RE: Stirling Moss Boosts IAM
Thursday 31st October 2002
Stirling Moss Boosts IAM
Sir Stirling lends his support to the Institute of Advanced Motorists
Discussion
As an advisory associate to the Ipswich IAM group commity, I'd like to clarify that the Special Motor Show Price for the "Skill for life Package" represents a £5 saving over the normal £75, but if you're under 25 years of age, this comes down yet further to £65.
The IAM would like to encourage younger drivers to take the test and learn how to be better drivers.
The IAM is a charitable ogansiation (member of ROSPA) that extists for the pomotion of "Saftey with Resposibility".
Much as hate to admit it, young drivers are the most at risk of having accidents, so if this group can be reached through lower prices, or other ways (its my job on our commity to come up with some) then we will be able to address the problem most effectively.
The best bit is, if we get 'em young then they shouldn't become bad older drivers. Imagine how much safer the roads would be after only a few years.
We are an organisation that actually love cars and Driving them too (One guy on our commity is let's say, er retired, but still drives his S3 Esprit every where!).
The IAM regularly Lobbies government on issues like the ever decreasing speed limits and the crazy "piggy-banks on sticks" situation.
We are not a bunch of nimby greenies who want to break every drivers spirit. In fact, all we want to give every one the skills to be able travel at the rate that they, as an indiviual, judge to be appropriate to the prevaling conditions. Whether that be faster or slower, but obviously within the confines of the law.
No one is a saint and I dare say that even after I pass my test, I may, every now and then, creep above speed limit in some situations. Even so with the lessons the IAM have taught me, I suspect that it will be less often than it would have been otherwise. When it does happen I will have an arsenel of defencive driving weapons that will help me see a threat developing, helping me to stop myself, and others getting invovled in a nasty incident.
All you other baby PH'ers, get off your collective bums and do it. You'll be shocked how much better you car feels too, being driven with real technique. Its a very satisfying achievement that you can enjoy everyday.
Mouse
The IAM would like to encourage younger drivers to take the test and learn how to be better drivers.
The IAM is a charitable ogansiation (member of ROSPA) that extists for the pomotion of "Saftey with Resposibility".
Much as hate to admit it, young drivers are the most at risk of having accidents, so if this group can be reached through lower prices, or other ways (its my job on our commity to come up with some) then we will be able to address the problem most effectively.
The best bit is, if we get 'em young then they shouldn't become bad older drivers. Imagine how much safer the roads would be after only a few years.
We are an organisation that actually love cars and Driving them too (One guy on our commity is let's say, er retired, but still drives his S3 Esprit every where!).
The IAM regularly Lobbies government on issues like the ever decreasing speed limits and the crazy "piggy-banks on sticks" situation.
We are not a bunch of nimby greenies who want to break every drivers spirit. In fact, all we want to give every one the skills to be able travel at the rate that they, as an indiviual, judge to be appropriate to the prevaling conditions. Whether that be faster or slower, but obviously within the confines of the law.
No one is a saint and I dare say that even after I pass my test, I may, every now and then, creep above speed limit in some situations. Even so with the lessons the IAM have taught me, I suspect that it will be less often than it would have been otherwise. When it does happen I will have an arsenel of defencive driving weapons that will help me see a threat developing, helping me to stop myself, and others getting invovled in a nasty incident.
All you other baby PH'ers, get off your collective bums and do it. You'll be shocked how much better you car feels too, being driven with real technique. Its a very satisfying achievement that you can enjoy everyday.
Mouse
M@H said: How does it compare with the ROSPA one ??
Having done both, my observations would be:
IAM teaches you a style of driving, effectively a best practive. RoSPA on the other hand, whilst covering a lot of the same ground is not as rigid. If you find yourself making a bit more progress than the road allows then RoSPA will let it go as long as its safe whereas IAM will suggest you should slow down.
Thats about as succint as I can put it.
Matt.
I'm just about to sit my IAM test, just waiting on a test date.
During all my observed drives (5) I have never had the opportunity to overake anything, apart from some HGV's on the motorway.
Now, I feel I've learned a fair bit even with so few drives, and I think the course has been worthwhile, however to have managed to complete (hopefully) the course without ever overtaking another car on the road is not representative of every day driving, well, not for me anyway.
I am considering moving on to the ROSPA test if I can find a group reasonably close to where I live.
Fd
During all my observed drives (5) I have never had the opportunity to overake anything, apart from some HGV's on the motorway.
Now, I feel I've learned a fair bit even with so few drives, and I think the course has been worthwhile, however to have managed to complete (hopefully) the course without ever overtaking another car on the road is not representative of every day driving, well, not for me anyway.
I am considering moving on to the ROSPA test if I can find a group reasonably close to where I live.
Fd
nonegreen said: The IAM insist that you should remain within the silly speed limit while overtaking THIS ISSTUPID!
As a charitable organisation the IAM's standpoint MUST and CAN ONLY BE that you should drive within the law. A police officer administering the test also MUST and CAN ONLY take the view that you will drive within the law. Its not their fault...its the only responsible standpoint. They might quite legitimately however view aspects of the law as being silly...but still absolutely cannot condone breaking (even a silly) law.
And we all know not all speed limits are silly.
I, personally, might take the view that some limits are ill considered...and others might well disagree with my view..but the IAM can only do that which they do on that issue.
Having said that...the IAM/ROSPA/Police System works at whatever speed...and their overtaking method works at whatever speed.
I can vouch for it.
But you can't blame 'em for saying if you break the law..it wasn't us who told you to do it...now can you.
I did the IAM test to gain knowledge and make me a better driver - it doesn't mean I stick to the speed limit everywhere, but it had made me a more observant and safer driver.
I cancelled my membership after 1 year as I only really did it for the above and to prove to myself I could do it and that I was a better driver than the average numpty.
I would suggest the ROSPA courses if you're seriously into learning how to do stuff like the Police learn. The lessons cost money though ...
BTW, having IAM made bugger all difference to my insurance - probably because I'm not 50yrs old and I don't drive a 1995 Toyota Corolla.
T/.
I cancelled my membership after 1 year as I only really did it for the above and to prove to myself I could do it and that I was a better driver than the average numpty.
I would suggest the ROSPA courses if you're seriously into learning how to do stuff like the Police learn. The lessons cost money though ...
BTW, having IAM made bugger all difference to my insurance - probably because I'm not 50yrs old and I don't drive a 1995 Toyota Corolla.
T/.
NoneGreen,
It's not the case that you cannot exeed the speed limit while on an observeed run or for that matter during your test.
I'm told in a couple of situations a blind eye may be turned depending on the context.
Fisrtly during overtaking. If you're stuck behind a 48 mph'er on NSL roads then it, as long as it's safe to do so, ok to dispatch them swiftly, as long as you drop smartly back down the speed limit afterwards, and are seen to be doing so.
The other is the 30 limit hiding round a corner. Obviously if it is an unfamiliar road and the corner's blind you will have slowed anyway, but not necessaryly down to 30. Again, if this happens, you will be judged on how you cope with the change in conditions once you become aware of them.
Where you will come unstuck is if you commit an endorsable offence during your test. like with ROSPA, IAM testers are all ex or current police drivers so cannot condone any REAL breach of the law.
As has been mentioned, the techniques undoubtedly work at any speed, and I would be a liar if I said I have not used them at velocties higher than those prescribed by the beak, but if you're really doing it properly, you'd be suprised how close to the mark alot of the limits actually are. After all, road signs cost money, so they wouldn't put them out in the middle of nowhere for nothing....piggy banks, they're another matter.
Mouse
It's not the case that you cannot exeed the speed limit while on an observeed run or for that matter during your test.
I'm told in a couple of situations a blind eye may be turned depending on the context.
Fisrtly during overtaking. If you're stuck behind a 48 mph'er on NSL roads then it, as long as it's safe to do so, ok to dispatch them swiftly, as long as you drop smartly back down the speed limit afterwards, and are seen to be doing so.
The other is the 30 limit hiding round a corner. Obviously if it is an unfamiliar road and the corner's blind you will have slowed anyway, but not necessaryly down to 30. Again, if this happens, you will be judged on how you cope with the change in conditions once you become aware of them.
Where you will come unstuck is if you commit an endorsable offence during your test. like with ROSPA, IAM testers are all ex or current police drivers so cannot condone any REAL breach of the law.
As has been mentioned, the techniques undoubtedly work at any speed, and I would be a liar if I said I have not used them at velocties higher than those prescribed by the beak, but if you're really doing it properly, you'd be suprised how close to the mark alot of the limits actually are. After all, road signs cost money, so they wouldn't put them out in the middle of nowhere for nothing....piggy banks, they're another matter.
Mouse
danger mouse said: ....
As has been mentioned, the techniques undoubtedly work at any speed, and I would be a liar if I said I have not used them at velocties higher than those prescribed by the beak, but if you're really doing it properly, you'd be suprised how close to the mark alot of the limits actually are. After all, road signs cost money, so they wouldn't put them out in the middle of nowhere for nothing....piggy banks, they're another matter.
Mouse
Just a thought and not having done any advanced driver training, I can see the reasons for reduced limits in towns etc, but a lot of the driving I do consists of cross country A roads (not D/C), where there are lots of sections where it is possible to do well in excess of the posted limit, with good sight lines etc.... So why not extend the limits there???
mondeoman said:
Just a thought and not having done any advanced driver training, I can see the reasons for reduced limits in towns etc, but a lot of the driving I do consists of cross country A roads (not D/C), where there are lots of sections where it is possible to do well in excess of the posted limit, with good sight lines etc.... So why not extend the limits there???
That's the way I see it myself. But remember to really be able to let fly on the old throttle you have to be able to
1) Stop in the distance you can see to be clear
2) Understand that whilst it may be clear now - it may not be very shortly.
Classic case recently. I was out for a country drive...and not exactly letting the grass grow. I was observing not just the road but the surroundings. We happened to pass by a tall hedge and I thought...oh aye..I can't see through that hedge into the field - I wonder what's in there. I slow down. Sure enough...I see a deer coming through the hedge and it leaps into the road. By which time I'd already slowed right down and it was no problem to stop.
So...although the road itself would be safe at XXX mph (
) once it wasn't possible to see over the hedges it was only safe at about 50mph. There was no change in the visibility up the road So. Yes. Some limits could be higher. A LOT higher. In my view. But there would still be plenty of roads where they could leave the 60mph NSL in place too.
mondeoman said:
danger mouse said: ....
As has been mentioned, the techniques undoubtedly work at any speed, and I would be a liar if I said I have not used them at velocties higher than those prescribed by the beak, but if you're really doing it properly, you'd be suprised how close to the mark alot of the limits actually are. After all, road signs cost money, so they wouldn't put them out in the middle of nowhere for nothing....piggy banks, they're another matter.
Mouse
Just a thought and not having done any advanced driver training, I can see the reasons for reduced limits in towns etc, but a lot of the driving I do consists of cross country A roads (not D/C), where there are lots of sections where it is possible to do well in excess of the posted limit, with good sight lines etc.... So why not extend the limits there???
One of the skills you are taught is to look for escape routes in case of an incdident. On the Motorway you (in theory) always have the hard shoulder (that's why you supposed to be in the slow lane) and the armco separates you from oncoming traiffic.
A roads have neither. Most of the time you are safe as there is often nothing coming the other way, so there's plenty of space. When something is coming the other way you're ok , but when you have on coming traffic and you have to swerve for roadkill/pothole/cyclist, your number's up.
I realise only a numptie would get caught out like that, but there are numpties out there...apparently, so the law is there for their and our benifit. If you feel you are above the law then fine, but don't be too shocked when MadCop pulls you over on suspicion of Numptyism!
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