Category: IAM RoadSmart

1. Businesses must do more to avoid distracted drivers causing deaths, says IAM RoadSmart in new report

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 12th Feb 2019

   IAM RoadSmart has called for businesses to urgently tackle the issue of distracted drivers at the wheel and overhaul their safety at work policies – to help stem the tide of avoidable crashes on our roads.

   The UK’s biggest independent road safety charity has just published a white paper called Driving While Distracted: Challenges and Solutions, which examines the reasons why so many motorists’ minds wander while driving, and what can be done to reverse the shocking trend.

   Fleet operators are facing higher costs for fines, damages and charges; while at the same time manufacturers, in an attempt to gain competitive advantage, are intent on fitting vehicles with more sophisticated technology seemingly by the day, the white paper reports.

   IAM RoadSmart highlights Department for Transport figures which show that in 2017 there were 4,639 casualties caused by in-vehicle distractions.

   Driver distraction can take four forms, the report says: mental, visual, manual and through sound – and in today’s world, some of these factors can combine to make the problem significantly worse. These were also highlighted in IAM RoadSmart’s 2017 report The Battle for Attention.

   The growing trend of ‘nomophobia’ – the fear of being out of mobile phone contact is particularly prevalent among business drivers but employers can avoid it through consistent application of a mobile phone policy among their drivers.

   The advent of new DAS (Driver Assistance Systems) which can tempt us to drive as a passenger one minute and retake control the next are all adding to the need to ensure fleet managers take distraction seriously. Dr Graham Hole from Sussex University believes that the worst of all worlds is semi-autonomous driving, saying that ‘humans are rubbish at being vigilant.’

   In terms of an answer to the problem of distracted motorists, the report states that the ideal solution – the fully autonomous car – is still some way off.

   Dr Hole adds that cars need to keep drivers engaged and avoid them switching off during the journey – that human involvement was crucial.

   The report concluded that businesses had to ask some long hard questions, plus have a robust company driver training policy that isn’t ignored.

   The report concludes, “it is imperative that fleet managers – and their leaders – take a fresh look at professional driver training, to ensure that their employees reach the very highest standards.”

   Tony Greenidge, IAM RoadSmart business development director, said: “Our white paper shows that with increasing the sophistication of in car technology there is an unintended consequence that requires drivers – typically in real time - to decide how to best process and utilise the information provided.

   “Employers also have a key role to play by ensuring that their travel and mobility policies allow drivers to take full advantage of technology but in a way that is both safe and legal.”

   The full report can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rxx67238v6pk3l1/IAM_Whitepaper_2v14.pdf?dl=0

2. Snowing me, snowing you … there is something we CAN do!

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 1st Feb 2019

   IAM RoadSmart brings you expert advice on driving in snow from its head of driving and riding advice Richard Gladman.

   Best advice is to avoid travelling in extreme weather. If no one is moving, you just add to the problem - so listen to travel advice.

   If you do have to travel in bad weather, plan your journey thoroughly. Think about where you are going and what it will be like all the way along the journey. If you can, avoid travelling on less-used roads or country lanes as these are less likely to be gritted.

   Before setting off, clear all your windows and mirrors fully. Clear off snow piled on the roof of your car and the bonnet too, as it can fall and blow on to the windscreen. Don’t leave anything obscured.

   Start your car gently from stationary and avoid high revs. If road conditions are extremely icy and you drive a manual car, you should move off in a higher gear rather than first gear. You should stay in a higher gear to avoid wheel spin.

   It’s important you get your speed right when travelling in snow. Never drive too fast that you risk losing control, and don’t drive so slowly that you risk losing momentum for getting up a slope.

   Increase your following distance from the vehicle in front of you. It may take up to 10 times as long to stop on snow or ice build this into your following distance – this will give you more time to slow down using engine braking which is less likely to induce a skid.

   Make sure you slow down sufficiently before reaching a bend so you have enough time to react to any hazards that appear as you go round it – and so you do not skid as well. You should have finished slowing down before you start to turn the steering wheel.

   If you break down or have to pull over on a motorway or dual carriageway, you should leave your vehicle and stand to the safe side of it - ideally well over the armco to the nearside of the road, but not in front of it, when waiting for help.

   Richard said: “Many of the problems associated with travel during snow could be avoided if people planned in advance. People routinely travel with only the minimum of safety equipment, without realising their journey could be a lot longer than expected.

   “At the very least you should have a shovel, torch, blanket, jump-leads and tow rope. You should ensure your mobile phone is fully charged, and the number of your recovery organisation is saved into it. A bottle of water and a snack may also prove useful and don’t set out without knowing the locations of petrol stations on your way.

   “This all might sound obvious, but too many of us forget to do any of this. Don’t be one of the ill-prepared, and listen to the weather forecast for the whole length of a winter journey to help you prepare for it.”

   www.iamroadsmart.com

3. Don’t miss out on boosting your confidence on the roads – IAM RoadSmart cuts price of Mature Driver Review for one day only

   Posted on 3:00pm Thursday 24th Jan 2019

   If you are a mature driver who needs a confidence boost or would like a reassurance that your skills are still tip-top, IAM RoadSmart has a great special offer for its popular Mature Driver Review.

   This Friday 25 January, for the first 50 people that call in we are offering the Mature Driver Review (MDR) for £40 – down from the usual price of £49.

   The MDR is not a test or exam – there is no pass or fail. It’s a friendly one-hour session, with a qualified assessor who will meet you at a location convenient to you. You will use your own car, and drive on roads that are familiar.

   The assessor will also work through any issues that you are concerned about, and provide a written report in complete confidence addressing anything that you might need work on in the future.

   Paddy Hopkirk, IAM RoadSmart mature driver ambassador, has taken and fully endorses the Mature Driver Review. His is a winner of the Monte Carlo Rally, and has competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Daytona and Sebring in the USA.

   Paddy, 85, said: “Mature drivers are the safest on the road – but it is very important to make sure that our skills are kept up-to-date. As the roads get busier and other drivers feel increasingly impatient, I think the Mature Driver Review is a great way to help older motorists regain their confidence and enjoy their driving lives more.”

   To take advantage of IAM RoadSmart’s special offer for the Mature Driver Review, phone in to our special booking hotline from 8.30am – that number is 0300 303 1134 quoting code MDA 40.

   This offer can only be taken by phone, and not online. Bookings under the special offer will stop once 50 have been sold – so don’t waste any time come Friday!

   For more information about the Mature Driver Review click here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/mature-driver-review

4. Turn your Blue Monday into the Happy Mondays! Snap up a discounted IAM RoadSmart advanced course

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 18th Jan 2019

   They say this Monday, 21 January, is the most depressing day of the year – but at IAM RoadSmart we are encouraging people to do something useful and turn this Blue Monday into the Happy Mondays*, with our very limited-time offer on advanced driving and riding courses.

   Blue Monday is considered to be the day when a combination of the weather, debt and other factors are most likely to affect our mood and motivation.

   So IAM RoadSmart is offering 21 advanced courses at the discounted rate of £99 when the phone lines open at 8.30am on Monday 21 January. Normally the advanced driver and rider courses are £149 each.

   All you have to do is be ready to dial our support hotline on Monday morning, 0300 303 1134, and use the redemption code blue99 to claim your course at the special rate – and keep your fingers crossed that you are quick enough!

   The discounted offer can only be claimed by phoning in – not with an online booking. And once they’re gone, they’re gone.

   Advanced driver and rider courses involve one-to-one tuition by an expert in your own local area. He or she will advise at a pace that is right for you, on roads that you know. Your assessor will also tackle any issues that you are nervous about or want extra help with.

   Mike Quinton, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “There is no reason to feel down on Blue Monday.  Instead of hiding under the duvet, drivers and riders can resolve to turn a negative into a positive and invest a small amount into becoming a better and safer driver or rider, while learning to gain maximum enjoyment from their driving and riding.”

   For more information about all our courses click here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses

   *Apologies for the 80s/90s indie/dance references. Well, actually we are not sorry at all! 

5. Don’t be a pudding! Give your loved ones a lifelong Christmas gift from IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 18th Dec 2018

   Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Have you even started it? Well never fear, IAM RoadSmart is here – with a great gift idea that is not only rewarding but could also save a life one day.

   Until 20 December, IAM RoadSmart’s renowned advanced driver and rider courses are available at a 10% discount - £134 instead of £149.

   Advanced driver and rider courses involve one-to-one tuition by an expert in your own local area. He or she will advise at a pace that is right for you, on roads that you know. Your assessor will also tackle any issues that you are nervous about or want extra help with.

   The tuition will provide everything needed to help drivers or riders gain our advanced qualification.

   Presented in an attractive wallet, vouchers are valid for 12 months, making them a flexible as well as thoughtful gift. Vouchers are sent to the purchaser so that a personal greeting can be added before being given as a present.

   All the recipient needs to do is to call the activation number on the voucher, quote the reference code and provide IAM RoadSmart with their contact details.

   Mike Quinton, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “The gift of safer and more enjoyable driving is something that can benefit your loved one for decades.”

   To get the discount order online at https://www.iamroadsmart.com/giftvouchers or call 0300 303 1134 quoting 'gv10'. Offer ends Thursday 20 December.