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Child Pillion Passengers - an extract from the Eastbourne Herald
A CHARITY is being set up in memory of a Langney schoolboy who died in a motorbike crash.
Family and friends of Sean Pearce-Weston are
applying for Lottery funding to help establish a group to lobby Government for a change in the law.
They want to make it illegal for children under 16 to be pillion
passengers on any form of motorcycle. Support for the cause has come from several national road safety charities and groups, including Brake, RoadPeace, the Royal Society for
the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the AA and the RAC.
'The statistics for motorcycle road fatalities is rising rapidly in East Sussex,' said Claire Lacey,
of Langney, whose son was a friend of Sean's. 'We want to raise people's awareness while protecting other families from the loss of a loved one. 'Sean
was a lovely little boy who must never be forgotten.' Eight-year-old Sean suffered fatal head injuries in an accident on the Polegate bypass on May 26.
He
was the pillion passenger on a 750cc Honda motorcycle, ridden by a 35-year-old friend of his dad's, which collided with a car. His parents did not know their son was
on the bike and he was wearing an ill-fitting adult's helmet.
A petition has been started by mum Cassie Pearce and Miss Lacey, who has a background in
marketing and is spearheading the campaign. It was placed in shops at Langney Shopping Centre and Milfoil Drive, and in some Seaside pubs. In just four days, 1,300
signatures had been collected. A further 400 people have signed the petitions since then.
MP Nigel Waterson will present the petition to Parliament and plans to
challenge Transport Minister David Jamieson. Mr Waterson said, 'Personally I was gobsmacked to hear that it's not against the law for children to ride on the back of
motorbikes. 'We know how dangerous they are at the best of times, but particularly so for children. 'I think Sean's family and friends are being incredibly
heroic to make something good come of this tragedy and I am ready and willing to help them all the way.'
Mr Waterson says he will try to introduce a Private Members' Bill to get the ball rolling.
Miss Pearce said, 'Bikes are just about the most dangerous type of
transport you could think of. 'You are completely exposed. In a crash, you've got no chance. 'When you go to the pictures with your children, they are
protected from watching certain films by the age limits. 'It should be no different with motorbikes, on which children are exposed to actual, serious risks.'
MAG will be responding to the Private Members’ Bill.
What are your views on Child Pillion Passengers?
public-affairs@mag-uk.org
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