§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crashes involving motorcycles and mopeds resulting in death or serious injury there have been in(a) the UK, (b) East Sussex and (c) Eastbourne in each of the last 10 years. [184304]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe information requested is shown in the following table.
Fatal and Serious road accidents involving TWMVs1 by area: 1994 to 2003 East Sussex Eastbourne UK 1994 82 4 7,029 1995 79 4 6,906 1996 95 5 6,434 1997 80 5 6,729 1998 91 9 6,721 1999 76 5 7,163 2000 77 3 7,711 2001 86 8 7,670 2002 98 7 7,835 2003 90 3 7,951 1 Two wheeled motor vehicles, mopeds, motor scooters and motorcycles.
§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he bill list the laws and regulations affecting pillion passengers of less than 16 years of age on motorcycles and mopeds. [184305]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe following legislation affects all pillion passengers irrespective of age:
- Only motorcyclists who have passed a motorcycle test can carry passengers. (Regulation 16 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999)
19W - The machine must be equipped with suitable supports or rests for the feet of the pillion passenger. (Regulation 102 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986)
- Pillion passengers must be capable of sitting astride a proper seat securely fixed to the motorcycle. This may require specific adaptations to accommodate young children. (Section 23(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988)
- A pillion passenger must wear a safety helmet. (Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998)
- The decision to carry a passenger on a motorcycle remains with the rider, who is legally responsible for ensuring that the passenger is safely supported. (Section 23(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988)
- Any passenger must be carried in a manner so that no danger is caused, or likely to be caused, to any person on the vehicle or on the road. (Regulation 100 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986)
- It is an offence to use a vehicle when the number of passengers, or the manner in which they are carried, is such that it involves a danger of injury to any person. (Section 8 of the Road Traffic Act 1991)
§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pillion passengers on motorcycles and mopeds have been(a) killed and (b) seriously injured in each of the last 10 years in (i) the UK, (ii) East Sussex and (iii) Eastbourne. [184306]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe information requested is shown in the following table.
Severity 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 England Fatal 437 433 486 539 501 532 598 Serious 5,132 5,165 5,462 5,804 5,822 5,955 6,093 Somerset Fatal 3 8 7 10 11 8 6 Serious 61 47 43 59 44 56 57 Taunton Deane Fatal 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 Serious 14 10 8 8 5 16 12 West Somerset Fatal 1 1 0 2 3 1 1 Serious 3 1 4 1 7 6 5