Category: IAM RoadSmart

1. 60 is the magic number for fun driving - IAM RoadSmart flash sale offers advanced courses for £60‏

   Posted on 5:00pm Monday 22nd Aug 2016

   With IAM RoadSmart marking its 60th anniversary this year, the charity is offering 60 of its Advanced Driver or Rider courses for just £60 to the first 60 people who phone in. This offer is available from tomorrow morning, Tuesday 23 August.

   To take up the offer you will need to visit IAM RoadSmart’s Facebook or Twitter sites to obtain the redemption code, and phone 0300 303 1134 to book. The code will be posted at 9.30am on 23 August.

   IAM RoadSmart’s Advanced Driver and Rider courses usually retail for £149. The course teams you up with your local IAM RoadSmart group and offers a regular series of sessions to help you gain a greater enjoyment of driving and riding, and help you be a safer driver and rider.

   More than half-a-million people have taken IAM RoadSmart (formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists) Advanced Driver and Rider courses since the organisation was established in 1956.

   IAM RoadSmart’s facebook page
   
   Twitter page

2. Half-a-million drivers and riders can’t be wrong! Champ Mansell backs IAM RoadSmart advanced course‏

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 15th Aug 2016

   Half-a-million people have taken IAM RoadSmart’s advanced test for car or bike over the past six decades – that’s as the leading UK road safety charity reaches its 60th anniversary this week.

   The advanced driving and riding courses are regarded as two of the most comprehensive post-test courses in the UK and have been definitively shown to improve driving and riding skills.

   Current figures show that around 500,000 people have taken the charity’s advanced courses to date in the UK.

   The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) as it was known until earlier this year was established in 1956, based on the police’s Roadcraft manual. At that point annual road death figures in the UK stood at 5,000 a year.

   In 1962 the IAM introduced the first test for commercial vehicle drivers and 1986 saw it launch fleet training for businesses. In 1994 it enrolled its 250,000th member.

   The advanced test assists drivers and riders in becoming more aware of other road users, how to adapt to different conditions, to read the road ahead, and enjoy driving and riding more.

   Independent research revealed 70% of those who received driver coaching showed significantly better skills in key areas such as cornering, speeding and hazard anticipation.

   Today slightly over 1,700 people are year are killed on UK roads – a figure IAM RoadSmart is determined to reduce further by helping to improve the road skills of private and commercial drivers and riders and by its lobbying work within government.

   Nigel Mansell CBE, IAM RoadSmart president and 1992 Formula 1 World Champion said: “The real heroes of the road are those who show that skill, precision and flair on everyday roads while doing it for the safety of themselves and those around them.

   “Taking the advanced driver or rider course turns good drivers into great drivers. Those who have chosen to take their skills to the next level show they have commitment and staying power. They are the real champions.”

   Earlier in the year the Institute of Advanced Motorists rebranded to become IAM RoadSmart as it prepares for the next 60 years and to appeal to the next generation of drivers.

   IAM RoadSmart recently appointed the Under 17 Car Club as an accredited course provider. Getting the good driving message should come long before a young person reaches their 17th birthday.

   For more information about the advanced driver course click here

   Currently IAM RoadSmart is offering a 10% discount off the Advanced Driver Course simply by calling 0300 303 1134 and quoting the reference RACE10. All bookings made this way will also be entered into a prize draw to win an exciting session for two on a racing simulator at Base Performance Simulators in Banbury.

    
   
   

   Nigel Mansell CBE, IAM RoadSmart president and 1992 Formula 1 World Champion

3. Strong government leadership key to breaking stagnation in road death figures, IAM RoadSmart says‏

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 6th Aug 2016

   Leading UK road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has said the government needs to make bigger efforts in the areas of drink-drive campaigning and rehabilitation, better enforcement of driving standards and increased education on road safety if we want to see any reduction on the stagnant road casualty statistics announced today (4 August) by the Department for Transport.

   The charity said that after decades of good progress, the past five years have seen a disappointing plateau which is not acceptable.

   Today’s figures show there has been no reduction in drink-drive deaths since 2010 – remaining at 240 deaths a year; there has been no reduction in total road deaths and a 2% increase in serious casualties in the past 12 months (to 31 March 2016).

   Tim Shallcross, head of technical policy at IAM RoadSmart, said: “The Government must get to grips with five years of disappointing figures now. It needs to show stronger leadership to really drive down road deaths and serious injuries in the future.

   “Road deaths are a serious issue; 35 people a week die in crashes throughout the country. In any other sphere, that would provoke national outrage, rule the headlines for months and provoke urgent government action. It happens week in week out on our roads and it merits barely a mention.

   “More action on drink driving, more on-road enforcement of driving standards and more publicity and education are urgently needed if we are to return to the gains made before 2010.

   “IAM Roadsmart urges the government to take back the initiative and put forward credible plans to address this vital issue.”

4. Don’t go searching for Pikachu on the M25, says IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 9:00am Saturday 16th Jul 2016

   With the world going Pokemon GO crazy, UK road safety charity IAM Roadsmart is urging motorists not to go on the hunt for Squirtle on Spaghetti Junction, Jigglypuff on the Hangar Lane gyratory or Magikarp on the M4.

   The new Pokemon Go mobile phone craze has swept the world this week, and is available in the UK today – but IAM RoadSmart has reminded drivers not to play the game while at the wheel of their cars. 

   The game allows you to seek out Pokemon characters in real life settings via your mobile phone. But IAM RoadSmart fears that young drivers especially could go on the search for Pikachu and his friends on the roads.

   Samson Ruwangu, IAM RoadSmart digital content executive, 23, said: “Kids and adults alike are going crazy for this game. But the risk is that some people are going to be playing it at the wrong time – and driving a car is the last place you should be looking for Pidgey, Rattata or the others.

   “I nearly tripped over playing this game. Pokemon GO makes you concentrate on catching characters and it takes both hand and eye coordination.”

   Research conducted last year by IAM RoadSmart showed the extent to which smartphone use had become an addiction to some.

   Eight per cent of drivers admitted to driving while using a video-calling application such as FaceTime and Skype to make and receive video calls, rising to 16 per cent among 18 to 24 year olds.

   It found nine per cent of drivers admitted to taking a selfie while driving within ‘the last month’. This increases to 15 per cent of young drivers aged 18-24 and 19 per cent of 25-35 year olds. Women are less selfie obsessed than men, with just five per cent of women citing they have taken a selfie while driving compared to 12 per cent of men.

   Samson added: “While looking out for Eevee, Weedle and the rest is great fun, it is important to keep concentration on what matters – and that’s keeping your eyes on the road. Psyduck can wait for later.”
   
   Full article here

5. IAM RoadSmart to drive forward tyre safety awareness as official TyreSafe supporter‏

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 30th Jun 2016

   IAM RoadSmart (formerly The Institute of Advanced Motorists), the UK's leading road safety charity with a focus on improving driving and riding skills, has become an official supporter of TyreSafe, the UK’s not-for-profit tyre safety awareness organisation.

   Formed in 1956, IAM RoadSmart has 60 years’ experience in making Britain’s roads safer by improving driver and rider skills through coaching and education. With more than 200 groups nationwide and 7000 drivers and riders actively participating in its acclaimed and widely-recognised courses, IAM RoadSmart is considered the leading advanced driver training provider in the UK. Having direct contact with thousands of motorists every day, a significant presence in the media and being a respected source of information for road safety policymakers and stakeholders, TyreSafe is delighted to welcome IAM RoadSmart to its ever-expanding network of supporters.

   IAM RoadSmart CEO, Sarah Sillars, OBE and Hon FIMI, said: “IAM RoadSmart’s mission is to improve driving and riding skills to help reduce the number of accidents and incidents on Britain’s roads. Over the course of the charity’s illustrious 60-year history, our trainers and coaches have enhanced the skills of nearly half-a-million drivers, and with our recent relaunch, we have ambitions to increase the number of participants through a broader offering. Educating drivers and riders on all aspects of road safety will remain an essential part of that, and access to TyreSafe’s expertise and materials will be a considerable asset.”

   Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, said: “IAM RoadSmart is not only the pre-eminent provider of driver training in the UK, it’s also one of the most respected names in the automotive industry. Its official support for TyreSafe reflects the growing number of organisations acknowledging the need to raise the tyre safety awareness agenda among Britain’s motorists. Tyres are one of a vehicle’s primary safety features and need regular maintenance checks to ensure they are roadworthy - we welcome IAM RoadSmart’s support in spreading this message to Britain’s motorists. ”

   In 2016, TyreSafe marks the tenth anniversary of its campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of defective and illegal tyres. The not-for-profit organisation recommends drivers check their tyres’ pressure, condition and tread depth at least once a month and before long journeys, and offers advice and information relevant to all motorists. For more information, please visit www.tyresafe.org