6 May 2011
Jean Baptist Van Spyk (known as John) was killed as he travelled on the C316 (known as Mareham Lane) Sleaford to Threekingham on 5th November 2010. The car that struck John, as he rode his motorcycle, was driven by Ben Burrows as he overtook moving traffic on that road.Ben Burrows will appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday 9th May 2011 charged with causing Johns death by careless driving.
Emma Van Spyk, Johns’ mother, bears Ben Burrows no malice and does not wish to see this young man sent to prison. She has a statement prepared if the case against Ben Burrows is concluded.
Emma is selling the Manor House which she and her other children live in because her next eldest child will have to make the same journey when he attends the 6th Form in Sleaford.
19 January 2011
Danger – Pot HolesLincolnshire Road Safety Partnership is concerned that as riders start to knock the dust off their pride and joy and start to venture out on the roads the amount of potholes on the road, after the severe winter, pose a significant danger to the rider. Not only that, but the 'repaired' pot holes can be an issue as well, with raised lumps and flaking edges to the repair can catch even the most experienced rider out.
Some councils are actively tackling the pothole problem, but the repair may not be suitable for it to be completely safe for the motorcyclist. Most of the potholes appear on the line a rider would take into a bend or on the exit where the rider is already committed. We would remind all riders, at whatever level they think they are, to take extreme caution when getting back out on the road. Please do not think as the media stop talking about pot holes that the problem is resolved, with the amount of holes still appearing and the lack of money in budgets to carry out repairs, this will remain a danger for the foreseeable future.
1 December 2010
Christmas 2010 Drink – Drug DrivingIn December 2009 nearly 6,000 people were tested at the roadside for drink or drug driving. 117 of these tested positive. Contrary to popular belief, any vehicle can be stopped at any time, day or night. Police officers do not have to have a reason.
The body absorbs alcohol and dissipates at different rates and makes no allowance for age or gender. Dependent on how much you drink and the time at which you attempt to drive is the only factor which will determine whether you are fit to drive.
Each unit of alcohol takes 1 hour to dissipate and this process may not start until 2 hours after you have stopped drinking if you have eaten heartily.
5 strong drinks may equate to 10 units and if you have stopped at midnight it may be midday before you are completely fit to drive. Police officers will carry out ‘Field Impairment Tests’ on those suspected of drug driving and along with drink drivers will be arrested at the roadside for further testing.
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership reminds everyone they have a responsibility when behind the wheel to ensure they are fit to do so. Impairment through drink or drugs carries severe penalties for those convicted and those who refuse testing will suffer the same penalties through the Courts. Your conviction will remain on your license for 11 years, you will be banned for a minimum of 12 months and should you kill someone whilst under the influence of drink or drugs you could go to prison for 14 years.
John Siddle states : ‘Driving whilst under the influence is viewed socially unacceptable as well as being illegal, information from the public in Lincolnshire helps us to target those individuals who feel they are above the law. Offenders risk losing their job, home and livelihood just for a good night out. In the past year 31 people have died or were seriously injured in collisions were drink or drugs were a contributory factor’.
‘For those who enjoy the festive season, we ask you to make provision to travel by nominating a designated driver or pre-arranging a taxi home’.
Given the amount of time it takes for alcohol to go through the body you should always ask yourself: Are you fit to drive to work or drop the children at school?
The British Motorcycle Federation Show takes place from 17 to 19 September 2010. This is known as the ‘Tail End Show’ of the season. With an expected 20,000 visitors to the show Lincolnshire Police will be increasing their presence on the roads of Lincolnshire.
Lincolnshire is, for the first time, hosting the British Motorcycle Federation show at the Lincolnshire Showground. Over 20,000 visitors are expected to visit over the weekend to enjoy an array of events staged in the main arena, 130 trade stands, Stunt rider Jason Smythe, motorcycle display team Bolddog Lings and World Superbike rider and musician James Toseland will be entertaining the crowd on Saturday night with his band Crash.
Lincolnshire, Humberside and South Yorkshire Police will have an increased presence on the roads in Lincolnshire and major trunk roads approaching the County. Operation Stealth is still ongoing and officers will be on the lookout for motorcyclists and car drivers who break the law.
John Siddle of Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership says ‘We welcome such a prestigious event to Lincolnshire and do not foresee and major problems with traffic to and from the event however, with an increase in two wheeled traffic we need to be more vigilant when driving our cars and look out for motorcyclists. In turn, motorcyclists should have their lights on, wear high visibility clothing and obey the speed limits. Lincolnshire has great roads for the motorcyclist to enjoy but we remind them all to Stay Safe and Stay Alive!
Drink and Drug Driving Review
The government-commissioned ‘Report of the Review of Drink and Drug Driving Law’ by Sir Peter North has been made public today. If the government choose to adopt the findings, it may have a massive reduction in road casualties.
The report recommends reducing the drink drive limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. This would bring the UK in line with the majority of Europe.
Sir Peter makes 51 recommendations about both drink and drug driving, which include reforming the penalties system for drink driving offences and improving enforcement of the legislation.
The continuation of a minimum 12 month disqualification is recommended, as this is regarded as a major deterrent from committing a drink driving offence.
He said, “The reformed driver training and testing regime, including the new pre-driver qualification, should give greater emphasis to the dangers of drink and drug driving”. Drivers in the 17–24 age groups are responsible for 41% of all KSI casualties in drink driving collisions.
Another recommendation in the report is that the drinks and hospitalities industries should promote and encourage practices to discourage drivers from drinking any alcohol. The report concludes that up to 168 lives could potentially be saved in the first year if the new limit was implemented.
The recommendation for custody nurses to be trained to identify whether drugs may have been taken by a driver and to take blood samples will help tackle what seems to be a growing problem and will support the use of Field Impairment Testing for drugs amongst police forces.
Alison Garfoot of Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme said, “The recommendations made by Sir Peter are far reaching and, if implemented, may make a significant reduction in the amount of drink drive offences committed in our region and therefore reduce the amount of fatalities caused by drinking and driving on our roads.”
Sgt Chris Dennett of the Lincolnshire Police Collision Investigation Team said, “Collisions caused by drink or drug driving continue to blight the lives of the people of Lincolnshire, if the measures proposed are implemented we believe it will significantly improve the safety of all road users. By lowering the limit and removing the statutory option of drivers to give a blood sample and allowing frontline officers back onto the streets where they are most effective can only be a good thing.”
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Issues Safety Warning on Agricultural Vehicles
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership encourages road users to be patient when negotiating large, slow moving agricultural vehicles. We live in a large rural area and at this time of year with an increasing amount of traffic on our roads these vehicles potentially present a significant danger.
Road users should consider the following:
Is your approach speed appropriate, adjust your speed progressively.
A driver of a large cumbersome load may not have seen your approach.
If the vehicle has an escort vehicle, he may be just in front and obscured from you by the load.
Stay well back so you can see past the vehicle and make your pass safely.
The drivers of large agricultural vehicles have their part to play in keeping the roads safe too by:
Making sure the vehicle load is safe and secure.
Beacons and vehicle lights are working and clear of mud and debris.
Escort vehicles are used when required by law.
Carrying out periodic stops to assist traffic flow.
The harvest season is in progress and to reduce the likelihood of serious incidents occurring Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership wants to encourage awareness of large slow moving farm vehicles.