theroad@mag-uk.org PO Box 18519 London E11 4HF Unfair sentencing


The following is taken from a letter to MP Sajid Javid, the MP for Bromsgrove, from his constituent Phil Lum.


The following examples illustrate the inconsistency in sentencing experienced by motorcyclists in contrast to the sentencing of motorists.


Andrew Osborne, 29, biker. Rode at 157mph in a 60mph zone in 2003 – no casualties. Convicted of dangerous driving – sentenced to 28 days in jail, banned for two years and made to re-take the riding test.


John McSwayde 47, car driver. Drove at 127mph with his seven year old daughter as a passenger in a 70mph zone in 2009 – no casualties. Convicted of speeding – banned for six months.


Robert Bennett 47, biker. Rode at 122 mph in a 60mph zone with his 14 year old son as pillion – no casualties. Convicted of dangerous driving – jailed for six months, banned for 18 months and made to re-take test.


Michael Frost 58, car driver. Reversed to take a turning he’d missed and pulled across a biker’s path – biker fatally injured. Sentenced to 200 hours of community service, given a suspended jail sentence of 51 weeks, and banned from driving for two years. Neil Purves 27, biker. Rode at 166mph in a 60mph zone in 2009 – no casualties. Convicted of dangerous driving and sentenced to nine months in jail and banned for five years. Lord Ahmed 51, car driver. Crashed into a stationary car on the M1 after texting at the wheel in 2007 – resulting in one death. Convicted of dangerous driving, sentenced to 16 days in jail and banned for one year. There are many more examples of such unfairness which I could provide evidence of. I don’t condone breaking the law, but at least there should be fairness in sentencing in our courts. Phil Lum, Bromsgrove MAG


Ed, Please do send more examples Phil, It would be helpful if we could get the dates and the names of courts and as much detail as possible. It is generally unsafe territory to assume that we know as much as the sentencing magistrates but the examples you provide look compelling and certainly pose some serious questions. If MAG can build a significant body of evidence illustrating inconsistency in sentencing policy then we may well have the ammunition for a powerful and long overdue campaign. If the law is to have credibility then sentencing needs to be consistent.


Helpful modifications


I added a front mudguard extension to my bike, as Suzuki in their wisdom provided me with a totally ineffective mudguard, so my oil cooler and downpipes get covered in dirt. I also changed my headlight bulb to one that actually illuminates the road as the bike manufacturer seems to think we all live in floodlit cities. Neither of these things would be permitted if the EU get their way with their anti-tamper proposals. The only danger from my


modification is that I scratched the back of my hand getting the bulb in! Rory Wilson


Full face in cars


My view is that all car/van/truck/bus drivers should have to wear full-face helmets as apparently the majority of fatal injuries to drivers are from head injuries.


Such a proposal would cause an outcry of course and if my proposed law is successful it would clear a lot of them off the roads – particularly if they don't want to mess up their blue rinses. To coin a phrase: ‘the wearing of helmets in all motor vehicles would be a major contribution to road safety.’ eh? Ronald T. Spangler RN (retired)


Cyclists concerns? You reported in issue 32 that, The Cycle Touring Club (CTC) is concerned that cyclists and pedestrians are more at risk from PTWs than they are from cars. The facts simply do not support this view. Every year the government publishes a report about the road casualties in the previous year. (Download rrcgb2009). The reported two-vehicle accidents show that in 2009 cyclists collided with other cyclists 79 times, with motorcycles 267 times, with cars 14,008 times, with light goods vehicles 911 times and with heavy goods vehicles 271 times. Where do you think the greatest risk comes from? These are only the accidents reported to the police. There could be a lot more minor ones. By the way, there were 458 reports of cyclists having single-vehicle accidents. (A lot more than there were collisions with motorcycles). John Osborn


Dangerous space


I lived in Norwich about five years ago and saw a lot of bad driving. I put it down to drivers thinking that because there’s a lot of open space in Norfolk, they are unlikely to meet much traffic, so it doesn't matter how they drive. If, however, it seems driving instructors are playing their part, they have a lot to answer for because it appears nothing's changed. Weazle


Fuel additives


There were two letters in the last edition of The Road referring to the use of alcohol in motor fuels in the past and insisting that we need not worry as there was not a problem in those days and so there won’t be now.


There are problems with storage and with the fuel systems. I’m no expert but the requirement to change the composition of motor fuel to contain up to 10% ethanol has caused great consternation in the motor vehicle, aviation and maritime worlds.


I also work with the Light Aircraft Association whose expert, Barry Plumb, wrote the following to a colleague asking for information on the issue of ethanol in aviation. Just substitute motorcycle use for aviation.


Barry is also a very keen biker and a member


of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club. As to older vehicles, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) are really concerned about the problem, as most old machines have fuel systems constructed from the incompatible materials already known about. The issues regarding storage, growth of microbes (in diesel containing ethanol), water absorption, icing and vapour locks are also problematic. The DfT suggests that vehicles with carburettors will soon disappear. Any vehicle over 10 years of age is at risk from these fuel additives.


Regarding glass fibre reinforced petrol tanks; it depends on the resin used. A motorcycle fuel tank constructed using polyester or epoxy, to bond glass fibre that is not lined with sealant that is also ethanol proof, could turn to jelly. Correspondents to The ROAD need to get their collective heads out of the sand and see the huge amount of work going on to try and compensate for this ridiculous directive from the EU. As overpopulated Europe struggles to find enough land for food, it is likely that third world countries will be forced to grow fuel for us, to the detriment of their people. The only good thing in the future is that at least we will have the fuel to go and look for the few places left growing food! John L Broad Member of the Ariel & BMW OC, MAG & BMF, Oxon


The Eye of The Beholder (Re: Kevin Williams’ Staying Alive column) Whilst I often find Kevin's rider tips handy and informative, I find his observations on advanced riding a little confusing. I have just started off with the IAM and done a few assessment sessions and not once have I heard, been shown, or read anything about ‘a slow riding time- wasting’ routine when approaching a red traffic light. One of the prerequisites of advanced riding is to be fully aware of what is going on around you at all times. Perhaps Kevin’s trainee has badly misinterpreted something he has been told? It looks like it to me.


The only time a wide cornering line would be taken would be on a left hand bend with no oncoming traffic, if there was something coming, you would maintain a safe position, your ‘safety bubble,’ in the centre of your lane. A right hand bend would see you across to the left to open up your view of the corner. The only time you would straightline a roundabout would be if there were no other traffic on it, otherwise you would follow normal highway code guidance. I’m not sure about the observation on filtering on cross hatched area’s either, if there is a broken line to the edge of the hatched area and it’s not filled in with orange there is nothing to stop you, so long as you are doing it safely and slowly, at least that’s my understanding of things, I may be wrong, I hope not. Mark Rodger, East Yorkshire


Good Value


Just started reading your latest edition of The ROAD, and as with all the previous issues, I find it’s better value as a readable mag than all the


The ROAD 23


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