Safe Speed Forums

Right then brace yourselves, it’s a new year, fresh approach etc. and TripleS has been thinking, aided by a drop of nice sherry, a good lunch and some rather nice wine, so anything can happen!

[CJ mode] “I’ve been thinking. I don’t like it. I didn’t get where I am today by thinking.” [/CJ mode]

Actually, this thinking business is something I try to avoid as far as possible, as it puts too much strain on the equipment available (before somebody points this out) but one has to make the effort occasionally when faced with a good cause.

OK here’s the deal then: <Big drum roll>:

I’ve decided to initiate steps with a view to joining the Institute of Advanced Motorists. There, I knew that would shock some of you, given that I’ve been saying some quite unkind things about them for a while now. Anyhow they are a long established - and in some quarters reasonably respected - organisation that deserves some support, so I’ve decided to join (if they’ll have me) and see what I can do to help.

I therefore propose to see about joining the Scarborough group, have a few trips out with their Observer bods, and see what emerges. There is no certainty that I would pass their test, as that seems to require one to be a good driver who, according to some sources, is one who always obeys all the rules, and I am already well and truly disqualified on that account. Even so it should be interesting while it lasts, and we might be able to help each other, which would be nice.

Naturally I shall be approaching this with a completely open (no, not quite vacant) mind and I shall expect them to do the same. I’m quite prepared to work on an even handed, 50-50 basis, but I will not work on the basis that every time there is a difference of opinion they are always right and I am always wrong. Things might have been different if I were 35-40 years younger, but not now, so if this present a problem for them it’ll all come to nought.

Apart from my own involvement with them I would very much like to see the IAM, and other advanced driving organisations, doing something to address the particular problem of the high accident rates among young drivers. This is something in which I have a special interest, as about six youngsters from my own area have died in serious accidents during the past year.

Right, that’s basically it, so I’ll let you know what happens in due course, meanwhile take care.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

I've been thinking exactly the same thing, but was thinking of doing it in month or two's time. I'd be really grateful and interested to have you views on your experiences as your attitude towards it all sounds a fair bit like mine. Good luck!

Chelmsford IAM Group already do a lot with young drivers, at one time actually reducing/subsidizing the test fees !!

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OK thank you for that.

Perhaps it would be wise not to wait too long though, as I have heard that in some IAM areas there can be long delays between a new Associate joining, and the allocation of an Observer for them. In some cases people have reported having to wait many weeks before their assessment/tuition actually begins.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Brilliant. Do let us know how you get on. Blow by blow would be great.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Obviously you will be expected - broadly speaking - to adhere to all the speed limits, however daft you may think they are.

If that's something you really can't cope with, even during a course, then your involvement will be fairly short, I think.

But it will be interesting to see how you get on

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Splitting hairs I know (but that's what speed limits do) but by what are you expected to stick within the speed limit.

The speedo on our works Ford Mondeo shows over 55mph at a true 50, at a true 70 its a whisker off 80.

So I could be legally within the speed limit yet the speedometer be displaying over.

To the speed as displayed on your speedo, I would say.

If you have a GPS display that says different you might persuade them to accept that.

OK, some here may think this distinctly anal. But imagine what would happen if some person from T1650 or SSI turned up for the IAM course, and the observer said "I'm quite happy for you to do 70-75 in SC NSLs."

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Brilliant Dave

All the best for 2006 and happy driving!

And Wildy has just looked over my shoulder and I'll leave you to guess what she thinks your New Year's Resolution should also include

Seriously she has told me to wish you a very Happy New Year and she's rooting that you get "toppest success"

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This is spooky - I too am going to try and join an IAM soon to do a course on my motorbike. Perhaps a new thread for a blow-by-blow account of how the course is going?

Think I'll try for a course with the TrafPol at Tally Ho (Birmingham) first though...

Anyone got experience of a riding course with the police?

Is it just a lecture on what you should do or is it genuine 'how to ride safer' stuff?

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

Bird and I are both in the IAM (me on bikes as a member, her in cars as an associate (members have passed the test, associates have not)). I found the bikes awesome. I really had a rapport with my observer and really enjoyed the lessons. We tended to go out every other weekend but sometimes more often (when the weather was nicer or we felt like it).

My examiner was cool too. I think he was a serving traffic officer. We obeyed all speed limits when we were out apart from overtakes when I think i hit 80 something in an NSL 60

Bird is less impressed. The car lot where we are rotate observers so she never knows who she is going out with. They also have a fixed schedule, ie all lessons happen every other Sunday or something. There seems to be a variety of levels in the tuition and different observers seem to have different focuses. I think the cars is still worthwhile but given Birds experience I am a little less inclined to recommend it as much as I would the bikes.

I did a course with a police rider a few years ago and they were cool. 20s were sacrosanct 30s were 30s, 40s were 40s, 50 were 50s and NSL was whatever was safe. I felt that was fine as its pretty close to my attitude. General attitude was pretty cool too. Main aim was to really build the planning and observation skills rather than a lecture.

Right TripleS and Prof Beard, having done in 2005 what you are planning for 2006, I would say don't assume that what your observers say is always right. If you disagree with them then seek advice from people on the forum such as In Gear, then you'll get the full SP. In my experience, observers have their own interpretations of the rules. A simple one is "only a fool breaks the 2 second rule", some say it faster than others requiring you to take up a position you may feel unsafe. A senior observer told me if I didn't drive in the way he told me I wouldn't pass - I ignored his advice and duly passed with flying colours.
The problem is obviously that although observers undergo training for the role, they are all volunteers and can't be thoroughly policed to act and advise in exactly the same way. The IAM will tend to err on the side of caution and not condone any illegal or potentially unsafe practices for fear of litigation. Commonsense will indicate that you will do some things such as crossing the white line (not a continuous double) to straighten a double bend where it is safe to do so, this will be at your own risk and will not be advised by the IAM.
In reality you will be allowed to exceed the speed limit, based on what your speedo says (regardless of its accuracy), whilst overtaking as long as you return to the posted limit.
If you are willing to drive within the constraints then at the minimum you will have it confirmed or otherwise that you are a safe driver and you may or may not find that you have a lot to learn.
I'd say go for it - it's done a lot for me. Being able to say with confidence that I am a good, safe driver is pretty important to me.

Snap

We'll have to compare notes (still waiting to hear that I've benn allocated an observer).

Question - I drive an automatic is that an issue for IAM stuff?

No. So do I but I will do my IAM runs in my wife's manual. When I mentioned this to the observer for my assessment drive (who drives an auto), he said he thinks that the IAM test is more challenging in an auto than a manual. I don't quite see that myself.

I've only just seen this as I've been back working* this last couple of days, fairly long days too.

Anyhow many thanks to both of you for your kind sentiments, and a very Happy New Year to you too, a bit late though I am with that.

I think I can guess what New Year Resolution Vrenchen has in mind, and I certainly keep the matter under review.

PeterE seems to anticipate that my IAM involvement could be short, and indeed it could, for various reasons, but we'll see. It might all work out well, after all I'm not really such a troublemaker.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

* Working? Hmm. Driving new cars around = not working, to me.