Heavy fines for motorcycle drivers without insurance

Drivers who carry out-of-date vehicle insurance will face hefty fines as of the beginning of March.

The fine for motorbike drivers is VND100,000 (US$5.88) and car owners VND500,000 ($29.41) for each violation.

One-year motorbike insurance is usually worth about VND55,000 ($3.23) and the cost of car insurance is value-dependent.

Motorbike owner Nguyen Xuan Phuong, 24, from Ha Noi, said he got his bike insured for a year when he first bought the bike because he was told insurance was part of the registration process.

"I’ve had the bike for three years and I’ve never renewed the insurance. I’ve heard getting compensation after an accident is really complicated."

Le Nguyen on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, also from Ha Noi, said he had to insure his car because it was worth VND500 million ($29,4111).

"I had to get insurance in case I have an accident. If anything happens, I will get compensation," he said.

When accidents do happen, insurance companies are responsible for co-operating with the owners of vehicles and the police to collect information to decide on compensation, said Phung Dac Loc, general secretary of the Viet Nam Insurance Association.

Information sought

For their part, police have to provide insurance firms with enough information, according to an inter-ministerial circular from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Security.

The Finance Ministry’s Insurance Management Department is responsible for supervising and inspecting insurance companies to prevent compensation fraud.

A draft helmet law for children is to be laid out on July 1, Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung said on Thursday.

The minister was speaking at the Child Helmet Wearing Campaign Launch.

The campaign, organised with support from the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP) and the National Transportation Safety, aims to boost the number of children wearing helmets on the road.

The Minister said the law was very important for child safety.

"Stipulations on age, and fines for adults who drive with children who are not wearing a helmet will be laid out in the revised traffic law from July 1," he said.

Chairman of the AIP Greig Craft said he was worried as only 15-30 per cent of kids on the road wore helmets. He said quality-controlled helmets did not impede children’s growth.

Source:http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Police target scrap metal thieves Special unit set up to deal with growing problem which costs £360m a year

A pilot specialist police unit has been set up to tackle the problem of scrap metal theft, which has increased by about 150% in the last two years and cost the country around £360m, the Home Office said today.

Lead from church roofs, copper railway signs and iron manhole covers are some of the items that can be melted down and sold on. Last July 47 organ pipes were stolen from Leaveland church in Faversham, Kent.

Other items that have been stolen include war memorial plaques, road signs and Henry Moore sculptures.

Alan Campbell, the Home Office minister for crime reduction, said: "Metal theft is a serious problem with consequences for business and infrastructure, from damaged electricity and telephone cables to leaking church roofs. Metal theft has even caused power cuts and closed rail lines."

The Home Office said metal theft also forced up council taxes and insurance premiums. David Bonehill, from the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, said: "2008 was the worst year ever for metal theft from churches. Thefts devastate important religious buildings, but they also cause irreparable damage to our heritage and disrupt vital community activities.

"We've been working hard for over two years to give churches the power to protect themselves. We must remain vigilant if we want to protect our churches, schools and heritage properties for the future."

The National Metal Theft Crime Unit, which will be run jointly by the British Transport Police and the Association of Chief Police Officers, will initially run until the end of March and may then be rolled out nationwide. Officers from the unit will also give guidance to forces around the country on how to tackle the problem.

Assistant chief constable Paul Crowther, of the British Transport Police and Acpo's specialist on metal theft, said he welcomed the unit. "Police forces have devoted considerable resources to driving down this type of crime, including intelligence-led operations, proactive patrols using dogs and off-road motorbikes, and scrap yard visits. We hope this approach will enable us to make a real impact."

The unit will be jointly financed by the Home Office and the Energy Networks Association.

Source:http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk

Ark. lawmaker files motorcycle helmet bill

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Helmetless motorcyclists should be able to prove that they have enough health insurance to pay for any injuries they may incur while driving, a state lawmaker proposed Wednesday.

Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, filed legislation that would require motorcyclists to either wear a helmet or prove that they have at least $10,000 coverage under their health insurance.

Hendren's proposal will likely face the same opposition other restrictions have faced since the state repealed its motorcycle helmet law in 1997. Hendren last year proposed requiring helmets for motorcyclists but his bill was rejected by a Senate committee.

Hendren also proposed another driving restriction he brought up last year, a bill that would prohibit drivers under 18 from using cell phones while driving.

Under the bill, anyone charged with breaking the cell-phone driving ban would be issued a warning on the first offense and have to pay a $50 fine for each subsequent offense. The proposal would also bar the state from using a violation of the cell phone rule to suspend or revoke a driver's license.

Hendren's cell-phone driving ban for teenagers was approved by the Senate last year, but rejected by the House.

Source:http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?

Minister shocked by bike death numbers

A government minister has labelled as shocking, statistics showing one in four people killed on Tasmania's roads are on motorbikes.

The Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges has defended a TV advertisement reminding motorcyclists that they are on their own on Tasmania's roads.

He says he is sorry if some motorcyclists find the ads offensive but it is shocking that they represent 25 per cent of road fatalities.

A parliamentary committee scrutinising the Motor Accident Insurance Board has heard the state's car insurance premiums will not be increased for the fourth year in a row.

The MAIB's chief executive Peter Roache says that if it were a commercial operation it would not insure motor cyclists.

He says even though a motorbike premium is more than a car, the MAIB still makes a loss insuring motorcyclists.

Source :http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories

British motorcycle industry appeals to UK Government

Britain's bikers and advocacy groups are appealing to officials as the motorcycle industry calls on government and local authorities to support the industry’s ability to provide affordable and practical transport solutions in these difficult and uncertain economic times.

Employing more than 15,000 people and turning over more than £3 billion ($4.63 billion) a year, the UK motorcycle industry is mainly composed of small and medium-sized businesses. Dealers, suppliers and manufacturers are braced for a volatile and challenging 2009.

On the eve of the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the NEC, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) and the Motorcycle Retailers’ Association (MRA) welcomed the Pre-Budget decision to cut VAT, a national blanket tax, but are jointly urging the government to take practical action in support of the industry and personal mobility. The industry is providing cost-effective transport solutions and helping to keep UK plc on the move at an affordable price. In particular, they want to see government ensuring;

* That dealers have access to low-cost finance so that stock levels can be maintained, enabling consumers who decide to switch to two wheels to get on the road as quickly as possible.

* That support gets through to the shop floor and the independent dealers who most need help.

* That easy and low-cost finance is available to the supply chain so that jobs and services are maintained until the credit crunch eases.

“This isn’t just about sustaining business and jobs,” said MCI chief executive Steve Kenward. “There’s a great opportunity to use the recession positively by supporting the industry at a time when more and more people are turning to two wheels. Motorcycles make social, economic and environmental sense.

“The chancellor’s announcement this week of a cut in VAT is helpful, but his give and take on petrol has done nothing to reduce the costs of travel. Train fares will increase by up to 11 per cent in the new year, hitting commuters especially hard. There is an ever-stronger case for government and local authorities to encourage greater use of mopeds, scooters and other practical, multi-use motorcycles as the recession bites deeper.”

In Britain, the motorcycle market is considered as a segment referred to as the powered two-wheeler (PTW), a market that has held up well this year as people have been taking to mopeds and scooters in particular to cut costs and avoid congestion. PTW registrations last month were 4 per cent up on October last year, and total registrations for the first 10 months of the year were just 1.5 per cent down.

MRA chairman Martin Marshall said: “For businesses, the changes in corporation tax are welcome, but are off-set by the increase in national insurance. The small cut in VAT will make motorcycles, clothing, parts and servicing a little cheaper. While we hope that this will stimulate demand, it is vital that dealers and other businesses have access to low cost finance in order to keep going.”

In addition to business support, the motorcycle industry also wants to see government, legislators, local authorities and transport planners viewing motorcycling as a serious and relevant alternative to the use of cars and public transport. PTWs are part of the solution to the problems of congestion and pollution and should not be ignored or treated as an afterthought. The MCI and MRA simply want equality and the incentives that come with the recognition that PTWs ease traffic and parking congestion, reduce emissions and provide people with reliable and efficient personal transport.”

The Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show is a major motorcycle event and Britain's industry’s showcase for all the latest motorcycles, accessories, safety equipment, rider training and services. It runs at Birmingham's NEC from November 28 to December 7.

Source:http://www.clutchandchrome.com/News

Five Burlco men charged in motorcycle-theft ring

Five Burlington County men have been indicted by a county grand jury for their alleged roles in a motorcycle theft ring, state authorities said yesterday.

The indictments followed an investigation by the New Jersey State Police and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor into a group of people who were stealing motorcycles, retagging them with new vehicle identification numbers, and selling them.

In some case, the suspects were submitting phony insurance claims representing that the cycles had been stolen from their owners when they actually had been given up by their owners, authorities said.

"Frequently, insurance fraud investigations lead to evidence of stolen vehicles, as well as owner-initiated give-ups," said the state insurance fraud prosecutor, Greta Gooden Brown.

Wilson Lopez, 25, of Burlington City; Tyrone Sapp, 31, of Willingboro; and Angel Carrion 3d, 28, of Mount Holly, were charged in one indictment with conspiracy, eight counts of theft by unlawful taking, and five counts of receiving stolen property. Lopez also was charged with one count of fencing.

Also yesterday, in two separate indictments, the same Burlington County grand jury charged Neil C. Moyer, 33, of Browns Mills, with receiving stolen property and fencing, and Ian Boyington, 30, of Riverside, with receiving stolen property, alteration of a vehicle identification number, and a motor vehicle title offense.

The indictment charges that between December 2003 and June 2004, Lopez, Sapp and Carrion conspired to steal six motorcycles and two vans. The indictment also alleges that Lopez organized the fencing of a stolen motorcycle.

Moyer was charged with knowingly taking possession of a stolen motorcycle and selling it. The indictment charging Boyington alleges that he knowingly purchased a stolen motorcycle stamped with an altered vehicle identification number, and that he fraudulently titled the motorcycle.

Source: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/

Gang from Weston guilty of motorbike insurance scam

A gang from Weston-super-Mare pocketed thousands of pounds in insurance payouts when they made false claims for the theft of non-existent motorbikes, a court heard.

Five people pleaded guilty to fraud charges. They were: Andrew Hall, aged 34, of Brompton Road, Oldmixon; Jody Cowell, 28, of Monkton Avenue, Weston; Duane Long, 20, of Thirlmere Road, Weston; Matthew Potter, 25, of Lonsdale Avenue, Weston; and Liam Lees, 22, of Locking Road, Weston.Judge Jamie Tabor QC handed Long a five-month curfew between 8pm and 6am as well as 40 hours unpaid work and told him to pay £20 a week compensation for a year.

The judge handed Cowell a three-month curfew and told her to pay £10 a week for a year. Hall was given a six-month curfew and told to pay £10 a week compensation for two years.He also gave Potter a month-long curfew and Lees a three-month curfew.

James Ward, prosecuting, said Weston-super-Mare based Carole Nash Insurance Limited was one of the first insurance brokers in the country to offer insurance for off-road bikes.The court heard the underwriters for all policies taken out through Carole Nash was a Portsmouth-based company called Groupama.

Mr Ward said: "The police became concerned at what appeared to be the organised theft of off-road bikes at addresses in and around the Bournville estate in Weston-super-Mare.

"Detective Constable James Tubby investigated and rapidly became convinced that he was investigating an insurance swindle relating to claims for non-existent off-road motorbikes rather than the thefts of such machines.

"The insurers Groupama had no idea that they were paying out on fraudulent claims."Mr Ward said the instigator of the scam appeared to be Glen Lord, who received £7,700 in false claims.

He was arrested by DC Tubby, denied wrong doing and then committed suicide by hanging himself.Mr Ward told the court: "DC Tubby is satisfied that Lord was the common denominator and that all the defendants were either friendly with him or knew him quite well.

"Lord shared his knowledge on how to make a successful fraudulent claim."Mr Ward said Long received cheques for £3,700 and £4,000 in two false claims, the first done on behalf of another and the second done for himself after he'd seen how easy it was.

Cowell received £3,400 in a false claim, pocketing a reward of £1,000, the court heard. Hall was sent cheques totalling £8,400 following two fake claims and pocketed £3,000.Mr Ward added Potter did not actually make a claim because police nipped his case in the bud but he would have stood to get £1,000.

Lees reported that his bike had been stolen but again an actual claim was nipped in the bud and he said he was going to be given a quad bike if the scam had worked.Robin Shellard, defending Long, said his client was keen to work having formed a relationship with a woman with children.

Oliver Willmott, defending Cowell, suggested a curfew could be handed to her, and Catherine Spedding, defending Hall, said he had gone through severe financial stress and used the money he gained to pay off a credit card bill.

Nicholas Fridd, defending Potter, said his client didn't get a penny because he pulled out of the swindle, and Charles Row, defending Lees, said his client had surrendered himself to police when the game was up.

Source: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Gang-Weston-g