Car Parks could be used in New Bike Test
Delivery of the new motorcycle test

Our plans to introduce new test centres called “Multi Purpose Test Centres” (MPTCs) are key to road safety, providing a safe environment in which to carry out the new and more demanding motorcycle exercises which will be included in the new practical test from 29 September.

The primary benefit of these centres is one of road safety as these centres will allow the exercises to be taken away from the public road. They will also allow certain car test exercises such as reverse parking to take place on-site and off-road.

It is an unfortunate fact of life, but as members of the human race, every time we step out of our front door, whether it be as a driver/rider, as a pedestrian or at work, we run the risk of being injured quite often through no fault of our own. Accidents will happen. It has been known for someone simply sitting at a desk looking at a computer screen all day can cause injury.

But it is knowing who to turn to after an accident has occurred that seems to cause people much anxiety. If you think that someone or some organisation may be at fault how can you bring a claim?

Many people are deterred from going to a solicitor after an accident because they imagine that he/she will try and tie them up in legal jargon, official red tape and charge them a fortune for the privilege. Times are changing though and many solicitors are now living in the 21st rather than the 19th century. The way the public are treated now is very different to a few years ago.

This article will attempt to explain why a solicitor is the best person to turn to for help after an accident (and who is not the best), what information the solicitor will need to be able to assist you, and the procedure that will be used to try and win you proper compensation.

Who not to use? Over the past few years a number of “accident management” firms have sprung up around the country. So many in fact that you start to lose track of them all. They all sound the same. And they promise big results for an injured person and spend large sums on TV and other advertising. These are not cheap and have to be recovered somewhere. Guess who from?

Screeching rubber on tarmac and locking brakes shatters the May air as you wrestle desperately to avoid hitting the young child who suddenly appeared from nowhere right in front of you. A near miss that could have been so much worse had you not been obeying the speed limit. But shouldn’t you have been expecting something like this to happen? After all it’s 3.30 in the afternoon and children just out of school always hang around sweet shops like the one you just passed. You just weren’t being observant enough!

As a motorcyclist, “observation” is a word you hear time and again. As a learner you are told to regularly take “rear observation” so that you are aware of what is behind you. At advanced level you are advised to develop your level of observation further up the road to give yourself more time to plan.

However, an area of observation that is often overlooked is the ability to link what you are seeing to circumstances that may develop as the ride progresses.