Keeping Your Licence

These days it seems that every publication you read would have you believe that the Police are out to get you. In reality (although I'm sure there are those who will disagree) the opposite is true.

Firstly, Police Motorcyclists are just like the rest of the country’s riders, ie they are keen riders in their own rite and if not riding big bright Pan Europeans or BMWs will probably be found on their rest days riding Blades, Gixxers, R1s, which (surprise surprise) they will own. You will probably have already met some at bike meets and not even realised it.

You have more in common than you think !

So how can I keep my licence?

An obvious bone of contention is Speed Camera Enforcement or Safety Cameras. We acknowledge that a lot of motorcyclists treat these with a great deal of distrust and think they target motorcyclists, well, not true, they target any speeding motorist whether its a bike, car, bus, lgv.

All the Safety Camera Partnerships publicise their approved camera location sites on the Internet, and some on local radio and newspapers, they paint the Cameras Yellow and put signs up telling you they are there. To be approved as a camera site, the location must have a proven casualty and excess speed history.

With regard to the cameras, the clues are there for you. Check the websites, concentrate, and develop good forward observation skills and anticipation then really you shouldn’t get caught and if you do then maybe you should ask yourself if you SHOULD have been caught and why didn’t I see it !

Police Traffic cars are easier to spot, but the same principle applies - keep your eyes peeled, constantly scan the road ahead and to the sides, think, where would Traffic be more likely to speed  and slow down. Dont forget your mirrors. There really can be no excuse for getting caught by a marked Patrol Car.

However unmarked cars are different. Be suspicious of plain cars mostly with two people in, travelling at the speed limit, and if they’ve got white shirts on ………SLOW DOWN, its better to be safe than sorry ! If you are wondering why that car has lots of aerials on as you fly past, then its too late. Most of these cars have video recording equipment in them as well.

Again though, the Police don’t hide the cars, they’re not being sneaky, they are out on the road all the time so they are there to be seen.

Laser Speed Detection Devices contrary to popular belief are not Radar Guns, they are operated by the side of the road by a man with a big Yellow coat on who will be pointing it in your direction, If you look closer you should see a big Police car there too.

If you see something like this slow down, its either a workman with a theodolite or a Police Officer, if it’s the former, great and if it’s the latter, well that’s good too as you have already seen it.

Another point that has raised its head lately is the misconception that the Police are using Anti Social Behaviour powers to seize riders' bikes for having loud exhausts or small number plates.

There is indeed a power that allows Police to sieze a motor vehicle if it has previously been issued with a Section 59 Notice, however this is NOT aimed at motorcyclists riding their bikes on the road, it is used for Teenagers terrorising people on their mini motos, or field bikes on local playing fields or open land, many of which are stolen, obviously they will bypass the Section 59 Notice in this case and instead invite them down for a quiet chat and a cup of tea.

So there is nothing to fear from this power unless you fall into the above category of rider, but remember the power does exist, if you repeatedly annoy the locals and the Police get complaints they can exercise this.

However!

The Police do have the power now to seize your bike/car/bus/LGV etc if it is being used on the Road without Insurance or if you don't have the appropriate Driving Licence. And will be held for fourteen days, within that time you must produce a drivers licence or Insurance or you run the risk of the bike/car/bus/LGV/flying saucer being disposed of.

This subject is very involved and we have only scratched the surface, we would need a complete web site of its own to cover the subject in depth with regard to offences, penalties and repercussions.

Remember, good observation is not only the key to advanced riding but also to help preserve your licence. The development of Extended Forward Observation is a skill you can learn. Most Police Forces, and organisations like Handle It, IAM and RoSPA will offer you courses from a couple of hours to a couple of days to help you develop these skills.

Check out www.bikesafe.co.uk for participating forces.

Can you think of anybody better to learn from on how to keep your licence, ask them, they will answer you honestly, remember they are motorcyclists too.