Category: IAM RoadSmart

1. Lifesaving, congestion busting and stress reducing – new lessons are a win-win for all motorway users says IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 5th Jun 2018

   After many years of campaigning by road safety experts, learner drivers will be allowed on motorways as of 4 June – in a move that road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has welcomed and said could save countless lives as well as reduce congestion-causing incidents.

   The DVSA announced back in March that learner drivers would be able to take driving lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales from 4 June.

   Learners will have to be accompanied by an approved driving instructor and driving a car fitted with dual controls. Motorway lessons will be voluntary and it will be up to the instructor to decide when the learner is competent enough for them.

   Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “IAM RoadSmart strongly welcomes this common-sense change to the law on motorway driving.

   “It has never made sense to us that new drivers on our most important roads learned how to use them by trial and potentially fatal error. The government’s insistence on the use of approved instructors and dual-controlled cars is a welcome safeguard that will ensure consistent levels of training and a proper phased introduction to motorway driving skills.

   “Delays and injuries caused by driver error blight our motorways and with new systems such as smart motorways being widely introduced, it is vital that the level of knowledge and skill among motorway users is improved to keep our key economic routes flowing.

   “Any current drivers who feel the need to refresh their skills or improve their confidence and enjoyment on the motorway can take an IAM RoadSmart motorway module today.”

2. Convictions for traffic offences on the rise again in England and Wales in the past three years, finds road safety experts IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 9th May 2018

   Official government figures analysed by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart have found that convictions for traffic offences in England and Wales' courts are steadily increasing again from a low point in 2013 – including a huge 52% increase in dangerous driving convictions.

   Guilty verdicts were at 1.2 million in 2006 and declined for seven years until 2014 when the total number of offences started rising again and have continued to do so ever since.

   Other surprising statistics to emerge from IAM RoadSmart’s research include a dramatic increase of almost 70,000 over 10 years in convictions for the failure to supply the identity of a driver of a vehicle.

   By contrast there were also big drops in drink-drive and mobile phone-related convictions; IAM RoadSmart believes the dangers of both are finally sinking in.

   There does not appear to be one single reason why conviction rates are on the rise again, but IAM RoadSmart surmises that a combination of targeted enforcement, increased electronic surveillance and a renewed focus on traffic policing after years of neglect may all be behind the increases.

   The news of an increase in convictions will be welcomed by the law abiding majority of motorists; IAM RoadSmart members have for many years been in favour of harsher punishments for those who injure or kill behind the wheel, see story here. 
   

   In 2016 (the latest year for which figures are available) there was an increase of 19% in the total number of convictions compared to the most recent low in 2013.

   The figures also reveal a welcome 10% drop in those convicted of drink-driving since 2013 when 43,000 drivers were found guilty compared to just under 39,000 in 2016 – a steady decline over the three year period and an impressive 50% reduction from the 78,029 high in 2006.

   However, with deaths caused by drink-driving flatlining, there is still a long way to go in reducing this number further, which underlines the continued need for well targeted anti drink-drive campaigns.

   The dangers of using a mobile phone might finally be sinking in to more drivers, with convictions for the offence of using or causing others to use a mobile phone whilst driving dropping by more than half in the past five years, from 32,404 in 2011 to 13,847 in 2016 - a reduction of over 57%.

   One motoring offence which has been on the rise steadily since 2006 is ‘failing to supply information as to identity of driver when required.’

   In 2006 there were 12,056 convictions but by 2016 this number had grown to a huge 82,029 guilty verdicts. This is most likely linked to increased forms of surveillance leading to more requests to confirm the identity of the driver.

   Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “This will be good news indeed for motorists who have been concerned for a long time about the level of convictions for the most dangerous motorists.

   “It also shows that the most serious motoring offences are being taken seriously by the courts – even though there is a long way to go an increased certainty of conviction might get some drivers out of the mindset of thinking they can get away with drink or drug driving or using a hand-held mobile phone at the wheel of a car.”

3. IAM RoadSmart bike experts deliver rider training … on the other side of the world in Nepal!

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 25th Apr 2018

   Two friends who work for the UK’s biggest road safety charity IAM RoadSmart have just completed the project of a lifetime, passing on their motorbike training skills to other bikers in Nepal recently.

   Scott Tulip and Pete Doherty, both area managers for the charity – who as it turned out both trained together in their previous lives in the Motorcycle Wing at the Metropolitan Police Driving School, were contracted to deliver the training as part of a two-week project by The Ghurkha Welfare Trust.

   The Trust offers financial, medical and community aid to Gurkha veterans, their widows and communities in Nepal - many of whom live in the most remote and hazardous parts of the country - hence the need to provide safe riding skills training … enter Pete and Scott!

   Many of the roads are tracks not wide enough for a four-wheeled vehicle, and others are metalled tracks.

   The pair had the brief of ‘teaching on and off road training’ to the group of 12 students, starting with the basics of road safety training, called IPSGA – information, position, speed, gear, acceleration. It forms the basis of advanced driving and riding here, and has no less importance in Nepal.

   Scott rightly said: “The idea is to ensure they are getting it right by skill rather than luck so we will have a theory session then it’s a case of putting into practice which is the key to any effective training. They are, rightfully, a proud nation and proud of their country. We need to engage with care and not be condescending or disrespectful to them or their nation.”

   The GWT has over 20 offices and over 400 staff spread throughout the country. Their staff work tirelessly to ensure that their beneficiaries are well looked after, and able to live with dignity. The abiity of the Trust's staff to be mobile in times of need is critical - hence the importance of its motorbike riders being able to get around safely.

   After starting in Kathmandhu, the pair moved down to Pokhara for training in earnest, a distance of 200km – with its own fair share of dramas, including unpredictable cattle grazing where they choose and sharing the road with brakeless buses!

   The trainees were given a comprehensive session on repair and maintenance techniques – which unlike the UK involves not only getting hold of the right tools, but having them made especially!

   The team took part in comprehensive on and off road training; some of the off road training involved riding through riverbeds, gravel and mud tracks.

   The end of the trip saw Pete and Scott assessing how much their students had learned and progressed – and thankfully all passed. The next stage would involve them training each other and then passing this training down amongst the ranks.

4. Use of Northern Ireland graduated driver licensing scheme as a trial welcomed by IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 14th Apr 2018

   IAM RoadSmart has welcomed the Department of Transport commitment to monitor the Northern Ireland Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Scheme as a possible model for future roll out across the rest of the UK in the future.

   IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s largest road safety charity has long campaigned for a bespoke British graduated driving licensing scheme for new drivers, who are the biggest at-risk driving group by a significant margin.

   Under its long awaited proposals, the Northern Ireland Government plans to bring a number of provisions into force in 2019/20 including passenger carrying restrictions and a six-month mandatory learning period.

   IAM RoadSmart is wholly in favour of the Northern Ireland approach, in particular the minimum learning period and some restrictions on peer group passengers. We remain to be convinced about the value of night curfews, but the real world experience in Northern Ireland will help ensure that the next steps are evidence based.

   In addition IAM RoadSmart also strongly supports the Department for Transport’s commissioning of a £2 million young driver research programme. This will look into the effectiveness of a range of safety measures for young and novice drivers, both pre and post-test. These will include getting parents more involved in managing post-test hazardous situations as well as greater use of telematics to manage driver behaviour.

   IAM RoadSmart is ready to provide its knowledge and expertise in developing the content of any new driver learning system and post-test interventions.

   Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “IAM RoadSmart welcomes the new scheme for GDL in Northern Ireland. Road crashes are the biggest killer of young people in the UK today. New drivers are most at risk in their first year of driving and yet the current system abandons them to learn by their own, sometimes fatal, mistakes.”

   She added: “The risk factors are well known; lack of experience in all traffic conditions but, especially rural roads, darkness and poor weather, attitude, distraction (by peer passengers or smartphones) and alcohol and drugs. Choosing effective restrictions to limit these risk factors should be the key objective of the government in creating a new licensing system that is practical, affordable and works to reduce young driver road deaths and injuries.

   “Today’s news is a great first step in ensuring that a young person’s lifetime journey on our roads does not end before it has even started.”

5. Become a guru of the road with IAM RoadSmart’s Skills Days!

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 5th Mar 2018

   IAM RoadSmart’s renowned Skills Days, which allow drivers and riders to learn handling skills from real experts while driving their own cars or motorbikes on race tracks across the country, are back for 2018.

   Taking place at Thruxton in Hampshire and Knockhill in Scotland during the summer and autumn, the sessions are open to the public – and allow a rare chance to learn about handling and precision driving on a world class racing circuit, and how to use those skills to drive and ride with safety and enjoyment on public roads.

   Drivers and riders will either work one-to-one with an instructor, or as part of a small group, and will be given the opportunity to fully understand what their car or motorbike is capable of.

   Skills you will have the chance to develop include:

   ï‚·Entry, apex and exit points, how they vary from road to circuit, how we use them and where we should position for view, stability and progress

   ï‚·Where to brake, when and how much to brake, how it feels in an emergency. Most people have never used their brakes to their full potential – you will on a Skills Day!

   ï‚·Controlled, progressive, smooth cornering

   ï‚·Gear selection and how to decide which is the most appropriate gear for the circumstances

   ï‚·How to use the accelerator or throttle to add stability to the car or motorcycle when cornering

   The 2018 schedule for Skills Days is as follows:

   Thruxton

   May :

   1st – Cars; 2nd – Bikes

   June :

   11th – Bikes

   July :

   11th – Bikes Ladies Day (this session led by IAM RoadSmart Rider Ambassador and professional bike, car and sidecar racer Maria Costello, who will be giving personal tuition to all attending on the day); 25th – Bikes

   August :

   16th – Bikes

   September :

   10th – Cars; 11th – Bikes

   Knockhill

   July :

   30th – Bikes

   Motorcycle Skills Days are £149 each (full day), car Skills Days £135 each (half day).

   Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “Drivers and riders rarely get to understand and explore what their car or bike is capable of – and what they are not capable of. Our Skills Days are the perfect chance to enjoy the art and the fun of driving and riding well – and translating those skills into something that will make driving and riding a pleasure rather than a chore.”

   For more information or to book visit https://www.iamroadsmart.com/campaign-pages/end-customer-campaigns/skillsday or call 0300 303 1134.