Darwen driving test centre partially closed for a week following accident (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen driving test centre partially closed for a week following accident

5:51pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

A DRIVING test centre has been partially closed for the week after a motorcyclist sustained serious injuries while training .

A trainee motorcyclist had to be airlifted to hospital from the Driving Standards Agency Test Centre, in Commercial Road, Darwen, on Sunday at around noon.

The 35-year-old female was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital at 1.05pm for treatment to a suspected leg injury. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

She was training with Valley Bike School, based in Rossendale, for her module one test when she lost control of the Kawasaki ER 500cc bike and crashed into a fence and a stone wall.

The riding school declined to comment.

A DSA spokesperson said: “Our sympathies are with the rider involved and we wish her a full and speedy recovery. The safety of learners is our top priority and we will be conducting a full investigation into the incident.”

Twenty nine module one tests scheduled at Blackburn with Darwen training centre this week have been transferred to a neighbouring test centre.

David Robinson, 50, a bike instructor for West Pennine Motorcycle Training with 20 years experience, said the module one test was flawed.

“I’m surprised it has taken this long for a serious accident to occur. Inexperienced riders are being asked to make a swerve on a high performance bike.

“The riders are taught not to brake while taking part in their swerve test as they have to be travelling at a minimum of 32 mph to pass the test to meet European directives. On the road, riders would be expected to brake to avoid an obstacle and swerve as a last resort.

“I have complained to the DSA about the test as I don’t feel it is safe.”

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