A recent survey of nearly 2,000 road users found nearly 80% agreed there should be a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving.
road safety
Speeding fines to rise by up to 50 per cent
The Sentencing Council has confirmed a hike in fines for the most serious speeding offences in England and Wales.
Attractive pedestrians causing young drivers to crash
Research has shown that young British drivers are the most likely in Europe to be distracted by attractive pedestrians.
Motorists support raising driving age to 18
Six out of ten motorists polled agree that raising the driving age to 18 will prevent road accidents.
Volvo to launch reflective LifePaint for cyclists
Volvo is launching its LifePaint reflective spray, aimed at increasing the visibility and safety of cyclists on the road.
It follows a successful limited pilot back in April 2015, and will be available in participating Volvo dealers from 24th October in time for darker nights, when the clocks go back. The reflective spray is designed to react to a car's headlights, alerting drivers to the presence of cyclists in the dark.
The unique illuminating safety paint is invisible by daylight, but in the dark reflects light in the same direction as the light source, shining brightly to illuminate the objects it has been sprayed on. The LifePaint is transparent, can be washed off and can be applied to clothes, shoes, helmets, pushchairs and children's backpacks - even dog leads and collars.
The product, first distributed through six London bike shops, ran out within 24 hours creating massive demand for wider distribution. The inspiration for the paint came from Intellisafe - Volvo's pedestrian and cyclist detection system, enhanced to work in darkness on the all-new Volvo XC90 which was introduced to the UK in June this year. The technology uses a combination of radar sensors and cameras to identify other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists and automatically brake if the driver fails to take the necessary action.
Nick Connor, Managing Director at Volvo Car UK, said: "Every year more than 19,000 cyclists are injured on the UK's roads. At Volvo, we believe that the best way to survive a crash is not to crash at all, and are committed to making the roads a safer place by reducing the number of accidents. "Volvo is a world-leader in safety technology, and we are proud to be extending our reach beyond just those driving our cars. By making cyclists increasingly visible as well as increasing the safety capabilities of our cars, we are doing our utmost to protect everyone on the road."
James Cracknell heads up London Road Safety
The London Road Safety Council has appointed James Cracknell OBE as President of the organisation.
Succeeding outgoing President Nick Ross, James is one of Britain's most successful ever athletes, with two Olympic Gold Medals and six World Championship titles. Since retiring from competitive rowing, James has distinguished himself as a sportsman, athlete, adventurer and broadcaster.
In 2010, during an attempt to cycle, run, row and swim from LA to New York in record time, James was struck by a truck while cycling through Arizona, suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and would have been killed if he wasn't wearing a cycle helmet. Now, five years later and having fought his way back through a long recovery and rehabilitation process, James takes on this new role leading London Road Safety Council into its centenary year (2017).
James Cracknell says: "London Road Safety Council connects the people working on road safety across London, enabling them to share practical ideas and work together to create a safer road system in London. I am proud to be the public face of the organisation and to lead its awareness campaigns across the city I was born in and where still live."
"Having been the victim of a road traffic accident, I know the devastating impact it can have, not only on the victim but on their family and friends. I cycle around London every day and am very aware of the need for all road users, however many wheels they have, to show empathy towards each other rather than antagonism. I plan to ensure this message is heard far and wide during my Presidency."
Councillor Val Clark, Chairman of London Road Safety Council commented: "James Cracknell is one of the most famous athletes in the UK and an inspiration to millions. James knows more than most the impact a serious road traffic incident can have. I cannot think of a better person to lead the organisation into its second century and be our primary brand ambassador."