[visordown.com] - IAM New motorcycle licence rules could have backfired

[Ninjette Newsbot]

NEW bike licence rules could have 'backfired' by encouraging people to remain leaners instead of taking a bike test, the Institute of Advanced Motorists has said.

The IAM says figures showing a drastic decline in under-19s taking a test are 'cause for concern' because deaths have also risen since new licence rules were introduced.

Under the new rules, introduced in January last year, riders aged under 19 cannot ride anything bigger than a 125 even if they pass a motorcycle test. Before the rule change they could get a licence for a bigger bike by taking a test.

Government figures released last week show that in the year 2012-2013, 3,333 18-year-olds completed the practical motorcycle test while in 2013-2014 only 216 did.

Separate figures show rider deaths rose slightly, by 1% in 2013 compared to the previous year, while all motorcycle casualties fell 3%.

Tim Shallcross, the IAM's Head of Technical Policy, said: 'That, coupled with the huge fall in people taking the test, indicates there is some cause for concern.

'So we would certainly expect the Driving Standards Agency to be monitoring this to see whether the new rules, which were intended to improve safety, are in fact dissuading people from taking their test.

'If it turns out that they are then it’s backfired and it needs to be looked at again.'

A DSA spokesman said: 'The changes were introduced as part of European legislation'.



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