Category: IAM RoadSmart

1. Official dash cam guidance urgently needed says IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 30th Aug 2017

   The UK’s biggest road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has warned that the rush of drivers investing in dash cams may not yield any increase in prosecutions for dangerous driving as many hope – and may also lead to fewer visible traffic patrols as officers spend more time analysing amateur footage.

   In 2015 The Daily Telegraph reported that sales of dash cams had increased by 918% (reference 1), with many insurance companies now accepting footage as part of insurance claims.

   But IAM RoadSmart has urged caution, as drivers are potentially lulled into a false sense of security in thinking a dash cam will protect them or exonerate them from all blame in the event of a crash – when in fact the opposite might be the case.

   Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said dash cam footage often does not show the full picture of a crash – often being too short, poor quality, failing to show how a crash developed or only showing one very restricted angle.

   He added that there is no consistency over which police forces would accept dash cam footage – on Monday (21 August) both North and South Wales Police were widely quoted in the media as saying they would welcome it (reference 2) through its Operation Snap, but as of now the situation is vastly different or unknown by many across the country.

   Neil added: ”IAM RoadSmart is calling for consistent national guidelines on the standard of dash cam footage required for prosecutions, what the police will do with it and how to submit it in the correct way. Our members are very supportive of high profile policing but it takes time for police to evaluate the footage, decide what to follow up, trace the driver, serve paperwork and then obtain a successful prosecution within legal time limits. Our main concern is that dash cams must not become a replacement for fully trained officer undertaking high profile roads policing.

   Neil said: “A dash cam isn’t the be-all and end-all. People need to realise they must improve their own standards of driving as well as expecting others to do the same. “We at IAM RoadSmart are very concerned that drivers might be investing in a dash cam as a substitute for better driving, instead of using it as a back-up.

   “In many ways a dash cam is the end of the line; real accident prevention requires better driver training and tackling ingrained attitudes and behaviours.”

2. New US study confirms IAM RoadSmart view of benefits of humans and new vehicles working together

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 22nd Aug 2017

   The UK’s biggest independent road safety charity IAM RoadSmart maintains that we will not gain the full safety benefits of self-driving cars until every car on the road is connected to each other – a statement that has now been backed up by a white paper produced by experts at the University of Michigan.

   Until then, IAM RoadSmart believes that the human mind holds the edge, until such point that connected cars actually ‘talk’ to each other and predict what is happening over the horizon.

   Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “The ultimate win-win situation is a place where information from each vehicle is shared with the vehicles around it, add that to human experience born from a lifetime of ‘trial and error’ and you have the ideal double-act to spot crashes before they happen.”

   The white paper comes from Brandon Schottle from the University of Michigan called Sensor Fusion: A Comparison of Sensing Capabilities of Human Drivers and Highly Automated Vehicles (reference 1).

   Mr Schottle said in his report: “ Machines/computers are generally well suited to perform tasks like driving, especially in regard to reaction time (speed), power output and control, consistency, and multichannel information processing. Human drivers still generally maintain an advantage in terms of reasoning, perception, and sensing when driving. ”

   He added: “While no single sensor completely equals human sensing capabilities, some offer capabilities not possible for a human driver.

   “In the short to medium term AV [autonomous vehicle] sensing systems will still be critical for detection of any road user or roadway obstacle that is not detected and shared by connected vehicles which is where the human brain comes in.”

   Mr Schottle pointed out a number of circumstances in which both human capabilty and a connected vehicle’s perception can be compromised – thus increasing the need for each party to work together – such as extreme weather, excessive dirt or physical obstructions, darkness or low illumination, large physical obstructions and dense traffic.

   The report also pointed out where the human brain wins out over a vehicle’s ‘brain’; it said in the areas of memory, reasoning, sensing and perception, human involvement is both desirable and advantageous.

   Back in March, IAM RoadSmart warned that cars with growing levels of autonomy could make motorists lazy and over reliant on gadgets – with far reaching implications for the potential reduction of people killed and seriously injured on the roads (reference 2).

   Neil Greig said at the time: “When it comes to driverless cars, IAM RoadSmart members are not keen to give up full control. The implications for future driver competence and training as we become more reliant on technology are still far from clear.”

   The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: The future? echoed this view, stating: “Autonomous cars could have negative implications for drivers' competence, making drivers complacent and overly reliant on technology. This is of particular concern in emergency situations, where a driver may react slowly to taking back control of a vehicle.”

   IAM RoadSmart is organising a conference in co-operation with the RAC Foundation in London on 4 October 2017 on how to safely manage the transition to autonomous cars. Individuals wishing to register their interest in attending the conference should email [email protected]

3. Drivers support diesel scrappage scheme - but say drivers, government and car makers can deliver cleaner air together

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 23rd Jun 2017

   Around two thirds of UK road users would support a scrappage scheme for older diesel cars, vans and lorries in an effort to get the worst polluting vehicles off our roads, according to a survey by IAM RoadSmart.

   The survey, by the UK’s biggest independent road safety charity, asked respondents to rate the various options put forward in the government’s recent nitrogen dioxide consultation but found that only 3% of respondents are confident that the proposed measures solve the problem quickly.

   More than 1,400 people across the UK including members and non-members took part in the survey, which was conducted earlier this month.

   Some 64% of those surveyed said they supported a diesel scrappage scheme, compared to 27% who did not. Most wanted any scheme to apply to cars over eight years old.

   Some 83% of those surveyed by IAM RoadSmart agreed with the government’s view retro-fitting buses, coaches, HGVs, vans and black cabs with new equipment should be the priority.

   However those surveyed felt the driver as an individual also has a responsibility to drive in a more eco-friendly manner. Some 75% agreed that encouraging drivers to change their driving behaviour should play a part in the government’s approach to tackling air quality.

   UK drivers appear to have been influenced by the ‘dieselgate’ scandal as 67% of them either mistrust or strongly mistrust car makers to sell cars that will match consumer expectations for environmental performance.

   Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “It is clear to me that the public at large feel the government needs to be decisive and proactive when it comes to making our air quality better. They see strong government direction as key to making sure it happens.

   “We must not forget that drivers themselves have a part to play in the way they drive – it is within the power of each of us to become better and more eco-friendly driver and our responsibility to do so.”

   She added: “It is however clear that the car manufacturers have some way to go to rebuild trust with the public - it would seem that only when their environmental claims more closely match real world performance that the trust will be on the increase. Reputations take years to build and moments to fall.”

4. Ten most dangerous roads for motorcyclists in Britain revealed | Swinton Insurance announce partnership with IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 13th May 2017

   Roads including Greater London’s Lambeth A23 named as dangerous for motorcyclists– findings revealed as Swinton Insurance announces partnership with IAM RoadSmart 

   Ten roads across Britain have been named as the most dangerous for motorcyclists, including the North West’s High Peak A57 and London’s Lambeth A23, according to government data analysed by Swinton Insurance. In total in 2016, 118 accidents involving motorcycles happened on these ten roads.

   The research compiled by Swinton, the UK's largest high street insurance broker, reveals the motorcyclists most likely to be in an accident by age and motorcycle type across each region in the UK.

   The national average showed motorcyclists aged 25 are at most risk of an accident. Men were also 93% more likely to be involved in accidents than women across the UK.

   The conditions most likely to cause an accident on a motorcycle have also been revealed. Motorcyclists are most likely to have an accident in daylight, travelling in a 30mph zone with dry road conditions. Accidents are also more likely to happen on a Wednesday, according to the Swinton Insurance findings from government data.

   Motorbike engine size also played an important factor in accidents across the country, with 44% of accidents occurring on a bike with an engine size of 50 to 125cc. A further 37% of accidents involved a motorbike with an engine size of over 500cc.

   A-Roads were found to be the most dangerous, with 79% of accidents occurring there compared to just 21% on other types of routes. Most accidents also happened during fine weather conditions and more accidents also occurred in urban areas. With hazards from hairpin bends to ensuring a motorbike is ready for the road, there are many tricky hurdles for a motorcyclist to overcome on roads across Great Britain.

   Top 10 most dangerous regional roads for motorcyclists across the UK

   Position	Region	Road
   1	Greater London	Lambeth A23
   2	South East	Rother A259
   3	Yorkshire and Humber	Kirklees A62
   4	South West	North Somerset A370
   5	West Midlands	Birmingham A4040
   6	East Midlands	Leicester  A563
   7	North West	High Peak A57
   8	Wales	Powys A483
   9	Scotland	Highland A82
   10	North East	South Tyneside A194

   To coincide with UN Global Road Safety Week 2017, which begins on Monday 8^th May, and to help raise awareness the importance of motorcycle safety, Swinton Insurance has announced a partnership with leading road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart. The charity have contributed guide content, offering practical advice on issues such as filtering, biking in seasonal weather conditions, as well as dealing with vulnerable road users. There are also top tips for riders returning to the saddle. 

   Along with IAM RoadSmart, Swinton Insurance has also teamed up with a panel of experienced motorcyclists, who have provided commentary for biking on some of the UKs’ most dangerous roads. They have shared practical advice on issues such as tyre safety, handling a motorbike, and how to bike in tricky conditions. The bikers’ commentary also highlights key watch outs when biking on the most dangerous regional roads.  Yorkshire / London

   The free guides and an interactive map that shows the most dangerous regional roads across the UK and its regions is now available here

   

    

   Rodney Kumar IAM RoadSmart said: “We often find that while drivers and motorcyclists strive to be as safe as possible, some find it a challenge to understand exactly how to do so. And as time passes after our driving tests, some of the simple tips we learnt to help stay safe can fade into the background. That’s why it’s so important to offer useful and easily digestible information on how to be a safer driver. We are excited to partner with Swinton to help spread the word about national motorcycle safety”

   Dan Agate Swinton Insurance said: “Motorcycle safety should always be front of mind for any rider, but awareness events like the UN Global Road Safety Week are great reminders of just how imperative it is to do what we can to stay safe on the road. And talking about it now to riders in across the nation, ahead of summer months, is really important. We hope our interactive map and guides help people to think more about safety with every journey they make, come rain or shine.”

    

   Swinton Insurance has been helping people find insurance for more than 50 years by using panels of insurers to find the right cover for individual needs without compromising on price.  

   www.swinton.co.uk    

5. Win lunch with rally legend Paddy Hopkirk, as IAM RoadSmart’s Mature Driver Assessment gets a fresh new look

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 3rd May 2017

   As IAM RoadSmart’s well-regarded Mature Driver Assessment undergoes its own mid-life makeover, the charity is offering the chance to win an exclusive lunch at Silverstone Circuit with its Mature Driver Ambassador, renowned rally and racing driver Paddy Hopkirk MBE.

   As of now, IAM RoadSmart’s Mature Driver Assessment will become the Mature Driver Review. The content and price (£49) of the 60 minute session will remain the same.

   Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “We didn’t want mature drivers to be scared off by the word ‘assessment,’ as there is no pass or fail with the Mature Driver Review. It is all about giving the driver a reassurance that their driving is still up to standard and to offer an extra confidence boost as our roads get more congested."

   IAM RoadSmart has long said that older drivers are sometimes pressured into giving up driving long before they need to – leading to isolation and in some cases depression as the individual loses a key part of their freedom. As we have a steadily aging population, with 10,000 people reaching their 70th birthday each month in the UK (reference 1), maintaining safe mobility is a an issue that can no longer be ignored.

   IAM RoadSmart’s commissioned its own survey Keeping Older Drivers Safe and Mobile, which showed older drivers themselves are keen to drive as long as they are safely able to do so (reference 2).

   Sarah said: “Older drivers are some of the safest on our roads – we are very keen that they don’t hang up their car keys before they need to. Isolating older people by taking their cars away from them will impact heavily on society and increase demands on our health services.”

   IAM RoadSmart has long advocated that independent assessments to allow mature drivers to get a ‘seal of approval’ for their driving ability should be more widely available and they should be offered incentives to take them up in greater numbers (reference 3)

   The Mature Driver Review involves an IAM RoadSmart expert going out with the driver in their own car on familiar local roads, to assess their driving style and to watch out for any areas where skills could do with some sharpening.

   The review is informal – candidates can bring a friend to ride along if they like. Ninety per cent of older drivers reviewed by IAM RoadSmart need only some minor guidance to set them back on the right road.

   After the review, drivers not only get a verbal report on their skills but also a written account of the session, which includes pointers to improvement.

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

   To mark the name change, we are offering a chance for two people and a guest each to enjoy a three-course lunch with Paddy Hopkirk himself at the BRDC Clubhouse at Silverstone Circuit on 15 June as a competition prize, open to everyone.

   The BRDC Clubhouse is not open to the public, so this is a unique opportunity to meet the great man himself and hear some of the amazing stories that have made Paddy a legend in the world rallying scene.

   Although he is famous for winning the 1964 Monte Carlo and 1967 Acropolis Rallies, he also raced at the fearsome Le Mans 24 Hours as well as many other circuits around the world. Paddy was also greatly admired for giving up a sure win in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon to rescue with his co-driver a fellow competitor from his burning car.

   For a chance of winning this unique prize, just answer the following three easy questions and email your answers to [email protected] by noon on 1 June.

   1. What car did Paddy Hopkirk drive when he won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally?

   2. Who was Paddy’s co-driver in the 1964 Monte Carlo rally?

   3. And what was that car’s registration number?