Millions of people risk losing their job or face difficulty getting work if they drink and drive this Christmas, the Government’s latest THINK! drink drive campaign has revealed today.

The campaign highlights the snowball effect a drink drive conviction can have on future job prospects.

Up to one million people work in jobs they could lose as a result of a drink-drive conviction, while a survey has shown that almost a third (27%) of people would have to give up their job because they rely on a car to get to work.

People who drive as part of their job are particularly vulnerable but someone with a conviction could also be denied access to millions more jobs which are eligible for criminal records checks. These jobs include professional driving jobs, teachers, care workers and jobs in banks and finance.

Any employer can ask to see unspent criminal convictions and research shows that three-quarters of employers admit to taking a criminal conviction into account during the recruitment process.

Launching the ‘Snowball Effect’ drink drive campaign, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said:

“For many people Christmas is about spending time with friends and family and celebrating, but if drivers have a tipple they should not get behind the wheel.

“Just one drink can put you over the limit and the consequences are devastating – not only will you be cuffed and put in a cell, but if you’re convicted you will lose your licence and, as this research shows, you could even lose your job.”

Edmund King, Automobile Association president, said:

"Drink drive convictions have dramatic and traumatic snowball effects. One third of people will lose their jobs and experience years of hiked insurance premiums. A snowball might melt away quickly whilst the effects of a driving ban last way beyond any winter thaw.

"If you are going to drive - don't drink. If you are going to drink - don't drive."

Simon Edwards, head of logistics at recruiting firm Manpower, said:

“In this highly competitive job market a drink drive conviction puts you at a serious disadvantage. It is very common for a client making a decision between two otherwise equal applicants to favour the individual without a drink drive conviction.

“And with the boom in ecommerce and the exponential rise in the dot.com delivery market a conviction rules candidates out from a new and growing industry.

“Everyday I see the devastating impact of a conviction on a candidate’s ability to get or retain a job and the limits this puts on future opportunities”.

Meanwhile a recent survey by Drink Driver Education has shown that 28% of people with convictions worry about applying for jobs in case they conduct a criminal records check.

A third of respondents said not being able to drive limited their choice of job while 47% said their social lives had been affected because they were unable to visit family or friends.

Roger Singer, Head of Drink Driver Education said:

“I help hundreds of drink drivers every year, and they all say the impact of their conviction is much more severe and far-reaching than they imagined.

“Everyone I meet has been given at least a 12-month driving ban. For many this meant instant dismissal from their jobs, for some it meant resigning because they couldn’t get to work. Many haven’t applied for future roles they want because of the conviction and have got stuck in careers they hate.”

IAM response to Think!'s drink-drive campaign‏

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "Drivers must understand that drink driving wrecks lives in all sorts of unexpected ways. For some it’s having to live with the guilt of causing a totally avoidable death or injury but for most it’s the economic impact that comes with a criminal record and a driving ban."

"A prosecution can cut off access to certain jobs and limit your chances of promotion. The total cost of losing a job, car and increased insurance can be as much as £50,000.”

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, made a special visit to the Ducati stand on Saturday, 30 November, as part of his official trip to the Motorcycle Live event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England.

Tim Maccabee, Managing Director, Ducati UK Ltd hosted the Royal guest, introducing him to the features of the brand new Ducati Monster 1200, in addition to the Ducati Diavel, which the Duke climbed aboard when prompted by a member of the public who shouted: "Go on, get on it!"

With a smile, Prince William duly pleased the crowd by trying the Diavel for size, before meeting former Ducati British Superbike Champion, Shane Byrne, with whom he shared some comments on the enjoyment of riding Ducati Motorcycles.

The Duke also took the opportunity of his visit to have a closer look at the new Ducati 1199 Superleggera, which was making its UK debut at the packed show. The limited edition model of only 500 represents the most exclusive and desirable Ducati in the range and with components in magnesium, carbon fibre, and titanium, the model boasts the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle in history.

“It was a real pleasure and an honour to host HRH Prince William on our stand,” commented Tim Maccabee. “He was pleased to take a look around and certainly seemed to enjoy sitting on the different models. He commented on how light the Diavel was, but I think he favoured the 1199 Superleggera.”

The visit was completed with a look at the new Ducati 899 Panigale and an overview of the Ducati TriOptions Cup series in which the model will compete, announced for 2014 as a support race within the British Superbike Championship.

Triumph LIVE is back in 2014. Even bigger and even better than ever at its new home - the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon.

The one day event will feature a huge selection of family friendly activities with live stunt shows, Hinckley factory tours, road and off-road demo rides, to name but a few.

Visitors will also enjoy a variety of retail zones and further attractions to keep them busy throughout the day. 

As the day draws to a close Triumph fans will be treated to an eclectic selection of live music sets to get the party started.

Early bird tickets are on sale now at just £20 with any under 16s welcome absolutely free!

Weekend camping tickets are also available at just £8 per person during the early bird period.

Be quick though; ticket prices will increase on March 1st to the advanced rate (entry £25, camping £10).

Buy your early bird tickets here >

With the support of event partners Footman James Insurance Brokers, Bonhams Auctioneers & Old Bike Mart the VMCC is pleased to announce the 66th VMCC Banbury Run will take place on Sunday 8th June 2014.

With 600 entrants the VMCC Banbury Run is the biggest gathering & run in the world for machines manufactured before 1931. Operating over 3 different routes which all converge back on Gaydon the Banbury Run caters for those who wish to enter a timed event or those who just enjoy the thrill of riding with so many other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. Discounted entry fees will be available for Veteran machines (manufactured prior to 01/01/1915) to encourage more of the very oldest bikes to enter the event.

In conjunction with auction partner Bonhams, the VMCCs Vintage Training Day stays as part of the programme making for a real Vintage Weekend.

All 600 Banbury Run places sell out before the closing date of 28/02/14 so it’s important that entry forms (which are available from VMCC HQ on 03/01/14) are returned as quickly as possible. 
The Bonhams Auction.

Event partner Bonhams will again be holding a sale of Pioneer, Veteran and Vintage Motorcycles the afternoon before the run on Sat 07/06/14. The venue for the auction will be Bonhams prestigious saleroom at Banbury Rd, Shipton on Cherwell, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1JH. 

The Autojumble

Supported by Old Bike Mart the famous Banbury Run autojumble is always a favourite as one of the best sources of Veteran & Vintage Motorcycle spares. If you are interested in an autojumble pitch please contact Natalie Thornhill at VMCC HQ or e-mail [email protected]

VMCC Vintage Training Day in conjunction with Bonhams Auctioneers

The VMCCs famous Vintage Training Day remains part of the event when Saturday 07/06/14 sees Vintage Virgins get the chance to learn to ride hand change and girder fork machines under supervision from their (VMCC Member) owners. Entry forms & more details will be available from VMCC HQ after 01/02/14.

Can you help?

We rely on dozens of volunteers to make the event happen. We always require marshals to help at the checkpoints on the various routes or on the actual site and can promise you not only a great day out but also a packed lunch!  To find out how you can help please contact Helen Bensley at VMCC HQ [email protected] 

The dedicated event website www.banbury-run.co.uk not only has all the latest event information but also has all the entry forms etc to download as from 03/01/14.

Honda has revealed that it will contest the 2014 FIM Endurance World Championship with an all-new rider line-up and the clear aim of securing the title victory. French endurance racing experts Julien Da Costa, Freddy Foray and Sebastien Gimbert will form a formidable three-man squad for the five-round series, competing aboard the 2014 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.

The three riders have an impressive collective track record in EWC with no fewer than seven championship titles between them. Da Costa is a three-time EWC champion – most recently in 2013 – and has placed first at the Le Mans 24-hour three times and the Bol d'Or 24-hour twice. The 32-year-old was also French Superbike Champion in 2012.

Foray (29) meanwhile secured back-to-back Endurance World Championships in 2010 and 2011 and is no stranger to the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, having competed in the 2013 German IDM series and the final two rounds of the 2013 British Superbike season aboard the machine. 

Gimbert also has a history with Honda. He raced for official Honda teams from 1995-2001 and starting his endurance career with the manufacturer in 1999. The 36-year-old rider secured the EWC title in 2004 and has placed second overall in the championship in the last two years. He is also a double French Superbike Champion.

Honda’s new direction in EWC supersedes the three-year Honda TT Legends project, which has seen road racing specialists compete in the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and World Endurance events under the same banner with the unifying link of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.

The outfit secured some impressive results and in doing so successfully raised the profile of the Endurance World Championship and Honda’s involvement in the series. The 2014 team will continue to be run from the same UK base and will re-focus its strategy on challenging for the championship title. 

Robert Watherston – Head of Motorsport, Honda Motor Europe

We’re very pleased to reveal Honda’s 2014 plans for the Endurance World Championship and announce the new team with Julien, Freddy and Sebastien on board. Over the last three years we have developed a solid foundation and secured consistent results – it’s now time to up our game and sharpen our attack on the 2014 title. The level of competition in EWC is incredibly high and the new direction for the team ensures that we have all the right elements in place to increase our chances of success in the championship. With three proven endurance specialists in the line-up I’m confident that Honda can once again see its name on the Endurance World Championship trophy.

Julien Da Costa

I am very excited to be with Honda for 2014. It’s a new machine and a new team for me and I’m motivated like never before. I have never worked with Honda as a professional rider before, but I know we are aiming to win the world championship and I believe 100% that we can make that happen. I know Freddy really well, we are good friends and sometimes train together in the winter and we will definitely work well together. I’ve known Sebastien for a very long time but we’ve never been team-mates. He has been one of my best opponents over the years – we’ve battled on the track many times and fought for the French Superbike title together four times. I’m sure we will all do the job on track! I’m looking forward to getting to know the team and I’m ready to work hard to fight for the title.

Freddy Foray

It is a real pleasure to be working with Honda for 2014 and I’m looking forward to getting started. Julien is a very good friend of mine and this will be the second time we have worked together as team-mates. I know him very well, I know his mentality and it will be great to work with him again. It will be my first time on the same team as Sebastien but I have known him and raced against him for many years. Together with the Honda crew and the Fireblade I think we have a very strong team. I’m very happy to be a part of it and can’t wait to begin.

Sebastien Gimbert

I am very happy to be with Honda for 2014. It’s a very professional team and the Fireblade is a fast bike. I rode for Honda for many years in my early racing days, started my endurance career with them in 1999 and won the Le Mans 24-hour on the SP1 in 2000, so it feels like a second family to me. My new team-mates are both very fast, the crew has good experience and I am very motivated to begin this new challenge. I’m already training hard and looking forward to getting on the Fireblade to do my first laps. With this new team, I know that we have a very strong chance to fight for the 2014 championship title.