CRASH Cards

CRASH Card is a scheme in which motorcyclists place a card inside their crash helmet as a medic alert. The details which the rider has written on the card provide vital information for attending ambulance crews if the motorcyclist is injured in an road traffic collision. Saving valuable time and helping treatment especially if the rider is either unconscious or unable to communicate.

This scheme, which has been in use for nearly two years in some parts of England, was created by the committee of the Ambulance Motorcycle Club a group of experienced Paramedics and ambulance staff who are passionate about motorcycling.

The card also has a mnemonic “CRASH” which gives helpful advice if a rider comes across a road traffic collision. Ian Burrell Chairman Ambulance Motorcycle Club comments:  “We know that riders are more likely than any other road user to stop at the scene of an accident and offer to help.  CRASH is an excellent way of helping the emergency services get the right resources to the scene as quickly as possible and we hope riders who stop to help will use their own card to provide information when calling 999.”

Hayden Newton, Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Service, is delighted to be backing the initiative and being a keen biker himself said “I am thrilled that the ambulance service is supporting such an excellent initiative, both from a professional point of view and as a keen motorcyclist myself.”

The CRASH card is accompanied by an explanatory letter which contains a self adhesive green dot. The letter explains that riders should affix the dot to the right hand side of their helmets or visor to help alert the attending medical staff to the presence of the card.

The letter also shows how to fill out the card and explains that only trained professionals should remove an injured rider’s crash helmet.

The cards are available at a variety of bike related events throughout the year, for information visit :

www.ambulancemotorcycleclub.150m.com

The scheme recently won the Prince Michael Road Safety Award for 2011, the same award the Durham BikeWise won in 2009.

Reduction in Red Tape for Drivers announced by DfT.

Thanks for Paul Dowson for bringing this press release to our attention:

Drivers are to be released from reams of red tape currently required by government, Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced today.

As a result of the Road Transport Red Tape Challenge – the government wide process to get rid of unnecessary, burdensome and overcomplicated regulation - the Department for Transport is:

• Scrapping the regulation requiring motorists to hold a paper counterpart to their driving licence by 2015 – saving drivers up to £8m.
• Improving the regulation surrounding the notification process for vehicles that are not in use on the road (Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN). Once drivers have notified the DVLA that their vehicle is SORN, they will no longer have the burden of annual SORN renewal.
• Only issuing hard-copies of V5C vehicle registration certificates for fleet operators when needed, with the potential to be rolled out to private motorists.
• Introducing a limited exemption from drivers’ hours rules so that those who also drive as Territorial Army reservists in their own time can continue to do so.

Following a vigorous process of challenge, both by the public and within Whitehall, a total of 142 road transport regulations will now be scrapped or improved.

Justine Greening said;

“Motorists shouldn’t have to keep numerous bits of paper just to prove they can drive and have bought insurance – we live in digital age and we need to embrace that.

“Reducing the number of rules and regulations in our life is absolutely vital to removing barriers to economic growth and increasing individual freedoms. This whole process just proves that there’s so much sitting on our statute books that at the very least needs a good spring clean or can be scrapped entirely.”

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:

“I'm delighted that so many motoring regulations will be scrapped or improved, particularly those that affect business.

“The Red Tape Challenge has built up real momentum since it was launched in April. Overall, of over 1200 regulations considered so far, we have agreed to scrap or improve well over 50 per cent.

“We have already published regulations covering 12 themes, and there are 13 themes to come, so there remains huge scope for reducing the burden of regulation on business and individuals even further.”

Other proposed changes to road transport regulations include:

• Removing the need for an insurance certificate. The Department for Transport will work with the insurance industry on removing the need for motorists to have to hold an insurance certificate.
• Abolishing the requirement for drivers to prove they have insurance when applying for tax meaning 600000 more people will be able to tax their car online. This has been made possible by new checks of existing databases for insurance under new Continuous Insurance Enforcement rules. The DVLA’s records are compared regularly with the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to identify registered keepers of vehicles that appear to have no insurance.
• We will look at experience in other countries on driver Certificates of Professional Competence (CPC) - the qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. In particular, to see if we could remove the need for some sectors, such as farmers who drive stock to market, from needing a CPC.
• Local Authorities will now have to ensure business interests are properly considered as part of any future proposed Workplace Parking Levy scheme. They must show they have properly and effectively consulted local businesses, have addressed any proper concerns raised and secured support from the local business community.
• Abolishing the regulations on the treatment of lost property on buses. Bus companies currently have to wait 48 hours before they can throw away perishable items left on the bus.

Congratulations!

Making yet another guest appearance on the DAM Blog, Ali Bonar was kind enough to present IAM certificates to DAM's latest successful members, Dave Trotter and Ross McKenzie.

Thanks to all our Observers for their tireless work in coaching the associates.

DAM 2011 AGM

The DAM Annual General Meeting was a well attended event on 29th November at the Bowburn Hall Hotel.


The formalities (Committee officers reports, election of new officers etc) was carried out in good time enabling the members attending to avail themselves of the buffet and make the most of the socialising opportunity.


As in previous years, DAM has received financial support from Durham Police (this is in addition to the extensive support we receive for training & support) to the tune of a £500 donation from the BikeWise proceeds.


Here is a picture of Ali Bonar (again!) presenting the cheque to out very pleased treasurer, Don Russell.

   
DAM annual subscriptions remain at the current level (only £5.00 per year) the the welcome donation from BikeWise enables us to continue to keep the subs at this level whilst maintaining our high standards of social and training activities.

Latest congratulations.

Congratulations to our latest test passes, Dave Trotter and Andrew Watson.

Andrew was present at the recent social evening and was presented with his IAM Certificate by PC Ali Bonar before her presentation to the Club.

Micro climates.

At this time of year, look out for for micro climates which can cause frost and wet patches to linger in some areas after they have disappeared elsewhere.

Landscape features such as valley bottoms, shaded hillsides and shaded slopes can create these micro climates.

At 2pm today, the sun was shining (although the air temperature was cold!) and the roads were dry, except when taking the back road from Garrigill over to Nenthead the shading of the trees created a classic micro climate - frost remaining on the verge and road, even at that time.

The frost on the verge was very picturesque, especially with the glorious sunshine backdrop [something my mobile phone camera couldn't cope with!] but the road was still damp and slippy.

So make sure you're looking ahead for these shaded areas and ensure micro climates are in your observations!

DAM AGM - November 29th. Don't forget!

October social meeting.

A good turnout of members were present for the October social evening at the Bowburn Hall Hotel.


The presentation was given by PC Ali Bonar of the Durham Police Bike section.  Ali gave a multimedia presentation to the members present reinforcing the methods and benefits of advanced riding.


After a little bit of IT challenge, Ali was able to deliver a light hearted presentation using video shot by Durham Bike Section on the fantastic roads of the Durham Dales.

Ali educating the members on the finer points of some of our laws!

The presentation was followed by a "pop quiz" on road signage, road markings and some of the more obscure aspects of road law.


For example:
 - Are you able to overtake/filter on the approach to a crossing?
 - What does the law state regarding pillions on a motorcycle?

The light hearted banter continued through the discussions around the answers, including the opportunity to challenge Ali's answer to the question regarding the types of crossings that exist!  This was challenged by the members who had participated in last month's road trivia quiz which featured a question about the "Pegasus" equine crossing.


Thanks to Ali for giving her time to the club for this presentation and also all of the support work she and her colleagues in the Bike Section give to DAM. 

The Trophy!

Motorcycle Group Achievement Award

3rd. 2011

The award is presented to groups in recognition of their achievements in membership, success in the test and general group activities.

Congratulations to all of us!

The sticky fingerprints are courtesy of the celebratory chocolate biscuits at the committee meeting!

DAM Achievements recognised by IAM

DAM's achievements in sucessfully bringing riders up to the required standard of the IAM Advanced standard has been recognised by the IAM.


DAM came third in the country (out of 70 groups) in the Group Achievement Awards!


At the IAM Motorcycle conference at Warwick University on Sunday 9th October DAM was represented by Brian Clements (Chair) and Bill McReady (Secretary), both were pleasantly surprised to receive this award and it came totally out of the blue. 


The photo is from the IAM website which shows Bill being presented with the trophy by Simon Best IAM Chief Executive, and Nicola from Adelaide Insurance. 

This award is a recognition of the hard work by all of our Members, Associates, Observers & Committee Members and we should all be rightfully proud of the Group's achievements!