The Western Region Action Group

AGM

Well that time is upon us once again to elect the Officers to lead Western Region MAG through the coming year, and this year the AGM is being hosted by Bristol MAG at their Stapleton Road Venue on the 18th of January 2004.

So come along, not forgetting your membership card of coarse and have your say in the decision-making and future polices of our Region.

M6toll

The beginning of December saw the opening of the M6 toll way. Run by Midland Expressway Limited, who have a fifty-year concession to operate and maintain the toll road. The 27-mile long motorway cost £900million, and skirts Birmingham between Junctions 4 and 11 of the M6; it will also link up with the M42.

This is just the start of road pricing as Alistair Darling has hinted at such road tolls as being the way forward. He said "We are looking at the possibility of road pricing in years to come because we simply can't go on trying to build our way out of it - it would be financially expensive and environmentally damaging."

Tailgaters Warned

Tailgaters have been warned that technology is going to catch them.
The Police will ask the Government to create a specific offence for tailgating, and impose it within two years, as cameras are available to catch motorists tailgating, the offence is expected to carry a £60 fine and points.

20mph Cameras

Cameras are expected to be installed near schools and in residential areas to enforce 20mph zones, the first cameras will be installed in London with other Cities and Towns following suit.
The new restrictions are aimed at reducing the death rate in 30mph areas due to speeding, many of which are children. Road Safety Experts claim cameras are more effective at enforcing the lower speeds.

Police Targets

Speed traps are to be tightened to catch more speeders.
Barmy Brunstrom wants the rules restricting cameras to blackspots scrapped, and that tickets handed out to be tripled. He also wants the tolerance of 10% plus 2mph to be cut.
Meanwhile the Treasury has admitted that they have received £5.5million from fines. So is the Treasury putting pressure on the police to fine more motorists.

Blitz on Uninsured

The 1 million uninsured motorists are to be targeted, but once these people are caught in next to no time they are back on the road, it is not uncommon for these people to be caught several times, so is any blitz going to be all that effective.
Because of uninsured drivers premiums are on average £30 dearer.

Helmet Cameras

Police are to try out tiny cameras in their traditional police helmets.
The ‘Helmet Cam’ is to be used to provide evidence to secure convictions and protect officers.
These devices can also be fitted to police motorcycle helmets and the collars of dogs. An officer can trigger the recording of any information for future use.
One wonders if these camera helmets will have to be painted yellow?

Motorcycle Security

North Somerset Police issued this advise in their fact sheet.
Invest in a secure locking devise (shackle lock or strong chain and padlock) for the wheel of the bike.
Fit an alarm, you can buy one from DIY or bike shops Park in a well lit parking place, securing your bike to an immovable object or another bike.
Invest in a cover for the bike as it reduces temptation.
At home, secure your bike to a locking post, inside a garage or shed if available.
Have your bike coded as it deters thieves and makes it harder to dispose of. Data tag is a worthwhile investment for high value vehicles.
Basically they are saying Lock It Or Loose It.

Five Years For U-turn

A company driver has started a five-year jail sentence for an illegal u-turn that killed a motorcyclist.
The driver had been on his mobile phone and ignored 15 road signs on a dual carriageway when he turned into the path of the motorcyclist, a father of two children.
Will the new laws prevent this from happening again, somehow this seems doubtful, as motorists are still to be seen using mobile phones while driving.

Duk Dik

Well Easter is not far off now, and Paul of Glos MAG will require people to help and to marshal, so make yourselves available the more volunteers there are the less each will have to do.
This is a don’t miss rally, so if you can help, or marshal let either Paul or your committee know.

Election Jitters

No sooner than the Conservatives announce their plans to " Curb speed cameras " than Labour follow suit.
The Tories want to drop penalty points for speeding except in certain circumstances and just fine speeders. This is in response to the steadily growing numbers of motorists who are loosing their licences due to speeding infractions.
Now Labour have done a U-turn, and said they will look at the Tories plan, they are also trying to distance themselves from the idea that cameras are just about money, as they are writing to Councils and the Police Forces to insure cameras are used only at locations for safety reasons.
So are we seeing the first signs of pre-election jitters, are they starting to realise that a sizable amount of the electorate have been alienated.
With this in mind, it is time for all MAG members to start reminding their MPs that BIKERS ARE VOTERS.
The Elections are only a couple of years away so start preparing NOW.

Events

18th Jan, Western MAG AGM The Wagon & Horses, Stapleton Rd, Bristol, 1:00 pm

23-25th Jan, Mad Cow Rally.
BSE MAG, Bury St Edmunds Info 01440 820 965

7th Feb, Fred Hill Memorial Run, Thames Valley MAG.
Info 0870 774 3542.

The Motorcycle Action Group accepts no responsibility for the content of this publication and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or MAG.
The Troll is available at very competitive rates, for general looming and lurking under bridges, toll gathering and goat herding a speciality Happy New Year to all my readers.
You can read can’t you?