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Category: IAM RoadSmart
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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.
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British Superbike star Peter Hickman has been confirmed as a special guest at the IAM RoadSmart 60th anniversary bike party on 2nd July at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
Peter, or Hicky as he is better known, races this year for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki Team and currently stands eighth in the series with one win so far. By coincidence his race number is 60 in 2016.
Peter also raced at the Northwest 200 and Isle of Man TT this year. He scored two podiums at the Northwest and became the fourth fastest rider ever at the TT this year with a 132.465mph lap in the Superbike race.
Peter will be on the ‘Stars on Stage’ discussion panel which will take place three times during the day, alongside seven times Isle of Man TT winner Mick Grant. MC for the discussion forum will be Steve Plater, 2009 British Supersport champion.
The event is a celebration of all things motorbike, while also marking the 60th birthday of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, now renamed IAM RoadSmart.
Established in 1956, the Institute of Advanced Motorists introduced its advanced motorcycle test in 1976. By 1994 more than 250,000 had taken and passed the advanced test for drivers and riders. Today more than 400,000 have passed it.
Peter will be joined for the Stars on Stage sessions, which will allow visitors to put their questions to the guests, by Mick Grant. Mick won the fearsome Isle of Man TT race seven times in the 70’s and 80’s.
MC for Stars on Stage will be Steve Plater, 2009 British Supersport champion and twice Isle of Man TT winner.
During the funday there will be a slow riding skills contest, offering the chance to show just how good you are - but keeping the speed way down. This is being looked after by Birmingham Advanced Motorcycle Group.
There will also be a marketplace featuring a number of exhibitors including Intaride, National Association of Disabled Bikers and the National Association of Blood Bikes, and the chance to stock up on memorabilia and useful bike accessories during the day.
Tickets are just £10 each which includes a barbecue lunch and a tour of the National Motorcycle Museum.
Peter Hickman said: “I am really looking forward to coming along to help IAM RoadSmart celebrate its 60th anniversary. Helping so many people become better riders is a real achievement. I know that being safe and precise was my way of becoming a winner – and using these skills on real roads is it’s just as big an achievement.”
“I applaud anyone who has become an advanced rider, and look forward to meeting so many enthusiasts this Saturday.”
Tickets are available online through our special event page or by calling 0300 303 1134.
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Two of the longest serving presenters of popular BBC motoring show Top Gear have been confirmed as panel guests for the IAM/IAM RoadSmart 60th anniversary car party on 9 July. And they will be joined by one of the organisation’s youngest representatives on the panel, who is just 18.
Chris Goffey, who co-presented from 1981-2000 and Sue Baker, who co-presented from 1980-91, will be at IAM RoadSmart’s birthday event at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon.
They will be joined on the panel by Paddy Hopkirk, legendary rally and race driver; and winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo and 1967 Acropolis Rallies. The trio will talk about their long and successful careers, share their views on current motoring and motorsport topics and take questions from the audience.
In addition, the viewpoint of the young driver will be given by our fourth panellist - 18-year-old advanced driver and IAM RoadSmart Young Driver Ambassador Eloise Peabody-Rolf.
The event will be a celebration of all things motoring, while looking at the many highlights of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and now IAM RoadSmart’s 60 years. In that time, the charity has remained dedicated to promoting safer driving initiatives and making better drivers and riders through advanced driving and riding techniques.
Established in 1956, the Institute of Advanced Motorists came onto the motoring landscape at a time when there were more than 5,000 deaths a year on UK roads. By 1994, 250,000 people had taken and passed their advanced test. Today the numbers of people killed on UK roads stands at slightly over 1,700.
To date more than 400,000 people have passed the advanced test for drivers and riders, which is delivered by over 200 local groups around the country. Those groups are ably manned by a network of more than 5,000 volunteers.
Chris said: “I am delighted to be a part of IAM RoadSmart’s 60th anniversary. I also look forward to meeting so many real enthusiasts who know so much about the UK motoring scene over the years. I’m sure myself and Sue sharing our tales of our Top Gear years will be a lot of fun.”
Added Sue, who takes her advanced test every decade to ensure her skills are up-to-date, said: “I really enjoyed my time on Top Gear, and alongside Chris and Paddy it should be a lively discussion with a lot of laughs. I am looking forward to celebrating IAM RoadSmart’s 60 years on the day.”
Eloise said: “I am happy to be a part of IAM RoadSmart’s birthday party. It’ll be great to bring a different perspective to the panel, and shows that the organisation welcomes the opinions of young people.”
For more information about the event and to book tickets online (at £10 a person), click here
Or you can book over the phone on 0300 303 1134.
IAM RoadSmart has a similar party a week earlier for biking enthusiasts. Taking place at the National Motor Museum on 2 July 2, more information can be obtained here.
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IAM RoadSmart (formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016. Over the last 60 years more than 400,000 people have taken their skills to the next level and become advanced drivers or riders with the organisation.
To mark the anniversary, IAM RoadSmart is staging two parties; one for bike enthusiasts on 2 July and another for car buffs on 9 July. Isle of Man TT winners Steve Plater and Mick Grant are attending the bike party, while rally legend Paddy Hopkirk will be special guest at the car party.
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The organisation was established in 1956. By 1995 the IAM had guided its 250,000th member through his advanced test and in the past 21 years 150,000 more have taken the opportunity to improve their skills on the road.
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In 1962 the organisation introduced the first test for commercial vehicle drivers in the UK and in 1976 the IAM introduced its first motorcycle test. A decade later it launched a fleet training programme for businesses.
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By 1998 the IAM’s 200th local group was formed; today there are 207. The local groups are the lifeblood of IAM RoadSmart, coaching and testing potential advanced drivers and riders week-in week-out. Currently there are more than 5,000 volunteers representing the groups across the UK.
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By the 2000’s the IAM was increasingly involved in lobbying the government for change in transport legislation. Its manifesto became widely respected for setting out the scene of what it regarded as the most essential developments in road safety – such as a graduated driving licence system and introducing road safety to the National Curriculum.
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In 2016 the Institute of Advanced Motorists was renamed IAM RoadSmart, and over the coming year will launch a range of products which support specific needs, to include driving at night, rural driving and motorway driving.
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IAM RoadSmart operates a commercial division which addresses the specific needs of business drivers and fleets with a suite of courses and advice. It also provides drink-drive rehabilitation courses through its Driver Retraining Academy subsidiary.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the organisation, there are two parties coming up celebrating all things bike and car – a bike party at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 2nd July and a car party at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon on 9th July.
Visitors also have the chance to have their car or bike take centre stage as part of the magnificent #60bikes and #60cars displays. IAM RoadSmart is looking for one motorcycle or scooter manufactured in each year of IAM/IAM RoadSmart’s existence for the 2nd July party, and the equivalent for the car party on 9th July.
The bike party will be attended by two legends of the British biking scene – 2009 British Supersport champion and twice winner of the Isle of Man TT race Steve Plater, and works Kawasaki and Honda rider and seven times Isle of Man TT winner Mick Grant.
Guest of honour at the car party will be none other than Mini royalty – winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo and 1967 Acropolis rallies Paddy Hopkirk.
Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “We are proud of what we’ve achieved over the past 60 years. In co-operation with our group volunteers and the willingness of the motoring and riding public, we have all worked to improve lives for the better and have seen road fatalities and injuries plummet over the decades.
“As IAM RoadSmart we are now ready for the next 60 years. There will always be a need to make better drivers and riders whatever happens to the transport landscape in the UK. Our work will only become more relevant in the future.
“Our events on 2 and 9 July will be a chance for people to celebrate their love of cars, bikes and most importantly driving. They are an important part of so many of our lives for so many reasons. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.”
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The IAM and its commercial subsidiaries rebrands to IAM RoadSmart.
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We asked 7,000 road users what their greatest challenges were on the road.
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The results will allow IAM RoadSmart to be a champion for all road users.
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IAM RoadSmart will be launching a range of new training programmes for consumers and businesses.
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Please visit the new website: www.iamroadsmart.com and watch the video of the story behind the rebrand.
IAM RoadSmart is the new name for the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) as of today. The change will unify the charity with its subsidiaries IAM Drive & Survive, Professional Driver Services and Driver Retraining Academy.
The rebrand is the result of extensive research1 which highlighted a number of key findings. Firstly, drivers’ biggest concern is actually other drivers. Safety and fuel efficiency came out as the biggest motivators for younger drivers to take further training while insurance continues to be the most effective incentive.
For forty per cent of mums and grandmothers, becoming more confident driving to unfamiliar places was described as a way they’d like to improve and while on-road training continues to be important for professional drivers, online courses are preferred by consumers. Time is also of the essence – the majority of consumers would rather training takes less than two hours.
Key facts:
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This change will be reflected by a brand new logo and image – visit www.iamroadsmart.com to get a glimpse of this new look.
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The rebranding coincides with the charity’s 60th anniversary. Its 200 local groups and 92,000 members continue to play a pivotal role in developing driving and riding standards across the country.
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Over the course of 2016 and 2017, IAM RoadSmart will be launching a number of new modular products, with proposed topics including: eco driving, motorways, risk management, driving in unfamiliar places and built-in vehicle technology.
IAM RoadSmart’s chief executive officer, Sarah Sillars OBE said: “The most important thing for the majority of drivers and riders is getting from A to B with as little hassle as possible. The daily commute, travelling to a business meeting, or the drive to the shops, can be made so much more enjoyable with just a bit more awareness of the challenges on the road ahead. This is where IAM RoadSmart comes in.
“We’ve been around for 60 years and in that time roads, vehicles and distractions have changed, in some cases, beyond all recognition. To ensure we are in a position to support Britain’s road users for the next 60 years, we’ve invested significantly into researching the needs of today’s drivers and riders.
“We will be launching a suite of new products to support the needs of all road users. The advanced driving and riding tests will remain core to what we do and will continue to be seen as the ultimate achievement, but if you just want to get more confident driving in bad weather for instance, we can help with that too.
“We’ve helped create nearly half a million better drivers and riders already and as we become recognised as IAM RoadSmart we hope to be able to help many more.”
Nigel Mansell, IAM President and Formula 1 World Champion, said: “To appeal to a new generation of drivers and riders it’s essential to understand and reflect their needs and priorities. In becoming IAM RoadSmart the IAM is taking an essential step into an exciting future, with an approach which is more relevant than ever before.
“Everyone can enjoy their driving and riding more, whether they’re a world champion or simply cover five miles a day commuting to the office. And the skills which help you with an easier journey are the same which will help to reduce the numbers of casualties on our roads. We’ve had a great 60 years; what an exciting future we all have.”
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