MSA GB Newslink July

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
‘‘
Government urged to
‘rethink’ e-scooter rules
More attention has to be
given to the overall drive of
the pupil on test... we need
more communication between
examiners and ADIs about the
ability of the pupil
‘‘
How can we improve driver testing/
training in one move?
I feel that perhaps more attention has
to be given to the overall drive of a pupil
on a test. I think it is currently rather
harsh; you can have a pupil with no
minors or just a very few, return to the
test centre with one major fault and
therefore a fail, yet you can have a pupil
return with up to 15 minors and still
pass!
I think there has to be more
communication between examiners and
instructors regarding the ability of pupil
presented for test.
What keeps you awake at night?
Usually my partner Jim snoring!
No one is the finished article. What do
you do to keep on top of the game?
I take the attitude that I must always
strive to be better and always give. Every
day is a learning day.
What’s the daftest /most dangerous
thing that’s ever happened to you while
teaching?
Daftest moment would have to be a
pupil who came out for his lesson on
Halloween dressed in a HotDog outfit!
Most dangerous would be when I was on
a lesson and we were met by two
rampaging cows on a country road.
It gets worse: somewhat ironically, my
biggest fear in life are cows! It wasn’t a
good day at the office!
When are you at your happiest?
I’m at my happiest probably on the
golf course with my partner Jim
somewhere in Argyll.
#Carradale/Machrihanish
What film, music or show gives you
most pleasure?
I am a great lover of Scottish music.
Bands such as Tide Lines, Skippinish
and Skerryvore always make me smile.
Following the extension of its rental
e-scooter trials, the Government has
been urged to introduce ‘more robust
rule enforcement and safety
measures’.
The trials, which got underway in
July 2020, are designed to help the
Government assess the benefits of
e-scooters – in particular their impact
on public space, motor traffic, the
environment and safety.
To date, approximately 50 towns
and cities across the UK have
launched e-scooter rental schemes,
which were initially due to end in
August this year.
However, the decision was recently
made to extend them until spring
2022.
The National Accident Helpline says
without putting adequate safety and
rule enforcement measures in place,
the trials ‘put the public at risk’.
It is calling for the speed limit of the
devices to be reduced from 15.5mph
to 12.5mph and for other measures
such as the legal requirement of
helmets.
The National Accident Helpline is
also raising the issue of the illegal use
of privately-owned e-scooters.
It points to statistics from cycling
retailer Halfords, which show sales of
privately-owned e-scooters have risen
by 184 per cent.
Jonathan White, legal and
compliance director of National
Accident Helpline, said: “E-scooters
are seen as an attractive option in
helping the nation to embrace more
environmentally friendly transport
options.
“However, introducing these
schemes without putting adequate
safety and rule enforcement measures
in place puts the public at risk.
“With e-scooter trials being
extended and private sales growing,
we would ask that the Government
rethinks its recommendation and
ensures there is a legal requirement in
place to wear appropriate safety
protection, such as cycle helmets,
when operating e-scooters.
“We believe the speed limit should
also be reduced to 12.5mph, as is the
case in Germany.
“Other new safety initiatives in the
trial areas could include specific
e-scooter routes or roads, usage
curfews, and even artificial noise
devices that issue audible alerts to
pedestrians.”
‘‘
The Government needs to
rethink its strategy and include
a legal requirement to wear
appropriate safety protection,
such as cycle helmets
‘‘
NEWSLINK n JULY 2021
37