see for any petrolhead!

Check out the preview here: https://youtu.be/UkK9q2yNeeM
 
The Speed Freaks show was commissioned for ITV4 by Paul Mortimer, Head of Digital Channels and is produced by Keshet Productions. Speaking on behalf of Keshet Productions David Williams said “This high-octane series features a high octane excitement, to indulge anyone with an interest in cars, motorsports and engineering. Zef’s need for speed and desire to break the Pendine land-speed record is infectious and makes for compelling viewing”.

Each week watch Eisenberg as he challenges his own MADMAX Race Team to take a different vehicle and turn it in to the fastest machine of its kind before he braves life and limb to test it to its full potential.

The knowledge gleaned during the shows play a crucial part in helping Zef and the MADMAX Race Team to build a crazy 1200hp specially road-legal Porsche 911 Turbo to set the all outright speed record at Pendine Sands.

About Zef Eisenberg:
Eisenberg best known for his motorbike exploits is a self-proclaimed ‘Speed Freak’ and no stranger to speed, he currently holds over 47 British and world land speed records including a prestigious Guinness World Record. His records include the world's fastest turbine bike (234mph), the UK's fastest (no-fairing) 'naked' bike (225.6mph), world’s fastest motorbike racer on sand ever at 201.5mph to Britain’s fastest-ever motorcycle crash at over 230mph. 
 
In September 2016 Eisenberg nearly paid the ultimate price when disaster struck at 234mph during a motorcycle record attempt, riding a 560bhp Rolls-Royce jet turbine-powered motorcycle. He broke 11 bones, was hospitalised for three months, spent a further three months in a wheelchair and had to learn to walk again. He defied doctors by racing on the anniversary of the crash on the same track, and just 5 months later became the first man in history to break the 200mph barrier on sand on a motorbike when he recorded a top speed of 201.572mph at Pendine in May 2018.

Sunday 11th August
9am – 5pm
 
“Speedway at the Ace” on Sunday 11th August, (courtesy of the “Speedway Museum” and the World Speedway Riders Association ) celebrates the 90th anniversary of the inauguration in 1929, in Great Britain, of the championship competition that was the forerunner of the World Championship.

With special guests Mike Broadbank, WSRA President who rode for Wembley in the 1950s, and Bert Harkins, who was captain of the “Lions” in the 1970s, together with an array of special speedway machines from through the eras, race jackets from all the London Speedway teams, a “Gating Machine”, and a special Wimbledon display, can all be seen at The Ace alongside the cafe’s annual vintage and classic motorcycle day.
 
Raffle prizes up for grabs on the day include a copy of the hard to find 120 page book “Keep Turning Left” by Roy Lambert which, with its great collection of speedway facts, is a brilliant read and is a must for all speedway fans, as well as a pair of tickets to attend the Brighton National Speed Trials, and a carton of Ace Cafe London tea!
 
Spend £5 or more over the counter at the Ace from 9.30am and receive a raffle ticket, draw at 3pm.
 
Speed thrills and tea spills!