Motorcyclists, Lorry And Bus Drivers Safety Improvements
The measures - which also strengthen requirements for driving examiners and impact
on the rules for drivers towing trailers - will come in to force on 19 January
2013 as part of new European requirements aimed at improving road safety.
The changes are being implemented by the Department for Transport in conjunction
with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency (DVLA).
The main aspects of the new rules are:
* Motorcyclists - Access to more powerful bikes will be staged subject to
competence, age and previous experience. The minimum age to ride the largest bikes
without previous experience will rise from 21 to 24.
* Licence renewals for bus and lorry drivers - At present, drivers of
medium-sized and large buses and lorries need to renew their licences every five
years once they reach the age of 45. Over 45s also need to demonstrate their
fitness to drive through a full medical report. From 2013, all new or renewed bus
and lorry licences will be renewable every five years. However, drivers under 45
will not require a full medical report and will still only need to renew their
photograph every 10 years. All other drivers and riders will continue to renew
their driving licences every 10 years as is currently the case.
* Driving examiners - Compulsory initial qualification, periodic training and
quality assurance checks will be required for driving examiners. Britain already
fulfils most of these requirements but the new rules will enhance the Driving
Standards Agency's existing arrangements.
* Trailer towing - Under the new rules car drivers will be limited to towing
3.5 tonnes.
DSA chief executive, Rosemary Thew, said:
"Britain already has some of the safest roads in the world. These changes build on
our existing standards and recognise the importance of our examiners'
professionalism. They will also help to ensure that new motorcyclists gain the
right skills and experience before riding bigger bikes."
DVLA chief executive, Simon Tse, said:
"These changes will provide a useful additional reminder for bus and lorry
drivers. They will help to ensure that drivers of these vehicles will continue to
operate to high levels of levels of safety by ensuring that they are fit to
drive."
The European requirements are being introduced in Great Britain in line with
feedback from a public consultation, which included responses from driver and
rider training bodies, trade associations and road safety groups.
Source: Driving Standards Agency
by:James Smith
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