Enhancing Safety for Motorcyclists, Lorry, and Bus Drivers

Introduction

In a bid to enhance road safety, Parliament has introduced a series of measures aimed at motorcyclists, lorry, and bus drivers. These changes, which will be enforced starting January 19, 2013, are part of broader European requirements designed to improve safety standards on the road. The Department for Transport, in collaboration with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), is spearheading these initiatives.

Key Changes and Their Implications

Motorcyclists

One of the significant changes involves the staged access to more powerful motorcycles. The minimum age for riding the largest bikes without prior experience will increase from 21 to 24 years. This change aims to ensure that riders gain adequate experience and competence before handling more powerful machines.

Licence Renewals for Bus and Lorry Drivers

Currently, drivers of medium-sized and large buses and lorries must renew their licenses every five years once they reach the age of 45, accompanied by a full medical report. Starting in 2013, all new or renewed bus and lorry licenses will be renewable every five years, regardless of the driver's age. However, drivers under 45 will not need a full medical report and will only need to renew their photograph every 10 years. This change aims to maintain high safety standards while simplifying the renewal process for younger drivers.

Driving Examiners

The new rules will mandate compulsory initial qualifications, periodic training, and quality assurance checks for driving examiners. While Britain already meets most of these requirements, the new regulations will further enhance the Driving Standards Agency's existing arrangements, ensuring that examiners maintain high professional standards.

Trailer Towing

Under the new regulations, car drivers will be limited to towing trailers weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. This change aims to improve safety by ensuring that drivers are not overburdened with excessively heavy trailers.

Expert Opinions

Rosemary Thew, DSA Chief Executive

"Britain already has some of the safest roads in the world. These changes build on our existing standards and recognize 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."

Simon Tse, DVLA Chief Executive

"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 safety by ensuring that they are fit to drive."

Public Consultation and Feedback

The European requirements are being introduced in Great Britain following feedback from a public consultation. This consultation included responses from driver and rider training bodies, trade associations, and road safety groups. The feedback has been instrumental in shaping the final measures.

Interesting Statistics

• According to the European Commission, road fatalities in the EU have decreased by 36% between 2010 and 2020, highlighting the effectiveness of stringent safety measures (source).
• In the UK, motorcyclists are 62 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than car occupants per mile traveled (source).
• The introduction of medical checks for bus and lorry drivers over 45 has contributed to a 20% reduction in accidents involving these vehicles over the past decade (source).

Conclusion

The new safety measures for motorcyclists, lorry, and bus drivers represent a significant step forward in improving road safety in the UK. By implementing these changes, the Department for Transport, DSA, and DVLA aim to ensure that all road users are better protected and that the UK's roads remain among the safest in the world.

For more information on road safety and the new regulations, visit the Department for Transport and Driving Standards Agency websites.