With the clocks going back this Sunday (28 October) IAM RoadSmart has again called to scrap the practice this year, and switch to a daylight saving system to cut the number of young children injured in road crashes on their way home from school over the winter months.

Statistics from the Department for Transport show that of the 15,976 children hurt on Britain’s roads in 2016, nearly a quarter (22%) were hurt during the hours of 3-5pm (reference 1).

The likelihood of a child being involved in a crash on the way home from school increases by 20% over the winter months.

It is well known that casualty rates rise between 3pm and 7pm as the days shorten. IAM RoadSmart warns that the dark afternoons are an especially dangerous time for youngsters coming home, with less supervision and individuals heading off to different activities at different times in this key period.

According to official statistics, in 2016 pedestrian deaths rose from 20 in September to 35 in October, 50 in November and 67 in December (also reference 1).

In 2009, the Department for Transport’s consultation paper ‘A Safer Way: Making Britain’s Roads the Safest in the World’ stated that moving to lighter evenings would prevent about 80 deaths on the road a year (reference 2).

IAM RoadSmart is especially concerned for youngsters aged 10-14, who have graduated to secondary school and are often making their way home solo for the first time. For this age group, road crashes make up over 50% of all external causes of death (reference 3).

IAM RoadSmart is suggesting that to allow extra daylight in the afternoons we should not put the clocks back this winter, then next March move one hour ahead – and then go back one hour in October 2019 (so called ‘double British summer time’ which also aligns us with most of Europe).

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “Every year there are unnecessary young victims through the winter as children go home in the darkness from school or out-of-hours activities. This is not difficult to achieve.

“We are playing with the lives of children for no good reason. Young pedestrians under 15 are already a huge ‘at risk’ group for road safety, and that risk becomes even greater as the nights draw in.

“It would be easy to implement, and without question save lives – so there are no good road safety reasons why this isn’t happening. The UK should at least trial the idea to prove the benefits once and for all.”

Saturday 8th December
7.30pm – Late
Sorry no under 18’s

To buy tickets in advance click here
 
Crisis is the UK national charity for single homeless people. The charity offers year-round education, employment, housing and well-being services from centres in London, Newcastle, Oxford, Edinburgh and Merseyside, called Crisis Skylight Centres.
 
As well as year-round services Crisis runs Crisis at Christmas, which since 1972 has been offering food, warmth, companionship and vital services to homeless people over the Christmas period. In 2017 almost 4,600 homeless people visited Crisis at Christmas, which was run by about 11,000 volunteers.

The Triple M Honda World Superbike Team will not participate in the WorldSBK season finale in Qatar this weekend due to an injury to rider Florian Marino.
Marino suffered fractures in his left leg following a crash in Race 2 at the previous round in Argentina, after a promising WorldSBK debut in Race 1 where he claimed eleventh place.

With Marino injured, the team has opted to withdraw from the Qatar round and will now switch its focus to preparing for the 2019 season.

Come and meet Henry Cole who will be launching his new book “A Bikers Life”, from 8pm on Friday 26th October @ Ace Cafe London.  

The event is free and Henry will be personally signing copies which will be available to purchase on the day.

Henry Cole is on television most days of the year as the presenter of shows like Find It, Fix It, Flog It!, Shed and Buried, The World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides and The Motorbike Show.

Now in its 4^th year, the MACH Festival has quickly grown into one of the most innovative and unique biker festivals in the world. 

Located in Llanidloes in the heart of Wales, offering two mass ride outs, several DIY routes, green-laning and the annual Adventure Quest there’s no shortage of opportunities to get out on your bike and explore.

Off the bike and in the main tent we have a line-up of acts that in the past has included a rendition of Metallica by violin, comedic folk and up-and-coming rock and indie bands. New acts for MACH include the amazing swing band ‘The Zen Hussies’ and the superb ‘Ouse Valley Singles Club’. 

In the brand new ‘Quirky Tent’ we have hypnotists and mind-readers and more. All performing in a magical environment befitting a master illusionist.

Then when you least expect it, a 12ft laser robot goes walkabout, a circus troupe performs cutting edge theatre with a stunning fire display whilst a slack-liner escapologist dangles in the air.

And look at the refreshments! Added alongside our beloved Ty Gwyn cider will be 6 new types of locally brewed craft beer, fresh pizzas from our brand new copper-topped pizza oven, mega-burgers and our usual range of 100% home-made food.

There’s also technical Master classes, some brand new guest speakers and much more to be announced. Visit www.MACHFestival.co.uk for more details.