Half of motorists are unaware that the breathalysers they will soon need to carry in France must be certified to the French NF standard, according to the IAM’s (Institute of Advanced Motorists) latest web poll of 2300 respondents. Compulsory from 1st July, the easiest way to tell if the breathalyser complies with the French legislation is to make sure it has the blue circular NF logo, the French equivalent of the BSI kite mark in the UK.
 
Other findings show that 82 per cent of people think that the new regulations will have no effect on reducing drink driving, as intended by the French authorities. Only 13 per cent said that the new regulations will reduce people driving over the limit, and 70 per cent said that drivers will only carry them to comply with the law, and will not change their behaviour.
 
Despite a general scepticism about the impact these new regulations will have, compliance is set to be high. Seventy-five per cent of respondents plan to take the breathalyser kit with them. Only seven per cent said they didn’t plan to. Eighteen per cent didn’t know or hadn’t thought about it.
 
The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg).
 
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Agree with the changes or not, from July 1st you will face a fine if you don’t carry an NF approved breathalyser while travelling in France. While these are a good way of being sure you are safe to drive, if you’re going to drink don’t drive, and beware the morning after effect.
 
“We will be looking forward to seeing the evaluation of what impact this new legislation is having. Support is likely to be higher if people can see that carrying a breathalyser actually reduces drink driving.”
 
AlcoSense Breathalyser managing director Hunter Abbott said: “There are a lot of products being sold as “French Breathalysers” which will not satisfy the Gendarmerie. If the product you buy has the French NF logo on it you’ll be OK, otherwise the Gendarmerie will not accept it and may treat you the same way as if you do not have one at all. AlcoSense NF Breathalysers (Redline R1) are one of only two single use products on the market which are on the Official Securite Routier approved list. If you purchase a product not on the list or without the NF logo, it puts you at risk of breaking the new law.”

www.iam.org.uk

Bikers Friend is an injury calculator, an application built for www.motorcyclecompensation.com

The app allows the user to view instantly what they could be awarded in damages from the fault party.

Version one of this app is a simple compensation calculator for motorcyclists. Version two is well underway and will include location markers, ability to upload photos, video and voice recordings directly into the site via the app. Its free forever for bikers. Even the updated versions which will be released shortly. At present it is available on the android platform and will be released into the Apple i-store later this year.

Click here to get this free BIKERS FRIEND app today!

And they’re off...
 
A team of eight motorcyclists from road safety charity, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) will embark on their journey on Monday 18 June to ride around Britain to raise awareness of road safety and money for the Association for Air Ambulances.
 
The eight riders will set off from the Ace Cafe London this morning, and will head to the IAM offices at Chiswick with IAM chief executive Simon Best, before travelling south west on the first leg of their tour, to Christchurch.
 
Over the week long tour, they will be visiting Christchurch, Bournemouth, Bassetts Pole, Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast and finishing at Bike Fest in Shrewsbury.
 
On Friday 22 June, Belfast will see a world record attempt for the most number of makes and models of motorcycles in a single parade. Supporters of this event include the Quay Vipers Motorcycle Club, Adelaide Insurance Services, Days Hotel, Stena Line, Fiat and Bridgestone Tyres.
 
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users, but anyone that rides appreciates the enjoyment, convenience, and freedom that motorcycling brings.
 
“Our riders will demonstrate this on their ride around the UK, while raising money for the Association of Air Ambulances. Tragically, riding does sometimes go wrong and the quick response service they provide is vital in saving lives.”
 
Donate to the Association of Air Ambulances.
 
Find out more about the Around British Isles Bike Ride.
 
Sign up for the world record attempt.

www.iam.org.uk

Over 600 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will descend on the Heritage Motor Centre for the 64th nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run™ on Sunday 17 June. 

The event, which is the largest gathering of pre-1931 Motorcycles & 3 Wheelers in the World, will also feature Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays.

The Banbury Run™ is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. Visitors can see the bikes in all their glory as they set off for their annual Run around the countryside which is an amazing spectacle to watch. 

Visitors can also buy some of the best vintage fashions, accessories, curios and handmade crafts on the first floor of the Heritage Centre. There are free activities for children, including the chance to win a Giant Retro Space Hopper in the Space Hopper Hunt!

Emma Rawlinson, Event Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “The Banbury Run is a fantastic event and we’re delighted to be hosting it for the fifth year with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. Watching hundreds of vintage motorcycles cruise the roads is a wonderful sight to see!”

The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm on Sunday 17 June with the Banbury Run™ beginning at 10am.  Advance tickets costs £5 or £7 on the day. FREE museum entry is offered to entrants and spectators. Camping is available from Friday 15 June through to Monday 18 June. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the ticket hotline on 01926 645029 Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

The legal terminology for claiming compensation is quite straight forward...

PAIN, SUFFERING AND LOSS OF AMENIETY

Pain and suffering after a bike accident is quite straight forward and almost every biker knows about pain and suffering! It is the amount of pain and suffering that you experience as a result of the bike accident. It is always wise to keep a diary on a daily basis to show the amount of pain you are experiencing. Put it in your own words, you will find it invaluable in the future. As well as your symptoms, it is also advisable to list the amount and type of medication you are on. 

Do not leave it all to the medical specialist and lawyers, as the more you do in this regard, the better the settlement is likely to be.

Loss of amenity means exactly what it says. If you used to dance or engage in a particular sport or pastime before your bike accident, but can no longer do so because of the bike accident, then our bike lawyers will want to know about it. That also includes motorcycling. In some cases it is the only form of transport the claimant has, but in others, biking is purely a fun thing. Any loss of enjoyment is claimable.

FINANCIAL LOSS AFTER A BIKE ACCIDENT

This is commonly known as ‘out of pocket expenses’.

This can be: Loss of earnings Loss of bonus or commission Travel costs where you are unable to ride or drive yourself. Prescription costs. Repair costs. Medical specialist cost. Legal costs. The cost of personal or domestic care. (This can be a relative or partner) Keep a diary off all the tasks they have to carry out for you and the amount of time they take to do it.

Once again, we cannot emphasize the importance of keeping a diary of all costs accrued. Costs must be justifiable. You can reasonably be expected to be assisted in and out of bed when you have a broken leg after a bike accident. But this becomes unreasonable if you have a broken finger. Always be able to fully justify your costs and expenditure as your opponent’s lawyers will scrutinise these in minute detail in an effort to minimize what you are claiming for. Remember, a Judge will not look too favourably on a claim where the claimant has been found to have tried to exceed the bounds of reasonableness. One small instance of such an attempt can lead to your credibility being damaged, and thereafter your claim failing because the Judge simply cannot rely upon your word.

Important to remember: Always keep receipts, as failure to provide written and documentary proof of your out of pocket expenses may result in them not being awarded at all.