Figures obtained by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) have found that, over the last decade, speeding is still the biggest motoring-related offence where the defendant is found guilty in court.

And the numbers of those found guilty have risen sharply in the past 12 months – from 115,935 to 148,426, an increase of 28% which is the highest number since 2005. The 2014 figures were 2% greater than 2004 (reference 1).

The next highest offence where defendants were found guilty was vehicle insurance-related crimes, although the percentage has fallen dramatically since 2004.

Some 118,254 people were found guilty in court of this, which is 7% up on 2013 but 84% down on a decade ago, when 218,142 were found guilty.

The figures, obtained by the IAM from the Ministry of Justice, also show that vehicle registration and excise duty offences and driving with alcohol in the blood above the legal limit are both offences that have fallen in huge numbers in the past ten years.

The top five list of offences where offenders are found guilty in court is as follows:

Offence/2004/2013/2014/% change (one year)/%change (10 year)

1.Speed limit offences/146,161/115,935/148,426/28%/2%

2.Vehicle insurance offences/218,142/110,843/118,254/7%/-84%

3.Failing to supply information as to identity of driver when required/not applicable/50,687/54,372/7%/not applicable

4.Vehicle registration and excise licence offences/192,959/55,182/46,636/-15%/-314%

5.Driving with alcohol in the blood above the prescribed limit/74,055/40,683/37,853/-7%/-96%

Other offences with a large number of guilty verdicts other than speeding are neglecting road regulations at 16,951 in 2014 (up 2% from 2013), using or causing others to use a mobile phone whilst driving at 16,025 (down 8% from 2013) and driving licence-related offences at 15,982 (down 10% from 2013).

New offences such as causing serious injury by dangerous driving are also showing signs of more widespread use which reflects the life changing nature of these crimes.

Sarah Sillars, IAM Chief Executive Officer, said: “We can see from these figures that as the UK comes out of recession traffic levels have risen, speeding appears to be becoming more prevalent and regrettably casualties are rising again. The government and police forces cannot afford to take their eye off the ball and more visible policing is, in our view, the key way to ensure that people don’t think they can get away with speeding.

“In addition local campaigns must remain high-profile to make sure drivers don’t get complacent, or forget that speed can kill.”

According to the government’s THINK! campaign, speed is “one of the main factors in fatal road accidents”. In 2013, 3,064 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes where speed was a factor.

They added that the risk of death is approximately four times higher when a pedestrian is hit at 40mph than at 30mph (reference 2).

Sarah added: “On a positive note, the joining up of databases across agencies and the increased use of number plate recognition cameras means some motoring crimes have fallen in big numbers.”

As part of the build up to Motorcycle Live 2015, which comes alive at The NEC, Birmingham on 28 November, 2015 World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea has described the moment he first came alive on a motorcycle.

Fresh from his 2015 SBK title win, Kawasaki rider Rea reveals that his passion for motorcycling actually began on the dirt rather than the race track and at the tender age of just three years old, when his father put him on a motocross bike.

Luckily for race fans around the world, Rea quickly fell in love with all types of two-wheel riding and his undeniable skill has seen him rise to World Champion. To view the video click here.

Motorcycle Live 2015 will run from 28 November to 6 December. Advance tickets are on sale now, at just £17.50 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids aged 10 and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20.50 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a choice of Oxford neck wear worth £15. To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

The National Motorcycle Museum had a particularly busy fortnight at this year’s Classic TT Festival, taking part in various high profile activities both on and off the track.

They really did take the museum to the people with no less than 32 Norton’s from every era being transported from the collection over to the island for our huge “pop up” museum display. From 1906 through to the 1990s, a Norton race machine from every decade of the last century was displayed in what many visitors described as “the best display ever seen in a TT paddock”.

One of the biggest highlights for many was the “Norton - The Rotary Years” – Parade.

Whilst individual Norton rotary race bikes have appeared in parade laps around the Mountain Course - and, of course featured in race wins and podiums - never before had so many appeared at one time on the island. A sunny Saturday on 29/08/15 saw no less than 12 of the revolutionary machines, all owned by the National Motorcycle Museum, take to the 37.73-mile course.

A whole host of famous names had the honour of taking part including some of the bike’s original riders including Trevor Nation, Steve Cull & Ian Simpson. Other riders included William and Michael Dunlop, Michael Rutter and Jamie Whitham.

“The White Charger” that the late Steve Hislop famously rode to victory in the 1992 Senior was ridden by 23-time TT Race winner John McGuinness resplendent in replica Hislop leathers & helmet!

Sunday 30/08/15 saw many of the museum’s ex-works rotary Norton’s appear once again on the short circuit at the Festival of Jurby with the likes of McGuinness, Rutter & Cull onboard.

Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing had a challenging week with team rider William Dunlop posting a DNF in the F1 race on the team’s rotary Norton race machine. Museum Director James Hewing commented: “Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing’s entry to run a Norton rotary race machine in the F1 event was a huge challenge and we are obviously disappointed not to have finished. William Dunlop and the whole team worked tirelessly all week with William declaring the bike ‘wicked fast’. Everyone knows that there is no tougher place to go racing and feedback from race fans has been really positive”.

The Museum film crew has created four short films from the event which include the paddock “pop up” museum, the rotary parade, the festival of Jurby and Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing. All these films will be available to view from early October on the museum’s new website www.thenmm.co.uk

It is time to tell a new story for Ducati. The story about to begin is refined, elegant and mysterious. And it is heading towards a new universe, as yet unexplored by the Company. A universe which will come to life on November 16, the date we will finally unveil all the innovations ready for 2016.

The story begins with a project called “This is Black” and is developed across three different forms of expression: a multimedia installation, video mapping and two unpublished musical tracks. The project kicks off locally: as part of the Bologna Design Week (from 30 September to 3 October) and at the international electronic music and digital arts event, roBOt Festival (Bologna, 7 to 10 October).

A new story to tell, which can be followed on the www.ducati.com website and on our social channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fans can join the conversation regarding the new story using the #xducati hashtag.

The Savannah Way is Australia's ultimate adventure ride along the northern edge of the continent. From the Coral Sea to the Indian Ocean this 21 day adventure motorcycle tour encompasses unbelievable dirt riding that ventures across a staggering four world heritage areas and offers a chance to experience some of the finest off-road routes in Australia all whilst under the expert guidance of Dakar legend Simon Pavey and his Off Road Skills team.

After an outstanding research trip with Simon riding his 2009 Dakar BMW X-Challenge from Cairns to Broome, Compass Expeditions, part of the BikeRoundOz Group, are very excited to announce the inaugural Savannah Way tour departing Cairns August 1st 2016.

“This is an incredible ride that needs to be shouted from the mountaintops,” said an excited Simon Pavey after yet another day finding tracks that haven’t been used for 30 years, (according to locals), “this certainly isn’t a wide open flat dirt track tour of Australia,” continues Simon.

Supporting Simon on the research trip was Compass Expeditions co-founder Mick McDonald “I cant believe some of the tracks Simon has found, not super technical or enduro, but unused and some through private cattle stations and some we made ourselves” says Mick, “we do a lot of rides around the world but this is going to be one out of the box” continues Mick.

Accommodation is a mix of camping and some of the best hotels available at stunning locations. Riding is incredible with each day having a “Special” section in it. A Qualified chef will accompany the group preparing superb lunches and dinners when camping while Simon will lead the ride on his BMW X-Challenge that he raced in the 2009 Dakar, one of 10 Dakar’s Simon has raced in.

“We have truly found some incredible riding through some beautiful and very remote regions of Australia” says Mick; “this can only be done by very thorough research and navigational skills something that is paramount when competing in the Dakar,” continues Mick.

Bike Transport to Cairns and from Broome has been arranged, for those wishing to bring their own bikes, for a one off flat fee no matter where you live in Australia, (except Tasmania), our Tassie clients will need to get their bikes to Melbourne where Compass shall take care of the rest.

Tour information

www.compassexpeditions.com