Operation Grimaldi

Presented by

Insp Paul Rowe

Statistics

In the five years 2008/2012 there have been 70 motorcyclists and pedal cyclists killed and 1175 seriously injured as a result of collisions on the roads of Greater Manchester. 

In the five years 2008/2012 there have been 10 motorcyclists and pedal cyclists killed and 47 seriously injured as a result of accidents with HGVs and buses on the roads of Greater Manchester.

2013 to date we have had 29 fatal collisions of these 7 include motorcyclists and pedal cyclists.

What does this mean?

The force is working to reduce the number of killed and seriously injured on the road.

Currently increase in KSI’s involving pedal cycles has risen by 12 % compared to 2010.

Reasons?

Breakdown

8% of all casualties are Pedal Cyclists.

13% of all pedal cycle casualties have fatal or serious injuries.

Cycle casualty numbers are high in relation to the number of Pedal Cycle users (less that 1% of traffic).

Contributory factors

Cyclists failing to look properly.

Cyclists failing to judge speed and direction of other road users.

Cyclists entering the road from the footpath.

Dark clothing at night/ no lights.

Disobeying traffic signals / signs.

Issues highlighted in Manchester• Going down the near side and in the middle of large vehicles including busses.

• Cyclist failing to conform to traffic lights and other regulations / Lights and visibility.

• Cyclist entering road from pavement, including cycling across pedestrian crossings.

• Vehicles including cyclists changing direction – turning right, left and changing lanes not looking and with no signals.

• Occupants of vehicles opening doors of vehicles into path of cyclists.

• Cyclists on the near side of HGV at junctions when vehicle turns left.

How did we start

• Highlighted ‘hot spot’ area from centre of Manchester along Oxford Road continuing along Wilmslow Road.

• Meeting progressed to static exhibition with University of Manchester.

• Stop and process offenders.

• Offer some type of training.

• Links with Drivesafe “Transport for Greater Manchester.” Local Hauliers (Fagan and Whalley) and Stage Coach

To influence the attitude and behaviour of all road users

Walk through exhibition

To educate all road users on the dangers of HGV’s and busses when using the road

Sit in the driver's seat and observe how little the driver can see.

Explain the myth of ‘I can see the mirrors so they can see me’.

Linked with drivesafe.

Education leaflets and goodies.

British Cycling backed and supported the message we are trying to promote.

Walk through exhibition

Press

• Learned how volatile to topic of cycling is in relation to road users.

• Lessons Learnt.

Press

Press

Manchester Evening News June 2013

..... a cycling campaigner said the operation was ‘one-sided’ – urged police to concentrate on motorists instead.

XXXXX, from the Love Your Bike campaign, said: “We are in favour of taking action against people who cycle poorly and anti-socially, but we don’t see an equivalent crackdown on drivers.”

“When cyclists runs a red light it is usually inconvenient, when a driver does it is downright dangerous.”

Operation

• Highlight location with CCTV and stop offenders.

• Originally given fixed penalty now TORs.

• When stopped issued with details, location and times/dates of training presentation.

• 13 evenings work resulted in 546 cyclists processed. 12 repeat offenders

Costs

• Little cost.

• Assisted in training need for those due for promotion.

• Assisted in the new recruits to complete training portfolio.

• Training sessions at Fire Stations.

Processing and presentation

• Of the 546 stopped.

• 77% for failing to comply with red ATS,

• 12% cycling on the footpath,

• 10% cycling with no lights and 1% other offences FTS PCSO/PC and also careless and inconsiderate cycling.

• Out of those 444 attended the presentation and had their tickets rescinded.

Evolution of the training presentation

• Obtain feedback from BIKE user groups such as UMBUG (University Manchester Bike user group), love ur bike and attendees to the presentation.

• Amazingly 93% of those attending have had no cycle training and many of these were none drivers. Cyclists unaware that they may be liable for injuries or damaged caused by cycling.

• Because of location many international visitors have no idea of road safety in this country.

• Brought on board a cycle trainer. (brings experience)

Conclusion of presentation

• Provide high visibility vest.

• Wrap around reflective bands.

• Street maps.

• Leaflets regarding free training.

• If possible cycle marking.

Cycle Group Issues

• Picking on the cyclists.

• Money making programme.

• Letting the motorist off.

• Not enforcing ASL.

• Nothing better to do.

•It’s not us that causes accidents.

Picking on the cyclists.

2012• Total number camera offences: 126902.

•Fixed Penalties issued (driver not eligible for driver retraining): 28945.

• Number of Fixed Penalties complied with: 24868. 86% compliance.

• Number of driver retraining/courses offered: 72925

• Of these 56936 chose to attend a course: 78% of offers

• 11608 chose to comply with Fixed Penalty: 94% compliance.

Money making programme.

• New officers under training.

• Special Constables

• TPCSO’s who wish to become involved.

• Cost are travelling expenses.

• Attendees did not pay the fine.

Letting the motorist off.

Had to collect data from our operations to appease cyclists

• During one three day, 3 hour, evening operation.

• 5 vehicles seized no insurance

• 15 mobile phones 15 no seatbelt

• 2 FTS red light 3 FTS pedestrian crossing

• 2 Cannabis street warnings

Not enforcing ASL.

• Issues re structure.

• Issues re LA traffic regulation in place.

• Myth that the driver is in the ASL so an offence has been committed.

• Produced leaflet to be given to motorists.

Nothing better to do.

Way Forward.

• Depends on your role on the highway as to whom you see as at fault or blameworthy.

• Just being caught , given a ticket and a talk does little to break these barriers down.

• Need to look to the decision making process and how we take risks.

• Getting away with it becomes the norm.

• Perhaps way forward is to say if the class were all to become role models how would others see cyclists.

April 2014

• System in place where TfGM / Drivesafe have own training course for cyclists .

• Training of police staff / Police Officers on process.

• Positive Press / Support from national organisations

Cyclist Issues

• Road conditions.

• Danger caused by other road users.

• Pedestrians in cycle paths

• ASL and disregard of the rules.

Road conditions.

Road conditions.

Danger caused by other road users.

Commenced two training areas

•Links with bus companies training of staff .

•Links with Hauliers.

Use of and setting up proximity mirrors.

Dealing with conflict.

Retain CCTV evidence.

Pedestrians in cycle paths. ASL and disregard of the rules.

• Traffic management and road design issues.

• Placing of bus stops, pedestrian access.

• Education of pedestrians. Difficulty with the elderly.

• Education of motorists.

To influence the attitude and behaviour of all road users

In July 2013 GMP teamed up with Volvo to promote Operation Grimaldi they loaned us a Volvo V40 fitted with a cyclist detection system. This vehicle is used to promote

sharing the road and is taken to road safety events

Who was Grimaldi?

ANY QUESTIONS