Tachometer breaks, the mandatory rest stops commercial operators must take when driving, were the cause of nearly 1,700 road closures in one year alone, according to newly released figures from IAM Drive & Survive.

According to the Road Haulage Association 85% of everything sold in the UK is carried by truck at some stage of the supply chain (reference 1) with this number set to increase as more retail purchases are made online in the run up to Christmas.

The numbers come from a Freedom of Information request to Highways England into why motorways and major A roads were closed in 2014. Tachometer breaks are one of the top 25 reasons for lane closures, with 1,669 incidents last year.

IAM Drive & Survive says one of the main causes of this problem is road infrastructure – insufficient numbers of laybys, a lack of services for commercial drivers and the impact of long distances of road works.

It adds that drivers and their employers can play their part in ensuring their journeys are as smooth and safe as possible and that planning journeys in advance is key.

Researching routes with good facilities for drivers, looking up road closures and avoiding areas where traffic delays are common all help to avoid the need to stop in unsuitable locations.

Lesley Upham, IAM commercial director, said: “Designing the roads and facilities drivers need to operate safely is essential, but meeting this objective needs a long-term approach.

“Until then employers and drivers must remain aware of the challenges and plan their journeys accordingly. Radio road traffic reports and live traffic functions on satellite navigation systems have a role to play, but planning ahead and having an alternative route in mind is also essential. There is also a great responsibility on employers to limit the time-based pressure put on their drivers. Nothing will delay their operations as much as a serious incident and if an accident occurs procedures will be scrutinised.”

Other significant reasons for road closures include abnormal load (3,191) and vehicle shedding its load (6,648).

IAM Drive & Survive is a leading occupational driver risk management provider and helps companies reduce on-road incidents, minimise costs and look after their drivers. To download a copy of its Driver Risk management booklet click here

The Association which represents Wheels to Work transport schemes is urging the Chancellor to continue to help unemployed people with transport costs, in his November spending review.

Wheels to Work schemes (W2W) provide a temporary loan of a moped, scooter, bicycle or motorcycle to individuals who are unable to start work or take up training for work, due to a lack of public or private transport. Clients are usually young people, aged between 16 and 25, although in recent years older people have needed transport loans after periods of unemployment. Schemes generate income through charging for the loans but many need to access matched funding to meet costs.

Funding could soon become a problem for Wheels to Work schemes, as the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) will not be available from next year. Many schemes have benefited from LSTF, which was a pot of money made available to local authorities by the Coalition Government, to support growth and cut carbon.

There are currently 45 W2W schemes across the UK, nearly double the number there were in 2013, with others in the pipeline. The Wheels to Work Association is concerned that these schemes will close or reduce numbers, if the Chancellor fails to earmark funding for transport to work and new schemes will not be able to access start-up funding.

The Association’s Chairman, Nigel Dotchin, has written directly to George Osbourne to highlight the practical value of W2W, which helps young people such as apprentices get to and from work, without which they would be unemployed. A loss of W2W would be particularly critical in rural areas, where public transport has been reduced or phased out.

The Association has also offered public backing to the Campaign for Better Transport, which is calling for government to create a new ‘transport into work’ programme. This would encourage targeted initiatives, including W2W, which would help people into work, where transport was a barrier.

In his letter to the Chancellor, Nigel Dotchin pointed out how W2W helps meet Government targets for growth:

“The schemes are helping to deliver not only the Government’s accessibility agenda, but also contribute to wider policy ambitions such as the apprenticeships initiative, and road safety for those on two wheels.

“It would be a great shame if the Government allowed these schemes to flounder, which would further compound the inequality in employment opportunities for those living in rural areas.”

www.wheels2workassociation.org 

2016 road racing campaign. The announcement was made on the main stage in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd on ‘TT Day’ at the Motorcycle Live exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham.

The ‘Morecambe Missile’ and the ‘Ramsey Rocket’ will contest the Superbike classes at the North West 200 and also the Superbike and Senior races at the Isle of Man TT aboard the proven Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. Cummins will also take part in the 2016 Ulster GP and both riders are scheduled to race at Macau later in the year.

With 23 TT wins to his name, McGuinness proved he was still the man to beat in 2015, storming to victory in the blue riband Senior race and smashing the outright lap record around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course with a 132.701mph lap.

Isle of Man native Cummins, 29, took two podium places in tricky conditions at the 2015 Ulster GP aboard the Honda CBR, finishing second in the Dundrod 150 Superbike race and the final Superbike race of the day. Both riders competed in last month’s 12-lap Macau Grand Prix where they took fourth and seventh places respectively on their Honda machines.

In addition to their commitments with the official Honda Racing squad, McGuinness and Cummins will race with the private Jackson Racing team on Honda’s CBR600RR in the Supersport class at the NW200 and TT. The duo will also compete in the 2016 Endurance World Championship Superstock class aboard the Fireblade SP and Cummins will compete for Jackson Racing in the Superstock class on the roads.

Motorcycle Live has been a successful show for Honda who showcased its new range of 2016 motorcycles, including the all-new Africa Twin and the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP, McGuinness and Cummins will hopefully ride to victory on in 2016.

For all the latest news from the Honda Racing team, follow @HondaRacingCBR.

Motorcycle Live closed its doors for 2015 on Sunday after nine action-packed days that saw modern motorcycling come to life. Over 35 of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers showcased their latest machinery, while visitors of all ages enjoyed 16 live and interactive features, including nine FREE opportunities to ride a bike.

We would like to thank every single person that attended the show and made it such a brilliant nine days – we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! If you did attend, you may receive an email asking you to complete a short survey about your experience. We would really appreciate your feedback so that we can make Motorcycle Live even better next year.

Make a date for your diary for Motorcycle Live 2016, at The NEC, Birmingham from 19-27 November.

‘Total black’ stage dedicated to the XDiavel, an undisputed ‘star’ of the show
• Ducati Scrambler stand hosts new Ducati Scrambler Sixty2
• Eight new Ducati bikes enthral the crowds at the Motorcycle Live
• Ducati British Superbike riders, Shane Byrne, Glen Irwin, Danny Buchan, World Superbike star Chaz Davies and MotoGP star Scott Redding meet fans
• Great British Bake-off Chef, Paul Hollywood and McBusted star Matt Willis visit the stand    

The Ducati stand at this year’s Motorcycle live at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham was the place to be for visitors to the show. Ducati had arguably the most to shout about for 2016 with an unprecedented nine new bikes joining the model line-up.

For Superbike fans the 959 Panigale was the highlight, replacing the award winning and sales success that was the 899 Panigale. The new Ducati ‘Super-mid’ gains more power and torque thanks to a new 955cc Superquadro engine as well as improvements to the chassis and fairings.

Although the 959 Panigale may have tried to gain all the attention it was the XDiavel that hogged most of the limelight with its mixture of sophistication and stylish design. Ducati dedicated an important part of its stand to the XDiavel, creating an elegant ‘total black’ room replicating a world that identifies with this bike.

With this fascinating bike Ducati enters the cruiser domain and does so in its own inimitable way, presenting a true cruiser but with all the design, technology and performance one expects from a Ducati thoroughbred. The XDiavel brings together two worlds: the cruiser world - low speeds, relaxed riding and long journeys - and the Ducati world, characterised by Italian style, refined engineering and unparalleled performance.

Ducati enters another new segment in 2016 venturing into the off-road adventure world. The Multistrada 1200 Enduro is a born explorer, designed to be unstoppable on any terrain. Built to withstand the stresses and strains of off-road riding, it carries spoked wheels, 19’’ at the front and 17’’ at the rear, a 30 litre tank and an array of accessories to ensure the possibilities of adventure are endless.

As is now the case the Ducati Scrambler had a dedicated stand to showcase the Scrambler brand and the new Scrambler Sixty2. The Sixty2 with a new 399cc engine doesn't just simply enlarge the range on offer from the new Ducati brand, it opens the way for a new two-wheel market segment, meeting the requirements of those seeking an accessible bike that is easy to handle, has low running costs and is A2 ready but don't want to miss out on the unique Ducati Scrambler spirit.

Other additions to model year 2016 include an updated Hypermotard family with a 937cc Testastretta engine offering 3hp more and 10% more torque as well as being euro 4 compliant. The Monster 1200 range is also expanded with an ‘R’ version offering a 160hp and track-ready handling for those that demand sports performance with the practical appeal of a naked bike.

Visitors to the stand had the chance to meet their race heroes, take selfies and have posters signed. British Superbike riders and Be Wiser PBM team mates Shakey Byrne and Glen Irwin were the first to be guests on the Ducati stand, later joined by MotoGP and OCTO Pramac rider Scott Redding. All three were interviewed by Ducati TriOptions Cup ambassador Niall Mackenzie with each rider taking their chance to pick their favourite bike from the range. Shane Bryne was particularly taken with the XDiavel while Scott Redding, with his eye on gaining his road licence, tried out the Scrambler sixty2. New Ducati and British Superbike rider, Danny Buchan (Lloyds British Moto Rapido) also joined visitors on the stand along with Ducati legend and BT Sport MotoGP commentator Neil Hodgson. Ducati World Superbike rider (Aruba.it Racing) Chaz Davies rounded off the show with his attendance on the final day.

The Ducati brand is always popular with celebrities and Ducati owner, celebrity Chef and star of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ Paul Hollywood was another who was drawn to the XDiavel as was Matt Willis, band member of McBusted who made a special trip with friends to see the bike and visit the Ducati stand.

To see the full Ducati 2016 range visit and find your nearest dealer visit www.ducatiuk.com