 In the wake of yesterday's ICC statement that 40% of the world's human population is ALREADY highly vulnerable to bad effects from climate change, the PLV sector (covering powered 2-, 3- and light 4-wheel vehicles) has launched its ‘Action Plan’ for Government and industry towards decarbonisation.
The Motorcycle Industry Association and specialists Zemo Partnership, were tasked by government to identify actions for creating business and consumer opportunities for 0-emission PLVs ("0PLVs"). This includes powered 2-wheelers and other ‘L-Category’ vehicles. The Plan shows how, working with industry, government can remove barriers to enable 0PLVs as significant modes of transport, benefiting environment, decongestion, and affordability. It recommends developing [1] UK component and supply chains for 0-emission L3-Category powered 2-wheelers (PTWs) to encourage new entrants to the market, to lower manufacturing costs and to minimise greenhouse gas emissions; similarly [2] for L7 cargo vehicles, to increase number and availability of models, enhancing consumer and fleet choice; [3] review of grant and incentivisation structure in the PLV sector, including learning from other vehicle categories where expansion of 0-emission has proven successful; [4] joint campaigning to raise public awareness; [5] simplifying licensing across all L-Category segments; [6] targeting rural communities' mobility with PLV solutions such as "Wheels to Work"; [7] engaging via the Local Authority Transport Decarbonisation Toolkit to ensure 0PLVs are part of an integrated transport solution; [8] creating a formal L-Category community to engage with government and monitor delivery; [9] engaging with industry such that 0PLVs are built in to the EV-charging infrastructure.  From 25th March it will become illegal, under virtually any circumstance, to use a hand-held mobile phone (nowadays, more of a pocket computer) while driving.
Existing law has covered their prohibition for making calls or texting for many years. But the legislation has been difficult to enforce. The stricter regulations mean drivers will be more likely to receive a £200 fine and 6 penalty points if caught using a hand-held phone at the wheel. A driver is 4x more likely to be involved in a crash if they use such a device at the wheel. In 2020 alone, 17 people were killed, 114 people were seriously injured, and 385 were slightly injured on UK roads in crashes involving drivers distracted by mobile phones.
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