Circulation 625 no. 236 27th January 2009
newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
IAM Group no: 1009 Registered Charity No 289807
Run entirely by volunteers Affiliated to the IAM
Sec. 22 Highfields Close, Stoke Gifford, BRISTOL BS34 8YB
Tel: 0117 979 8061 e-mail: secretary@iam-bristol.org.uk
Bristol Group website: www.iam-bristol.org.uk
___________________________________________________________________________
What’s In This Issue? Click on title to go straight to the page
Who Does What in the Group 2
Volunteering Opportunities in the Group 2
Chairman’s Bit 3
IAM national Membership fee now £30 3
Test Successes 4
DONATE NOW ! 5
Coffee at Monthly Meetings now £1 5
Group Shop - NEW YEAR STOCK-REDUCTION SALE 6
Could you be the new Chairman ? 6
Dave Tew, deceased 7
Memories of Dave Tew 8
Recollections of Dave Tew 9
Training at Brunel Tech 1994 with Dave Tew 10
Time for a New Year Resolution ? 11
Events of 1958: Gatwick / Telephones / First Motorway 12
Driving News Updates 13
Company Drivers and the IAM Message 17
WHAT’S ON IN BRISTOL GROUP ? ? ? 20
Bristol Group Members’ Day 21
Take the IAM Advanced Driving Challenge 22
Skill for Life Course Dates 2009 22
Brunel Team hosts final Manoeuvring Heat of 2008 23
Manoeuvring Results – Team Competition 2008 24
£1,200, 623cc of throbbing 2-cylinder power – the TATA nano 25
Observers’ Meeting October 2008 27
The AGM of the national IAM 29
Lies, Damn Lies, and Speed Camera Claims –Idris Francis 33
Letters to the Editor 35
It Takes Two: Craig Rankine’s IAM Story 36
Mitsubishi Motors – advertisement 39
The Last Page – from Milestones of Winter 1958 40
Views expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent
those of the Editor, the Committee of Bristol Advanced Motorists, or the national IAM. The Group
reserves the right to edit or otherwise amend original material submitted for publication. Material
submitted may also be published on the Group website and in other IAM Group newsletters. If you
wish to reproduce any material, please credit the LINK, Bristol Advanced Motorists, as the source.
COPY DATE for the next newsletter is Saturday 21st February 2009
Send contributions to: Paul Hunt, 21 De Verose Court, Hanham BRISTOL BS15 3SW
0117 960 8494 editor@iam-bristol.org.uk
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 1
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Who Does What in Bristol Advanced Motorists
Executive Committee
Chairman Roger Stimpson 01454 299005
chairman@iam-bristol.org.uk
Secretary Martin Evans 0117 979 8061
secretary@iam-bristol.org.uk
Treasurer Paul Hunt 0117 960 8494
treasurer@iam-bristol.org.uk
Publicity Officer Geoff Bevan 01453 860365
publicity@iam-bristol.org.uk
Associates Administrator Pam Hunt 0117 960 8494
associates@iam-bristol.org.uk
Monthly Meeting Organiser Don Brown 0117 929 9316
meetings@iam-bristol.org.uk
Newsletter Editor Paul Hunt 0117 960 8494
editor@iam-bristol.org.uk
Membership Secretary James Rowland 01454 613768
membership@iam-bristol.org.uk
Shopkeeper vacant shop@iam-bristol.org.uk
or phone Secretary
Webmaster Geoff Bevan 01453 860365
webmaster@iam-bristol.org.uk
Training Administrator Margaret James 01454 776416
training@iam-bristol.org.uk
Other Post Holders
Social Events Organiser vacant events@iam-bristol.org.uk
or phone Secretary
Contact for the vacant ydn@iam-bristol.org.uk
Young Driver Network or phone Secretary
Joint Chief Observers Geoff Bevan 01453 860365
chiefobs@iam-bristol.org.uk
vacant refer to Geoff Bevan as above
Minute Taker Clare Reeves minutes@iam-bristol.org.uk
Librarian Rosemary Jarvis 0117 967 6320
Membership Development Tony Gilbert 07973 730 498
development@iam-bristol.org.uk
Group Display Boards Andrew Nicholls 01761 452613
& LINK Collation Organiser display@iam-bristol.org.uk
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES for YOU
The Bristol Group currently requires volunteer Members to assist with:
RUNNING THE GROUP SHOP,
CO-ORDINATING GROUP PROMOTIONAL EVENTS,
ORGANISING AND RUNNING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. and
BEING A YOUNG DRIVER REPRESENTATIVE
If any of these opportunities appeal to you, please contact Group Secretary,
Martin Evans. 0117 979 8061 secretary@iam-bristol.org.uk
Page 2 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Chairman’s Bit
Welcome to the first edition of Bristol Group’s newsletter, the LINK, for 2009.
A Happy New Year to you all; I hope you had an enjoyable holiday over
Christmas and New Year.
We are always looking for more Members to contribute something to the LINK.
If you have anything interesting to write about, or a Group activity to report on,
the Editor will be only too happy to receive your input.
There is an interesting series of speakers planned for the forthcoming season
of Group Monthly Meetings so please do try to come along, offer your support
and enjoy some pleasant evenings.
Vince Robertson is planning more practical driving events - manoeuvring,
treasure hunts, and advanced driving refresher sessions - throughout the
year. Keep an eye on the DIARY section to find out when and where these will
take place. Please support these events and have some fun at the same time.
Please also make a note of the date for our Bristol Group AGM, which will be
held on the 28th April in the Pavilion Lounge at BAWA. Our guest speaker is due
to be David Kenworthy, Chairman of the national IAM.
Drive safely Roger Stimpson
IAM national fee is now £30 (£28 by Direct Debit)
Council’s proposal to raise the annual national IAM Full Membership fee from
£18 to £30, for renewals from January 1st, 2009, was passed at the IAM AGM.
This places local IAM Groups in an interesting, maybe difficult, situation. We
are now left wondering to what extent that increase may influence national
Members to lapse over the next two years, and in turn what knock-on effect
that may have on local Group membership levels over the same period.
In Bristol Group, we are in a relatively strong position, having stabilised after
losing our Motorcycle members to the new Motorcycle Group two years ago, and
currently on a positive note coming to the end of our 50th Anniversary year.
Increased membership fees will probably also be applied to Skill for Life prices.
Recruitment of Associates has been ‘flat’ recently, and also conversion of Test
successes into Group Full Members has been severely reduced by the
“upgrading” administration of Associates dictated by national IAM. News on
new Skill for Life prices and administration rules are expected any time now.
I am including in this issue a piece about the IAM national AGM. However,
because Groups have no say in the national IAM (only individual IAM Members
have a say) the report is of necessity a personal view. Paul, the Editor.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 3
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Test Successes by Pam Hunt
Congratulations to the following Associates, who have
passed their IAM Advanced Driving Test since the
November issue of the LINK. We hope that all of you will
continue your interest in Advanced Driving and Road
Safety by remaining with us in Bristol Advanced
Motorists as Group Full Members, and may even consider
becoming more involved.
ASSOCIATE OBSERVER
FEBRUARY COURSE 2008
FLORA BOYD TIM SPARKS
JENNY HOLE ROGER STIMPSON
APRIL COURSE 2008
GEOFF MATTHEWS JOHN BODDEY
KEZIA BEAMENT MARLENE BAKER
GEORGE SHORT NICK FINERTY
JULY COURSE 2008
BARNABY HARDING MARGARET JAMES
JAMES HARRIS TONY GILBERT
Keith Tippett
(on the left)
is presented
with his IAM
Certificate by
Bristol Group
Secretary
Martin Evans.
photo:
Geoff Bevan
Observers – please note that the first two classroom sessions for the January
course are Wednesdays January 28th and February 4th. The third session is
“Meet an Examiner”, on Wednesday March 18th at 7:30pm, at BAWA, and
is an opportunity to meet an Examiner, ask
questions, and perhaps confirm what you already
advise Associates.
Page 4 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
DONATE NOW !
BRISTOL ADVANCED MOTORISTS IS A REGISTERED CHARITY.
This may be a secondary consideration to those Members who see it as a club, a
focus for Members of the IAM (who have already passed the IAM advanced
driving test), providing a channel for them to continue their interest and
enthusiasm for driving in a fun way, whilst still concentrating on the improved
vehicle control and driving skill that IAM membership brings.
Bristol Advanced Motorists is however today best known for the Skill for Life
advanced driving course and the IAM advanced driving test, and our main
activity is to encourage members of the public to become advanced drivers
through undertaking a Skill for Life advanced driving course, maybe starting
with a one-session taster, called DriveCheck.
The course presenters and 40 fully-trained mentors, or Observers, who provide
the individual in-car advanced driving coaching, are volunteers. This advanced
driving guidance is provided on a NOT-FOR-PROFIT CHARITY BASIS,
We obtain finance from membership fees, but we are also looking towards
fund-raising methods to raise cash.
One method is to encourage our Full Members to pay their membership fees by
Bank Standing Order, to hopefully ensure continuing yearly payment.
We encourage Members and Associates to sign-up to the Gift Aid Scheme,
whereby we can reclaim extra money at no extra cost from the Inland Revenue.
The Group also undertakes occasional individual Fund-raising efforts and is
licensed under the Gambling Act by South Gloucestershire Council to do so.
However, we are open to receiving DONATIONS. Complete a Gift
Aid Declaration form and your DONATION is worth even more.
(Forms are available from us as hard copy, or in electronic form.)
Please send your DONATION to us via the Bristol Group Secretary:
Martin Evans, 22 Highfields Close, Stoke Gifford, BRISTOL BS34 8YB
Tel: 0117 979 8061 e-mail: secretary@iam-bristol.org.uk
Registered Charity No 289807 Affiliated to the IAM
Coffee at Monthly Meetings is now £1
Due to changes in procedure at BAWA, coffee at our Monthly Meetings is now
provided on a self-serve basis, with an ‘honesty box’ provided for payment. The
cost per cup will rise with effect from the January Monthly Meeting from 80p
to a new price of £1. Note that even this price does not completely cover the
cost of providing coffee on this basis.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 5
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Group Shop by the Treasurer
NEW YEAR STOCK-REDUCTION SALE
Bristol Group has an opportunity for a volunteer to operate as SHOPKEEPER.
This is in interesting little job for someone who can commit to attending most
Monthly Meetings, and sessions One and Two of each Associate Course.
The Shop operates at Associate Course seminars, turning over large numbers of
Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs, Roadcraft books and Roadcraft DVDs,
At Monthly Meetings the Shop offers exclusive IAM-branded accessories,
books and clothing sourced from the IAM Branded Goods Collection. Buy from
the Group Shop instead of direct from the IAM, save postage costs, and
contribute a little profit to Group Funds. It can be a “nice little earner” for the
Group. But the Shopkeeper has a reasonably free hand at supplying other goods.
E.g. Observer mirrors, yellow jackets and embroidered “Bristol Group” clothing.
The Group is looking to release stock which is tying-up space and Group Funds,
offering it for sale by phone or e-mail, at cost price or less.
ON CERTAIN ITEMS, NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED.
Items available include:
Car Badges (metal) Brooches Lapel Pin badges
Cloth Badges (sew-on) GB stickers Pens
Bristol Group Embroidered Clothing (various stock sweatshirts, polo shirts)
Mousemats and many other items
(Individual new orders for non-sale embroidered clothing also taken)
For details please contact Group Secretary, Martin Evans. 0117 979 8061
secretary@iam-bristol.org.uk
Could YOU be the new Chairman?
Our current Group Chairman, Roger Stimpson, has announced that he will not be
standing for re-election at the AGM in April, due to other personal commitments
in his busy life.
This gives an opportunity for someone else to step forward into the essential
role, and the Group Secretary is seeking Nominations for a new Chairman. The
Chairman needs to be well-acquainted with the organisation of the IAM and the
running of a Group. He (or she) should lead by example, and be in the forefront
of Group activities. This will involve chairing monthly committee meetings,
fronting the Group’s Monthly Meetings, and putting-in an appearance at as many
Group events as possible, particularly at least one session of each Associate
course. On the odd occasion, he (or she) will lead urgent Officers’ meetings
when urgent decisions have to be made out of committee.
Page 6 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Dave Tew
We are sorry to tell you that Dave Tew
passed away on 23rd November 2008, which
was actually his 56th birthday.
The image here is of Dave in 1992, when he
was President of Bristol Group IAM, and how
our Members of the period best remember
him. Dave was one of the few qualified as
Police Advanced Driving Instructor for both
cars and motorcycles. During the 1990s Dave
gave practical help as an instructor for our
Observers. Dave was also an Examiner for
our colleague organisation RoSPA.
image credit: Gary Davis
Dave had deeply held views on road safety and driving standards and preferred
education to enforcement. He was keen to help drivers both to develop their
driving standard and then to maintain it, to prevent them becoming “badge
carriers with lapsed standards”. Dave was a large man, of forbidding
appearance, but he always had a sense of humour.
Dave was in the Police for over 20 years, including some time in the armed
response unit, during which he was commended for bravery. He was a keen
motorcyclist, and was for some time a Motorcycle Patrol Officer. Some 30
years ago, along with Lesley Organ and Dave Gollicker of the then Avon County
Council, he was a founder of independent club, Avon Advanced Motorcyclists.
Dave was forced to take early retirement from the Police some ten years ago,
and in recent years had battled with a rare form of cancer. Dave became
passionate about helping others with the same ailment and formed his own
charity, Let’s Beat Cancer, to raise awareness and raise money for the ‘Quiet
Cancer’ Therapy appeal at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
Dave’s Funeral Service was on 9th December at the ‘hidden’ St Michael’s Church
at Clapton in Gordano. Around 200 mourners attended, including many from the
Police, RoSPA, Avon Advanced Motorcyclists and seven of us from the IAM
Bristol Group who remembered Dave from the 1990s. Also present were three
Morris Men in full dress – Dave was also a Morris Man!
Dave would like to be remembered as, “A good bloke, friendly and helpful.” He
leaves wife Lauren, son Mark and daughter Hannah.
Donations in Dave’s memory can be made to Let’s Beat Cancer via funeral
directors Hallidays on 01275 842120 or the website www.letsbeatcancer.co.uk
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 7
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Memories of Dave Tew by Gary Davis
I’m not too proud to say that I can hardly write this piece without some tears in
my eyes. When I rang round some IAM friends to let them know of Dave’s
death, I soon found that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Paul Hunt’s
piece (previous page) has given a brilliant summary of Dave’s contributions to
Advanced Driving and Riding. I would like to add to that, by giving some personal
memories of Dave.
I heard of Dave by reputation before I ever met him. Perhaps that was just as
well; with a chap like Dave it’s good to be prepared! I remember discussing some
point of driving with Brian Aichelor after an observed drive, which led to a
discussion of Dave and ‘his’ way of doing things, “Haven’t you met Dave Tew yet?
Oh, he’s just a great guy”. This was said with a mixture of respect and deep
affection, and gave a hint of the type of person I was destined to meet. I think
it was the FAD (Further Advanced Driving) Course where I first met the great
man himself. I remember countering the adherence to the letter of some point
of driving by saying, “But surely in the spirit of things we don’t have to stick to
the letter of that rule. . . . ” During the rest of the course I was nicknamed
“The Spirit of Things” but this mickey-taking was done in a friendly way.
Then there were the RoSPA tests. I was devastated to only get a Bronze in my
first test but Dave was brilliant. Sensing how upset I was he devoted the rest
of his day to putting me on the right track. We had a fish and chip lunch then
Dave drove my Citroen BX GTi round the same route giving a superb
demonstration drive and pointing out where I could have done things better. It
was one of the proudest days of my life, when, the following year (1993) I took a
re-test with Dave and got a Gold. Ever since that day I have achieved Gold
grades on my retests and that is due, in no small part, to Dave’s original advice.
It was mentioned by Dave’s colleague Percy Pollard at the funeral that Dave was
often known as ‘Uncle Dave’ and that bought back memories of being in the car
with Dave myself. “You don’t have to worry about that Gary, you’re with ‘Uncle
Dave’ now”. Another memory, after having committed some small error behind
the wheel, is of being told, “If you were a one of my trainees you’d have to buy
the doughnuts for that!”.
As Paul pointed out in his piece, Dave was also a Morris Dancer. I recall him
telling us of a time when his group was dancing on College Green in Bristol in
front of the Swallow Royal Hotel. I forget what the event was in aid of, but
someone from the hotel called the police to complain about the noise and was
told, “That’s OK sir, an officer is already in attendance!”; they didn’t say of
course that the officer in question was one of the Morris Dancers!
No piece about Dave is complete without mentioning the great love and pride he
had for his wife Lauren, daughter Hannah and son Mark. Dave positively glowed
when he talked about the three of them and their achievements.
Page 8 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Dave came with me to choose my new car in May of this year (2008). It was a
great day and we both revelled in the luxury of having set aside time to just talk
about, drive and generally immerse ourselves in motors for the whole day. As
with the first time Dave devoted a day to helping me I felt privileged that he
had chosen to spend the time on me. I knew Dave was very ill, of course, but he
put all his energy into ‘my day’ and, a casual observer who didn’t know Dave would
not have known how ill he was. The next day when I rang him to discuss some
follow up point, it was obvious that all that effort expended the previous day
had taken its toll. Unfortunately Dave was too ill for me to visit him in the
hospice at the end of his life so I’d like to end this article by saying what I
would have liked to say to him.
Dave, thanks for your brilliant friendship.
Recollections of Dave Tew by Joan Tolley
Dave was a committed and dedicated Advanced Police Driver. He was also a
sensitive man. He was not only affected by the fatal coach crash he attended as
an Officer - - - - it was an extremely severe crash on the M4 (now M48) near
Bristol and thirteen passengers were killed - - - - but also, at some stage, by
having to report seven motor accident deaths in one week to the relatives.
What upset him about these seven deaths was that they were all caused by
excessive speeding, and were quite unnecessary. Dave was fundamentally
opposed to excessive speeding by the public and gave at least one talk to the
Bristol IAM Group where he came armed with a ball of string and during his talk
proceeded to demonstrate – by unwinding the string along the room – stopping
distances at various speeds - - - - to the astonishment of many in the audience.
It was a very vivid way of showing stopping distances and it hit home!
The Observer and Further Advanced Driving Courses run by the Bristol Group in
the 1990’s could not have been run so successfully without the help and
assistance of several of the County of Avon Motorway Police Drivers who gave
so freely of their time and expertise. Dave was one of these. The purpose of
the FAD courses was to give IAM Members full recognition as Observers, so
they in turn could help members of the public to take and pass the IAM Test
and so become safer drivers. Over many courses Dave gave us the benefit of his
knowledge of driving, and he also gave demonstration drives to illustrate the
points he was making. His personality and enthusiasm made it all a rewarding and
enjoyable learning experience.
Dave was always pleasant to be with. My greatest sympathy goes to Lauren and
her family.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 9
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Training at Brunel Tech 1994 by Paul Hunt
It was nice to be contacted by Joan Tolley, who now lives on Lancashire’s Fylde
Coast. In the 1990s Joan was Bristol Group’s Training Secretary, organising
Observer Training. Reading her piece prompts me to recall the time when I
experienced training, Dave Tew style.
In 1994, the IAM issued a new ‘standard’ national Observer training regime and
introduced the new ‘Senior Observer’ category. Bristol was well-organised in
Observer Training - and a number of Team Leaders, Assistants, and other
Observers who assisted with our PRC courses for the public, were ‘volunteered’
to be the first candidates for the Senior Observer Test. That’s how I found
myself in a classroom, looking at Dave Tew out at the front.
We were volunteers, but Dave ran the classroom sessions at Brunel Tech on
Ashley Down very professionally and business-like. Dave also gave us “homework
questions”, the answering of which consisted of copying-out Roadcraft, in
longhand, word-for-word. It took ages, and 2 or 3 pads of A4 paper, but Dave
reckoned writing things down was the best way to remember things.
Dave's demonstration drive in a marked Police patrol car was interesting, and I
still vividly remember it 14 years on. We progressed at a great speed, and Dave
gave a commentary demonstrating driving the Roadcraft way. For example, he
showed us pull-push steering one hand at a time on the curve on the Keynsham
by-pass, at very high speed. In commentary he said he was going to use the
System to leave the motorway – but we were already at the 100 yard marker -
and in traffic, out in lane 3, doing a great rate of knots. But he achieved it
smoothly and safely. Dave said if he could do these extreme things easily, then
we ‘students’ should be able to apply the same Roadcraft principles and put up a
good safe show when driving normally and at much lower speeds.
Later in the drive Dave talked about what he could see happening in Pensford -
when we were still a mile away, and the others of us in the car couldn't see
anything at all through the trees. It certainly impressively brought home to me
what ‘Observation’ and ‘Planning’ was all about.
If I remember correctly, all of the 14 on the course went on to pass their
Senior Observer Tests; Dave’s enthusiasm must have transferred to us all.
Dave often said that his aim was to help drivers both to develop their driving
standard and then to maintain it, to prevent them becoming “badge carriers with
lapsed standards”, So, Bristol Group Members, how about bearing that
sentiment in mind, and taking advantage of the offer on the opposite page?
Page 10 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Time for a New Year Resolution? by Tony Gilbert
A tough, but important question for the membership: Is your driving better or
worse than when you passed your IAM Test? If your answer is anything other
than “I don’t know”’, on what do you base that opinion?
Once the Test is passed, the IAM qualification lasts as long as your membership.
There is no obligation to maintain the standard or undertake any further
training – the onus is on the individual to maintain their own level.
It is natural that over time things will slip slightly - bad habits can be re-
established and current best practice moves on. Unchecked, this situation risks
devaluing the status of the IAM as a mark of good driving.
No one can be pupil, teacher and examiner at the same time, so the only reliable
way to maintain standards is with occasional checking and advice. Bristol Group
is keen to help its members with this, but the Three-in-a-car sessions,
Manoeuvring Competitions and Treasure Hunts of last year attracted
disappointing numbers, despite pretty much universal approval from those who
did attend.
There is a danger that we become a club for people who were once good drivers,
but who now simply pay the subs and display the badge.
So, how about making one of your New Year Resolutions to check that you are
still an Advanced Driver? There will be a number of events over the course of
the year and we’ll be trialling a new format for Three-in-a-car sessions. These
are the easiest way for existing Group Full Members to get friendly advice and
feedback on their driving and check they’re still up to scratch.
The Three-in-a-car format allows for discussion and advice, driving your own car
and then being a passenger with two others. The tone is friendly and positive,
and I have yet to attend a single session where I haven’t learned something.
This year there will be fewer events, but each one will be larger and will take
place over a full day - details are still to be finalised. Members are likely to be
able to choose the time they attend – the previous time of 10.30am on a Sunday
was a problem for many.
Also new for this year is the proposed Members’ Day to be held at BAWA on
June 13th. Regional Staff Examiner Andy Poulton will be gathering a number of
fellow Examiners and Police Drivers together to make themselves available for
drives with members. More details are on page 21 of this issue - this will be the
perfect opportunity to gain access to an Examiner without having to take a test.
Finally, if you can’t make it to one of the events, feel free to get in touch with
me at development@iam-bristol.org.uk and I’ll do my best to sort something out
on an individual basis.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 11
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Events of 1958 – the year Bristol Group was founded
Bristol Group IAM was formed on February 6th, 1958. Throughout 2008 we
have mentioned in the LINK events of 1958 to put that in context. But three
events promising big advances in communications occurred in 1958.
9 June 1958: HMQ OPENS REVAMPED GATWICK
The Queen opened London's new and extended ‘second airport’ at Gatwick. Her
Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived by air from Heathrow, and walked to
the main airport building through the pier or ‘finger’ that allows passengers to
get to their planes under cover - the first such structure built at a British
airport. Gatwick had been closed for five years for the works and claimed to be
the first airport in the world to have both trunk road and rail access. Transport
and Civil Aviation Minister Harold Watkinson said that ”fascinating possibilities
are in front of us as new types of aircraft bring the Commonwealth, and indeed
the whole world, closer together in the new air age that lies ahead."
December 5th 1958: HMQ USES A DIRECT-DIAL TELEPHONE
On December 5th 1958 at 11:00 a.m. the Queen made the first subscriber
direct-dialled telephone call on the GPO network. She made the call from the
central Bristol telephone exchange, in Telephone Avenue, Bristol, to Edinburgh,
without going via an Operator, to 031 CAL 3636 and spoke for one minute to the
Lord Provost of Edinburgh. She then switched-on Bristol as the first STD
exchange, making 18,000 Bristol subscribers the first to be able to make direct-
dial calls. A little later, on September 5th 1959, Bristol also became the first
place to have a direct-dial public call box. A little less pioneering, so this time it
was the deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol who made the first call, this time to the
Lord Mayor of London.
STD was introduced by Postmaster General Ernest Marples as an expensive
project to popularise use of the telephone: back in 1958 no-one quoted their own
phone number – because few other people had access to one! Letter-writing was
the standard means of communication. The last manual exchange did not close
until 1976. In those first years, only about 80% of STD calls were successful,
and after dialling you could wait for up to up to 40 seconds for connection.
Phones remained exclusive and expensive for many years – even until the 1980’s.
In 1958 the GPO had 50,000 Operators. Today there are 550 ‘manual operator
assistants’ on the UK phone network. It has been estimated that if all landline
telephone calls had to go through an Operator today, even with other increases
in technology, more than half a million Operators would be needed.
December 5th 1958: BIRTH OF THE UK MOTORWAY SYSTEM
On 5th December 1958, Preston By-Pass,
Britain's first motorway, was opened.
More in the next issue of the LINK.
Logo courtesy of cbrd.co.uk
Page 12 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Driving News Updates by the Editor
MOTORWAY ADVANCE DIRECTION SIGN CHANGES
The motorway ADS
1 mile before a junction
>>
With destination name,
same as the ½mile ADS
The Department for Transport has recently replaced most of the 1 mile ADS
(Advance Direction Signs) on motorways in the West of England. The work was
originally intended to be completed nationally by 01 January 2005.
Traditionally, the 1 mile ADS has shewn only the road number, but the new signs
also show the main destination(s) off the junction, as do the half mile ADS. This
has been done as part of the Highways Agency national strategy to reduce
traffic delays and improve safety on motorways. Because motorway drivers
approaching junctions will now be informed about off-motorway destinations
earlier, it is hoped that lane discipline will be improved in advance of junction
exits and the risk of drivers making late manoeuvring decisions will be reduced.
MOTORWAY HARD SHOULDER BARRIERS
It used to be that the metal ‘Armco’ safety barriers
protecting structures on or near the hard shoulder
(bridge pillars, etc.) started and finished with sections
angled towards the verge. Since Autumn 2007 however,
such barriers have been altered to a seemingly more
hazardous pattern, so that the leading edge is not now angled, but starts
squarely, with a new yellow and black striped warning on the leading end.
HAS YOUR PHOTOCARD LICENCE EXPIRED ?
The first UK photocard driving licences were issued
in 1998, and 300,000 expired in 2008, yet as many
as half of drivers are unaware the photo requires
updating every 10 years. Unlike paper licences, most
of which were valid until age 70, photocard licences
have a 'valid until' date (item 4b on the front, boxed
in the illustration), before which time motorists must pay £17.50 for a new card
with a new photo. The expiry date of entitlement (usually 70th birthday) is also
printed on the card (on the back), confusing matters. Using an expired licence is
an offence; you must have a current one. However, the ABI confirms that
insurance is not made invalid by an expired photocard, and the DVLA has now
decided to issue reminders to all drivers whose photocards are due to expire.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 13
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
RAMP METERING IS HERE
The Highways Agency is installing part-time ramp metering lights at 70 UK
motorway sites in an £18million project lasting through 2008 and 2009.
This is an American term meaning the regulation of the amount of traffic joining
a motorway by the use of traffic lights on the entry slip roads (or ramps, in USA
parlance). It has been used for 40 years in the USA, and has also been used in
Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Congestion can occur when large
platoons of vehicles attempt to join from the slip road when there is already
heavy traffic on the motorway. The ramp metering lights release just a few
vehicles at a time down the slip road, to prevent joining and mainline traffic
from bunching together and forming a bottleneck that delays everyone. Sensors
in the motorway and slip road monitor the congestion and adjust the timing of
the lights, which are usually part-time, working during times of heavy traffic.
A trial was carried out at M6 junction 10 as long ago as 1986, and further trials
were carried out in 1997. From 2007, schemes have been installed in the West
Midlands and North of England on the M5, M6, M62, M60, M56, M1 and M42.
The new installations will be made on M1 and A1 (M), on the M25, and at several
junctions on the M4 and M3 at the London end.
SUPERLORRIES NOT TO BE ALLOWED IN THE UK
Proposals to introduce significantly longer, heavier, vehicles (LHVs) have been
rejected by Government, on the grounds that a number of issues would make
them impractical – junction layout, safety, transfer of freight from rail to road,
lack of efficiency through difficulty of finding return loads.
However, the UK Government sees benefit in increasing the length of artics
from 16.5m to 18.75m (the same as is permitted for drawbar trailer
combinations) with maybe an allowed weight increase from 44 to 46 tonnes (to
allow the same payload as now). More volume of light loads will be able to be
carried. EU consultations will now drag on for years. . . .
Kögel’s Big-MAXX trailer, on trial in Czech Republic and Germany, has an added 1.3m
(the red bit at the back) taking overall length to 17.8m. The UK Government is
proposing an extra 0.95m extra on top of this. image credit: Big Lorry Blog
Page 14 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
UNLIT KEEP LEFT BOLLARDS
‘Standard’ bollard ‘Rebound’ TMP Flecta ‘Tubular Steel’ Furnitubes ‘Invincible’
We are used to the normal ‘keep left’ sign, an underground light unit topped by
an illuminated (usually plastic) bollard. Other types are now appearing, most
relying on reflective material. The first is the ‘rebound’ type, such as the TMP
Flecta, which is flexibly-mounted at the base and pivots if hit. These have been
used in rural Ireland for several years. In open country they are easily seen,
but recent installations in urban or heavier traffic areas are not so easily seen,
because the right cut-off of dipped headlights does not always pick them up.
More sinister are those non-illuminated signs inflexibly-mounted on metal posts,
which are a hazard, especially to motorcyclists. An example is the ‘Furnitubes’
type with a frame of light steel tubing of 2” diameter. Both these new types
can be seen locally, for example on the A38 near Weston.
Lastly, there is the considerably more solid ‘Invincible’ type, illuminated or not,
mounted on a 6” diameter steel post. Most are installed in the North of England.
THE GREEN LIGHT AT HANHAM MOUNT SHINES AGAIN
The green light, atop its 80ft mast, can once again be seen from around Bristol,
up to 20 miles away. The replacement light was switched-on during BBC Points
West news on November 15th, 2007 by Sally Challoner and Richard Angwin.
Persecuted non-conformists had held open-air religious meetings in the remote
mining settlements in Kingswood Forest in the 1600s, but Hanham Mount, now
surrounded by urban housing, is famous as being one of the sites where
Methodists George Whitefield and John Wesley first preached in the open air
in 1739. Their ministry of Methodism drew crowds of up to 1500 at a time,
mostly miners who came from their hovels in Kingswood.
In Festival of Britain Year, 1951, the site was paved, a replica pulpit was
installed and a beacon was erected, to celebrate the light that Wesley brought
into the lives of local people. However, in November 2006 the mast was
condemned as unsafe due to corrosion in the 80ft mast, similar to the corrosion
affecting thousands of steel lamp posts erected since the Second World War.
The new beacon gives a clearer light from hundreds of small LED lamps rather
than the old phosphor tubes.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 15
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
NEW MOTORWAY PHONES
The Highways Agency is in the process of replacing 6,500 emergency phones on
motorways and trunk roads in England with high-tech modern units. Highway
Code rule 275 says phones are one mile apart, but it is believed this rule has
been relaxed, because the actual observed distance between new phones varies
between 0.6 and 1.6 miles. In a previous refurbishment, some UK motorway
phones were placed 1km (0.625 miles) apart (as is the norm in Eire). The
standard in continental Europe is a 2km (1.25 miles) separation.
BIOFUELS – THE RENEWABLE TRANSPORT FUEL OBLIGATION
From 15th April 2008, under the Government's
Climate Change Programme, all UK transport fuel
supplied from forecourts has had to contain an
average of 2.5% Biofuel, rising to 3.75% in April
2009 and to 5% by 2010 (since delayed until
2013). This obligation will be met by blending
bioethanol with all unleaded petrol, and biodiesel
with all diesel, Biofuel has been included in
French, German and Irish fuel for some years.
Owners of existing vehicles have little, if anything, to worry about. Petrol
and Diesel bought from a petrol station pump with biofuels already blended at a
rate up to 5% can almost certainly be used safely in today's UK road vehicles
(even if not mentioned in the handbook), and will have little effect on an engine.
At concentrations above 10% though, combustion and economy may suffer, the
engine may run hotter and emit more nitrous oxide, and fuel system seals may be
damaged. High-percentage E85 fuel (85% ethanal, 15% petrol, which is suitable
for a few specialist cars only) is available on a very few UK forecourts. Some
manufacturers state that specific diesel car models can use higher biodiesel
concentrations (say, 30%). But high percentage or pure biodiesel is only
available from specialist small industrial outlets, or private company bunkers.
Serious concerns surround biofuels, and, in response, the DfT has commissioned
two reviews into UK biofuel policy beyond 2010. Whilst re-using old vegetable
oil as diesel fuel may be a good environmental idea, growing crops especially to
produce fuel contributes to rising food prices, wildlife habitat damage,
irreversible tropical deforestation and land/water damage resulting in a net
increase of C02 emission, and human rights abuses (indigenous people faced with
clearance from their land to make way for plantations). Fuel use and pollution by
fertilizer in biofuel production has not been taken into account, which makes a
switch to biofuel completely pointless. And there is the problem of the
Americans subsidising biofuel production, making it uneconomic to process
biofuels in Europe. The UK Government is to encourage development of two new
biofuel technologies, pyrolysis conversion of waste and algae as a feedstock,
because they are higher-yielding and not so environmentally damaging.
Page 16 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Company Drivers & the IAM Message by Paul Hunt
Early in 2008, news filtered down that national IAM (Charity side) had
appointed two Sales and Publicity Officers whose jobs were to include raising
the profile of the IAM’s Charity side with IAM’s corporate clients and selling
Skill for Life and Wheels to employees of these organisations, calling on Groups
to provide assistance as and when needed.
Bristol Group’s first contact with this initiative came in November when Regional
Coordinator Richard Furneaux called, asking for assistance with “some sort of
company car driver event organised by Balfour Beatty”. So, at short notice,
Geoff Bevan and Paul Hunt turned up at the Ramada Grange Hotel in
Winterbourne in time to set-up a table ready for the 08:00am. start.
Driving into the
car park, we found
27 vans and
trucks, mostly
3.5tonne Ford
Transit vans, some
with mini-diggers
on trailers, and a
few Ford 7.5tonne
dropside trucks
fitted with grabs
to handle spoil,
gravel, etc.
What was actually going down was a Road Safety Roadshow for blue-collar
drivers of Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions.
Nicholas Dalby-Welsh, one of the new IAM corporate sales managers, came
along and together we made sure that Skill for Life Car and Motorcycle leaflets
were in each Balfour Beatty ‘goody bag’ that each driver would be given. We also
set up an IAM literature display table along with our pull-up banners.
The ‘event’ then started. Balfour Beatty Utility Services’ Driver Risk Manager,
Dave Washbourne, started his 1½ hour presentation by introducing us to the
assembled throng, and saying we would be at the back to talk to afterwards. But
that was the last mention the IAM got. The presentation ended rather
abruptly, and all but three of the drivers walked out without talking to us,
although several grabbed the free IAM key rings and pens. Many of the ‘goody
bags’ and the road safety paperwork were left on the seats, although the
drivers did take the free windscreen scrapers, pens, key rings and air-
fresheners.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 17
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Being there representing the IAM was a surreal experience, because the
presentation content did not contain any individual driving risk assessment or
training. Instead, it was a general ‘talking at’ format using material centred on
BRAKE Road Safety Week, on the 2008 BRAKE campaign theme, which was:
Protect the ones you love - family and workmates.
For those who don’t know, BRAKE is a ‘campaigning’ charity set up in the wake of
some serious accidents involving faulty Heavy Goods Vehicles. Its objectives are
1) to reduce death on the roads, and 2) to support families affected by crashes.
It has some unrealistic anti-motorist aims, such as calling for the SP30 speeding
offence to be replaced by careless or dangerous driving, and calling for the
basic fine for speeding to be increased from £60 to £1,000. The organisation
seems to have no presenters of its own, but supplies material for others to use.
The main part of Balfour’s presentation consisted of a DVD produced by BRAKE
and showing a talk by Eddie Woods, a Clinical Hypnotherapist specialising in
safety culture, from the organisation MindSafety. The talk was designed to
change attitudes to risk and safety whilst at work, particularly driving. At the
same time, it was emphasised that whilst few general accidents occur at work,
60 people are killed on the roads each week, one third involving a company
vehicle, and particular aspects of road safety and driver behaviour of concern to
companies were woven into the talk, including vehicle checks, seat belts, speed
limits, mobile phone use, fatigue, tyres and alcohol. This was a useful
presentation, and the concepts could be used with advantage in IAM training.
Another item was a 10-minute DVD produced by the FTA (Freight Transport
Association) on vehicle checking. It had some useful content, but some of the
elements were confused – adjusting mirrors before seats, and checking inside
before getting out again to check the outside. Also, no mention was made of
loading or load security. Apparently that is a different Health and Safety topic
and so is not considered in vehicle checks before driving off !
Balfour Beatty Utility Services has 6,000 employees and 3,200 vehicles. They
claim to have spent £350,000 on driver training in 2008, and they have won a
BRAKE award for ‘Road Safety in the Community’. That seems impressive, but
when you take out a couple of salaries and consider the cost of travelling and
hiring hotel rooms for these ‘talking at’ presentations, one can ask whether it is
effective or whether it even meets the HSE requirements for driver risk
assessment / rectification / instruction. Apparently BBUS only applies direct
assessment to drivers involved in incidents, and their ‘Road Safety’ activity
seems to overlap with other Health and Safety and procedural issues.
Page 18 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
We attended a
second session in
the afternoon, at
the Webbington
at Axbridge,
(shown right)
where a repeat
performance took
place with 23 more
drivers. Again,
there was minimal
interest, but one
chap said he was a motorcyclist and had been thinking about taking advanced
guidance, so we pointed him in the direction of his local IAM Motorcycle Group,
Plymouth Advanced Motorcyclists.
We chatted with the other BBUS
presenter, Nicola Barrowclough,
pictured left with Geoff Bevan.
Despite being involved with the Road
Safety presentations, she had done
no advanced driver training, and
indeed had recently had a reversing
collision in her company car. So we
encouraged her to take IAM
guidance with her local Group. She
then left to drive home to Barnsley,
in Yorkshire. all photos: Paul Hunt
It could be said that it was a complete waste of time for us to attend, apart
from talking to (and maybe recruiting) the Motorcyclist and Nicola. You have
really got to ask why the IAM Charity side is bothering to waste time and effort
on activities like this. It is an uphill struggle to promote the IAM to company
employee-drivers, particularly the blue-collar segment, especially when the
company itself does not actively promote the IAM to its employees. The main
question asked of us was, “Will the company pay for advanced driving courses?”.
The company didn’t mention anything in the presentation,
but we later found out they would in fact pay “the Group
Associate fee of Skill for Life”, whatever that means.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 19
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
DIARY - What’s On in Bristol Advanced Motorists
JANUARY
Tue 27 Monthly Meeting John Bates, IAM Member
John will give a talk entitled Collectibles with a Difference
The audience will be offered a hands-on experience with some
artefacts and be invited to guess their purpose.
Wed 28 Associate Course 2009/1 first session (pre-booking essential)
Sat 31 Region One Liaison Forum meeting – venue in Bristol
FEBRUARY
Wed 04 Associate Course 2009/1 second session (pre-booking essential)
Tue 10 Executive Committee Meeting
Tue 24 Monthly Meeting Road Rage and Conflict Resolution
Neil Denny, a solicitor from Mogers, Bath. His speciality is Family
and Matrimonial, which incorporates ‘Conflict Resolution’.
MARCH
Wed 18 Associate Course 2009/3 ‘Meet an Examiner’
Tue 24 Monthly Meeting Rebuilding a School in Malawi
Megan Harris, daughter of local IAM Examiner Ian Harris,
will be talking about Keynsham Venture Scouts and the project they
are undertaking in Malawi in July.
We hope you will offer support by contributing to a collection.
TBA Observers’ Meeting
APRIL
Sun 19 Treasure Hunt
Starting from Almondsbury Rugby Club car park, at 10:00am.
The route will cover 25-30 miles in South Gloucestershire, and the
cost will be £5 per car. Details from Vince on 01454 411929.
Sat 25 Region One Liaison Forum Spring Meeting. Venue to be arranged.
Tue 28 AGM of the Bristol Group. Make a note in your Diary now.
Don’t let Apathy rule – this is the most important meeting in
the Group’s year. Hear the Reports. Question the Committee and
have your say. Our speaker afterwards will be David Kenworthy,
Chairman of the IAM. David will have plenty to say about the
direction of the IAM. He says he is “there to be shot at” and will
try to answer any questions put to him. Send questions in advance
to Martin Evans, Group Secretary, or ask them on the night.
MAY
Tue 26 Monthly Meeting Bob Jones, Archaeologist, Bristol City Council
JUNE
Sat 13 Bristol Group Members’ Day at BAWA. Details on following page.
Tue 23 Monthly Meeting Hugh White, Forensic Pathologist
will give a talk simply entitled Roadkill.
Page 20 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
An important date - Saturday 13th June
A belated 50th Anniversary Event !
BRISTOL GROUP MEMBERS’ DAY
based at BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton
Are you a Bristol Group Member who hasn't been involved recently?
Have you not taken advantage of what the Group offers you?
Then come along and join us for what should be a fabulous,
interesting, instructive but most importantly, fun day!
Details to be finalised but likely to include . . . .
• demonstration drives by our local IAM Examiners
• opportunity to get your driving informally assessed by an IAM
Examiner or Bristol Group Senior Observer, for ‘updates’ or to
eliminate any 'bad habits' creeping back
• visit the IAM stand to find out about the latest Member
offers, and pick up some IAM freebies!
• buffet lunch
• classroom 'workshops' on advanced driving topics
More details to follow - watch out for more information in the LINK
or hear announcements at our Group Monthly Meetings.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 21
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Take the IAM Advanced Driving Challenge
The Skill for Life all-in-package Associate Course is run by Bristol Advanced
Motorists to prepare members of the driving public to a standard of driving at
which they are likely to pass the IAM Advanced Driving Test.
The course is a six-month commitment. The current cost is £99 (if you are
under 26, it’s just £79). The syllabus book, How to be a better driver,
Advanced Driving the essential guide is provided along with other literature.
The one-off cost also covers Associate membership of both the national IAM
and of the local Bristol Group, and the fee for the IAM Advanced Driving Test.
The course starts with three seminar sessions; two to give an introduction, the
third being a meeting with an IAM Examiner. These sessions all take place at
the BAWA Club, in Southmead Road, Filton, BRISTOL, on Wednesday evenings.
The course continues with up to six months of practical on-road driving sessions.
For these, you meet your Observer on a one-to-one basis, at mutually convenient
dates and times, and drive your own car. The ideal is to have one drive each
week. The Group’s Observers provide guidance on a wholly voluntary basis. It is
the Group’s aim to get you to Test standard within 6 months.
The course contains a demonstration drive, to show you the standard required,
and a pre-test assessment with another Observer to prepare you for the actual
IAM Advanced Driving Test. Optional ‘Example Drives’ are also provided.
2009 Advanced Driving Course Dates
Course 2009/1 ALL COURSES REQUIRE PRE-BOOKING
Wednesday Jan 28th seminar session 1 (all sessions 7:30pm – 9:30pm)
Wednesday Feb 4th seminar session 2
Wednesday Mar 18th seminar session 3 - Meet an Examiner
Course 2009/2
Wednesday Apr 29th seminar session 1
Wednesday May 6th seminar session 2
Wednesday Jun 17th seminar session 3 - Meet an Examiner
Course 2009/3
Wednesday July 22nd seminar session 1
Wednesday July 29th seminar session 2
Wednesday Sep 9th seminar session 3 - Meet an Examiner
Course 2009/4
Wednesday Oct 14th seminar session 1
Wednesday Oct 21st seminar session 2
Wednesday Dec 2nd seminar session 3 - Meet an Examiner
Further details of the scheme and course enrolment packs are available from
Pam Hunt, the Bristol Group’s Associates Administrator,
on 0117 960 8494 or e-mail: associates@iam-bristol.org.uk
Page 22 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Brunel Team hosts final Manoeuvring Heat
The fourth and final heat in the
2008 Team Manoeuvring
Competition was held on
th
October 26 . Once again we
used the Broad Lane Depot of
South Gloucestershire Council,
by the kind arrangement of
Alan Hale, the Senior Road
Safety Officer.
right: Chief Observer Geoff Bevan
attempts the Reverse Parking
exercise, hoping to do well.
photo: Paul Hunt
The exercises this time were a Height and Width judgement, a Reverse Parking
exercise, a Slalom between cones ending with parking to a kerb on the left, and
finally another Slalom between cones ending with forward parking in a garage
followed by reversing into another garage.
Hosts, Brunel team, were John Boddey, Andy Cole, Nick Finerty, Jerry Gann.
Cabot team was: Alan Dunn, Tony Gilbert and Margaret James.
Colston was: Geoff Bevan, Gloria Drury, Roger Stimpson, Roger Whybrow.
Wesley drivers were: Bob Hawksley, Paul Hunt and Rosemary Jarvis.
On this occasion Cabot came out on top with 187 penalties, (pro rata for 4
people) Brunel scored 237 penalties, Colston scored 270 and Wesley 387.5.
Organiser Vince Robertson said that “It is the taking part that counts”, He
congratulated Geoff Bevan for scoring only 33 penalty points and coming second.
He said that the course had been set-up for a Ford Mondeo, which made the
meagre 26 penalties of individual winner Tony Gilbert remarkable, considering
he had used a “massive” Ford Granada Estate, proving that any car can
successfully take part, not just small ones. Vince also thanked those who had
helped as marshalls,
including Colin Rouse and
Karen Gough.
left: Tony’s Granada estate.
One would think not an
ideal choice of car for a
manoeuvring contest!
photo: Paul Hunt
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 23
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
clockwise from top left:
Winner Tony Gilbert (left) receives his prize from organiser Vince Robertson.
Wet weather made marshalling a damp affair for Tony Gilbert.
All sorts of cars turn up. This is the Mitsubishi FTO of Jerry Gann.
Andy Cole seems to be having a good time.
photos: first 2, Paul Hunt, second 2, Geoff Bevan
Manoeuvring Result – Colston Winners!
Organiser Vince Robertson retired with the scores. He resurfaced and said:
“There seem to be several ways to manipulate the scores of the heats to come
up with a winning Team, but, after much thought, I think the easiest way is to
add the scores from each of the competitions together and the lowest score
(i.e. the lowest number of penalty points) wins. This method uses the “best
performance”. Brunel, having failed to provide a team on 2 occasions, would
seem to disqualify themselves. This method also yields the same winner as does
using the second calculation method – the best relative positions in the heats.
“This makes the winning Team COLSTON. As so many different people took
part, it is impossible to pick an individual winner. If the Committee approves
this result, the Trophy will be awarded to Colston Team at the next AGM.”
2008 Team Manoeuvring Competition Scores
Team 13 April 1 June 9 Sept 26 Oct total
Brunel 207 no show no show 237 --- 4th
Cabot 296 76.5 250 187 809.5 2nd
Colston 183 74 230 270 757 1st
Wesley 296 37 217 387.5 937.5 3rd
Page 24 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
TATA nano – a new car for £1,200 by the Editor
To UK buyers, this does not seem possible. Even French micro-cars cost around
£6,000, and the low-cost Dacia Logan will cost £6,000 when it comes to the UK.
But things are different in the BRIC car market (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
European, USA and Asian car-makers are investing in these markets and
developing new low-cost models. There are predictions that Russia could become
Europe’s biggest car maker in a couple of years. China wants large simple
saloons. Indians don’t want size, but want cheapness and mobility.
For the Indian market, VW has the UP, predicted to cost £4k. The Dacia Logan
costs £3k. The cheapest car currently on sale in India is the £2,500 Maruti
Suzuki 800, a stripped-out 30-year old Suzuki Alto. Renault has invested in
Bajaj (makers of the tuk-tuk scooter-based 3-wheeler) to make a cheap car
below £2k.
But Indian company TATA is ahead at the moment. The company, which recently
acquired Jaguar and Land Rover, has started production of the TATA nano,
previously known as the OLRC, or “one lakh rupee car” (1 lakh is 100,000 rupees,
about £1,200). In reality, Indian prices are quoted ex-factory before tax, so an
Indian buyer will actually pay about £1,700 including tax and dealer charges.
Design-inspired by the
Mercedes Smart, nano
has been 10 years in
development. It looks
like a normal car, and uses
a simple steel shell, but it
is minimal. It looks like a
hatchback, but the rear
is solid (you tip the rear
seats forward to put
luggage in the tiny “boot”). The seats are very basic. The dashboard contains
only some vents, a steering wheel with one control stalk, a speedo, and warning
lights for low oil pressure and low fuel. The petrol tank holds only 3 gallons (15
litres). There is no external fuel filler – you lift the front cover ‘bonnet’ and
there is a plastic funnel arrangement for adding fuel. Mechanics are as simple
and cheap as possible, for example standard 12” wheels with only three studs,
and starter and alternator only just up to the job. But this is not a throw-away
car like the cheap Chinese ones. Quality suppliers include Bosch, ZF and Mahle.
And although cheap, it is not small. When photographed alongside people, the
car looks much bigger. With steep front and back, and minimal intrusion of
mechanicals, the interior is all usable passenger space. Photos show 5 people,
three six-footers in the back, with no problem.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 25
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
The engine/transmission is a compact unit under the rear seat, following
established Japanese small ‘kei-car’ practice of the 1970s, and easily
accessible/removable for maintenance. The two cylinder, 623cc, 33bhp, 35lb.ft
engine and 4-speed gearbox are claimed to accelerate the 600kg car to 60mph
in 17 seconds, with a top speed of 65mph, and giving a claimed 55mpg.
Apparently, despite being tall and narrow and on small skinny tyres, the car is
stable in turns. Performance may not seem great, but it is adequate for Indian
roads. Cast your mind back to the 1950s and 60s, and the performance and the
basic specification are comparable with small UK cars of that period.
To keep costs down, the car is
produced as one standard item with
no options, and supplied to dealers in
partly-finished form; dealers will
finish it off, and fit any extra-cost
items such as radios, heaters, mirrors
etc. For those who can afford it, a
de-luxe version will be available with
body-coloured bumpers, as shown
here. both photos: TATA publicity
Production is planned at 200,000 per year, rising steeply later.
Environmentalists may say this is a disaster for pollution and congestion, but the
TATA nano is seen as a new type of car – one that will increase road safety by
getting people off scooters affordably. The death and injury toll is very high on
India’s roads, both in and out of the cities. But only 15% are occupants of cars,
buses or trucks. The rest are pedestrians and scooterists/motorcyclists. With
a family of 4 or 5 on a scooter, this is hardly surprising. In 2007, one million
cars were bought in India, but 7 million two wheelers. If the price is right,
TATA nano and similar cars may well succeed in altering that balance.
Already there are more plans. A 700cc turbo-diesel engine already exists, and
with India’s existing CNG (compressed natural gas) market, and TATA’s
involvement with Norwegian Miljo Electric company and French MDI compressed
air company, all these forms of power could be available in the nano shortly.
Latest news is that the TATA nano is being considered for export from 2011.
To be sold in the West, it would need to comply with better emission and
construction standards, and be fitted with airbags, ABS, side impact protection,
and better stability control. The latter would make it look quite different, with
a wider track and bigger wheels. These measures would quadruple the sale price.
Before long, Andy Poulton and the other IAM Examiners could experience a
TATA nano on an IAM Test – and after that they will actually be glad to get into
a high-powered Daewoo Matiz, with its 800cc of 3-cylinder throbbing power!
Page 26 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Observers’ Meeting October 2008 by the Editor
Each year Bristol Group holds two Observers’ Evenings, the aim of which is to
get all Observers in the Group together and to pass on to them the tablets of
stone concerning up-to-date developments both in Observing and in the Group’s
Associate Guidance Schemes.
Chief Observer Geoff Bevan opened the meeting and, after a few opening
remarks, handed over to IAM Staff Examiner Andy Poulton.
Andy said that there would be none of the usual jokes, fooling around, or rushing
for the buffet, as he introduced the serious main topic of the evening - falling
Associate success rates.
WHY ARE OUR IAM TEST PASS RATES FALLING,
AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
Speaking from his examining experience over 20 years and 2,000 tests, Andy
stated that the IAM Advanced Driving Test has not got harder. That is a
misconception. What has changed is that candidates coming forward as
Associates are at a lower base starting level. The mix increasingly contains
people who have not got even the basic skills for success in a DSA Driving Test.
This makes both the training procedure and the Observer’s task more difficult.
Gone are the days of ‘six runs and ready for the Test’. Also gone are the days
of a general ‘jolly’ drive around, waiting to see what happens. An Associate of
today needs many more runs (an average of 12 or more), and needs those runs
to be delivered in a structured and recorded programme of guidance, with
wall-to-wall instructional commentary coming from the Observer in the
passenger seat. Observers need, for example, to spend two or more complete
sessions just driving round a housing estate solely covering ‘the System’ on left
turns.
Examiner Alan Hale came to the meeting prepared to have a frank and honest
discussion about the reasons for IAM Test failures. As the ‘new boy on the
block’, he was concerned that he was having to fail people based on the standard
presented to him on Test, and was thereby gaining a reputation of either being
too strict, requiring unreasonably extreme driving, or setting too high a
standard. But Andy Poulton assured the audience that that was not the case.
All Examiners are experiencing the same; and Examiners are regularly cross-
checked so that they are all ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’.
To give the situation from his viewpoint, Alan had come prepared to talk about
the driving presented on recent Tests, and, without naming names of course,
related his experiences to the audience so that they could judge for themselves
if ‘candidates X, Y and Z’ should have been ‘recommended’ or ‘not recommended’.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 27
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Alan started by relating a number of Test pass cases where the candidates had
been, respectively, ‘a star’, ‘superb’, and ‘absolutely magic’. He said that these
people had displayed good observation, anticipation, planning and reasoning,
demonstrated the principles of advanced driving, and showed a will to take the
car forward, making good progress when safe to do so, but moderating progress
sufficiently when necessary. He said it did not need a powerful car; the
required style of driving could be demonstrated on a Ford Ka, or even on a
Daewoo Matiz with its famous “800cc of hot, throbbing, 3-cylinder power”.
Alan then described issues encountered on other Tests, and talked about various
points of poor driving, not up to IAM Test standard. Those present
wholeheartedly agreed that each of these candidates (no names revealed of
course) were valid failures, and most of them did not appear ready for Test. It
prompted questions such as “Did these people get a demonstration drive?”, and
“Were these people cross-checked and judged ready for Test?” Questions and
discussion continued even after the break for a buffet.
It was acknowledged that Nerves often fall apart on the day for anyone, and
also that some candidates can be of a lower standard, often with some hidden
agenda or ulterior motive for taking the Test. But, why are any people allowed
to put in for the Test without apparently being properly prepared?
It was noted that some Associates attend the seminar theory sessions and then
imagine they know it all, without taking practical sessions. But it was
acknowledged that Observers need to deliver guidance in a structured fashion
and need to prepare candidates to a better level. It was suggested that the
Observer training in the Group is maybe getting a little complacent and away
from reality, not helped by the fact we get no Police training input these days.
One idea put forward was that Examiners may give a few senior people a
demonstration of the Test standard of driving, and this demonstration can then
be cascaded down the ranks as a CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
driving skills update. ‘Instructional skills’ should ideally be covered by Senior
Observers (and Observers) having to regularly re-take their Test or
Assessment, but it does not appear to be working. A special ‘instructional skills
training’ update session may be organised.
It was noted that one third of Observers were absent – and it tends to be the
same ones. The Group has been holding a complimentary new Associate book for
each Observer, but we have not seen some Observers for a year, and have now
had to mail the books. Non-attendance makes updating difficult, and thought is
being given to introducing some kind of card-stamping scheme for Observers to
keep their ticket, or a requirement to take some CPD each year.
The next Observers’ meeting will be in March 2009, exact date to be arranged.
Page 28 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
The IAM national AGM by Paul Hunt
It is usually a non-event. The
IAM membership is normally
comatose, accepting without
comment anything the IAM does.
However, Council’s proposal to
increase the national membership
subscription from £18 to £30
awakened the interest of some
Members in the 2008 AGM, held
27th November. Individuals are
Members of the IAM and of
Groups, but Groups are not part
of the IAM. So attendance at
the AGM can only be made as a
personal Member. [I must point
out that this piece conveys my
personal view of proceedings.]
510 Chiswick High Road. IAM House, base of the national IAM. photo: Paul Hunt
Members who look more closely at the IAM see a need to question basic issues
arising from the proposal to charge £30 for annual membership administration.
The Articles allow a quorum of seven people to make decisions for 110,000
Members, and Members show little interest; so Council seems to act isolated
from the Members, Why are full details of activities and finances not available
to Members? Are staffing levels justified? What are the actual costs? One
could even ask if the original Objects of the IAM are being correctly followed,
whether the IAM is bigging itself up beyond its means, or whether consideration
has been given to future recruitment and retention of Members, in an
organisation where one applies for an Advanced Driving Test not realising that
passing it involves an ongoing ‘membership’ fee to be paid every year!
Martin Evans and I (Paul Hunt) travelled to Chiswick, and there met up with
Norman Dadd of our colleague Group Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists. We found
that only 25 IAM Members were booked to attend the AGM, in the conference
room on the top, 4th floor of IAM House, with a view along Chiswick High Road.
The room was rather full, with 18 Council Members, IAM management and IAM
staff, and 23 Members (22 from Groups, and only one non-Group Member).
Opening the AGM, Chairman David Kenworthy introduced himself and the other
IAM ‘suits’, including two new Member-Trustees, Mr McMullen and Mr Horton.
It seemed rather old-fashioned and elite, probably very little different from
the first ever AGM back in 1957. David strangely commented that the IAM
Members present were not a representative sample of ordinary IAM Members,
because all but one was involved with Groups!
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 29
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
David then gave an updated Annual Report, because, as he said, “a lot of water
had gone under the bridge since July”. He described how he had taken over as
Chairman in July 2007, The IAM was “not achieving its targets” and losing
money, Two Managing Directors had been taken on to administer the “complex”
IAM, and it was intended that the Chief Executive would be more outward
facing. A governance review was undertaken, to set the strategic direction and
run with a smaller number of “involved and informed” Trustees. [Note: Only one
member from the Groups Committee now sits on Council, reducing its input.]
When Christopher Bullock died, Deputy Chairman Alistair Cheyne had taken the
changes forward. Many staff and managers had ‘left’. A Personnel project has
been undertaken to set proper contracts and set-up job appraisals. The offices
of Drive and Survive at Bloxham have been closed and the staff moved to
Chiswick. A new business plan has been drawn-up for IAM Fleet. Director of
Finance, Nick Stallard, has started to sort out the ‘murky’ finances [their word,
not mine] and there should be more confidence in future financial figures.
David said the Objects of the IAM are to run an advanced driving test, to
promote advanced driving and to promote road safety. He said more effort is
required to promote road safety to assist in proving public benefit as required
by the Charity Commission under the Charities Act. The IAM Motoring Trust
was set up to assist with this, and to establish a better relationship with
motoring writers and the media. Advocacy, lobbying and representing the IAM
in the media and on other bodies has remained unfulfilled – so David Kenworthy
is to take that activity as a paid post. Council is to amend the Articles of the
IAM. [Later clarification shows this to be a decision made by Council to align
with what it sees as the requirements of the revised Charities Act 2006 with
regards to “charity status” and “public benefit”]
David said that Groups are the “life blood” of the IAM, and the main avenue for
people to prepare for the IAM Test. But only 22% of Members belong to
Groups. All Members are important, and the IAM must primarily pay attention
to the other 78%, mainly by providing benefits to aid Member retention.
On the Membership fee, David said that the fee should have gone up regularly
over the last 9 years and the IAM was expecting a 5% drop-out, the same as
with any increase. Savings had been made in running costs but there was a limit.
David urged those present to vote in favour, so that Council could speak as an
independent road safety organisation, with the support of Members.
Peter Rodger, Chief Examiner, gave a brief report in response to a comment
made at last year’s AGM that he gave no report at all. He said that the number
of Tests conducted in the year was virtually identical to the year before, with
an increase in Car Tests compensating for decreases in all other categories.
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www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
The Chairman allowed a short period for comments before a vote was taken on
Resolution One (to approve the Report and Accounts). Comments referred to:
• Why no prominent announcement of the AGM on page 1 of the journal rather
than very small type, with no heading, hidden at the bottom of page 42?
[Secretary: It is OK. The IAM operates to the legal minimum required.]
• Why not stage the AGM incorporated with one National Conference?
• Why the vast deficit on Tests? [Treasurer: Policy of the IAM is to subsidise
the cost of Tests out of Membership fees to fulfil charitable objects – no
detailed breakdown available.]
• Where does money go from Skill for Life fees? [Treasurer: Overhead
allocation, costs of DSA quality assurance and Staff Examiner wages – again,
no detailed breakdown available, but there will be in next year’s Accounts.]
• Why the sudden deficit, when things seemed to be going well until 2004?
[Chairman: In 2006 £1million was received from the AA Trust and in 2007
IAM Fleet (Ireland) lost its profitable contract with Hibernian Insurance.]
A vote was called on Acceptance of the Report and Accounts. We were told
that this year was the first time in the history of the IAM that proxy votes had
ever been asked for. We learned that those present held 44 proxy votes, the
Chairman held 380 valid proxy votes and 42 invalid ones. In effect, the votes of
those present were outnumbered. The Report and Accounts were thus passed.
The Chairman allowed 15 minutes for comments before a vote was taken on each
of the other Resolutions (to re-elect four Trustees and to approve the fee
increase). There were many comments of dissatisfaction from the floor,
culminating with Don Ingham of Cornwall Group trying to move an amendment to
limit the membership fee increase to £5. He was ruled out of order, and the
Chairman closed the question period and made a further statement.
He said he believed the IAM must do something about road safety. In the past
we have concentrated on advanced driving but we cannot live in isolation. Our
third Object is to improve road safety and we must engage the Members in this.
The IAM and the Groups are charities – so why do they not actively seek
donations? They must do so from now on. We need Member benefits. We must
raise the profile of the Institute. We must attract young people. We must
listen to the Members. David said that in his talks to Groups, no-one is
concerned about the fee increase. We must increase membership. Groups
handle 7,000 Associates per annum, and could handle 10,000. But that is not
enough, and we must increase membership in other ways.
If Groups have a retention problem, that is nothing to do with the IAM. It is
down to Groups to make themselves more attractive. The IAM is looking at how
to implement a fee reduction for Observers. It is also setting up a working
party to set standards for Groups. Then it will be down to Groups themselves to
meet those standards.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 31
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
Voting then continued for the remaining resolutions (re-election of Trustees and
the fee increase to £30). All 4 Trustees listed were re-elected. [I did not vote
for any of them, for various specific reasons. And also, because none of the
candidates had produced a written or verbal election address.]
Regarding voting on the fee increase, of those present, 25 voted “for” and 16
voted “against”. Taking all proxies into account, the vote was 284 “for”, 178
“against” and 3 abstentions. The turnout including proxies was 0.40% of
Members. Where were the other 109,535 Members?
A brief session was allowed on Any Other Business, but nothing was concluded.
Points mentioned included:
• Why cannot an organisation family tree with names and posts be published?
• Where is Nigel Mansell, at this, the most important meeting of the year?
• Does Ben Devlin still exist? [Chairman: Young Driver issue is under review.]
• 50% Skill for Life applicants don’t enrol with Groups – why doesn’t IAM chase
them or give their names to Groups, as promised twice before? [Chairman:
IAM wouldn’t know which Group to inform, Data Protection Act prevents it.]
• If SfL is not covering costs – and why isn’t it? – why isn’t price put up?
[Chairman: Council view is Full Members should subsidise SfL candidates.]
The meeting was closed. The Chairman said that, “having the attendees had
made it an interesting AGM”. The Chief Examiner noted that there had been
many more people than normal and it had lasted 5 times as long.
-----------------------------------------------------
It was obvious that our presence wasn't going to make any difference at all to
the outcome, and we were somewhat of a minor hindrance, but at least we got to
glimpse the offices, the people there, and their reactions with each other. The
stratified levels of Council, management and the ordinary staff were marked.
The incredibly low attendance and proxies (0.4% turnout, including proxies)
shows a phenomenal lack of interest in the IAM by Members. Perhaps existing
Members don’t mind paying £30 a year for administration of their membership.
The worry must be whether new Test-passers will want to enter that scheme.
There were mixed messages about the relationship with Groups. At one point
Groups were described as the “life blood” of the IAM, but then it was pointed
out that “Groups are not part of the IAM”, indicating that Council should give
priority attention to the 78% of Members who are not involved with Groups.
The IAM needs to sort out its Accounting, and control its costs.
Declaring itself as “the leading independent Road Safety Charity” is maybe
overstating the point, in the perceived need to comply with the requirements of
the Charities Act 2006 to report and quantify "public benefit".
David Kenworthy is coming to our AGM in April to explain the new plan.
Page 32 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Lies, Damn Lies, and Speed Camera Claims
Idris Francis (to the
right) with Don Brown,
Meetings Organiser.
photo: Geoff Bevan
Our November meeting attracted over 50 Group members to hear controversial
speaker Idris Francis, who describes himself as a Freelance Political Heckler.
Idris gained notoriety by campaigning against the Speed Camera “driver
identification” legislation which conflicts with the old-established “legal right of
silence”. He took his case to the European Court of Human Rights, but lost on a
majority verdict, causing conflicts of views amongst the judges.
Idris has spent time over 7 years studying figures concerning the effectiveness
and costs of Speed Cameras. He said he is not telling anyone what to think, he is
just giving the facts, from which he says it can be seen that most figures and
claims surrounding Speed Cameras are simply not credible. The DfT and
politicians have been promoting blatantly untrue information. Casualties have
not gone down, if anything they have gone up. It makes no sense to continue,
because Vehicle Activated Signs are more effective at much less cost. Idris
handed out some CDs containing his PowerPoint® presentation – if anyone would
like a copy by e-mail, contact the LINK Editor on editor@iam-bristol.org.uk
Statistics for both Road Crash Injuries and Speed Cameras were in the national
news recently, firstly because of discrepancies between injury statistics
recorded by the Department for Transport and the Health Authorities, and
secondly because of Swindon Council’s decision to remove Fixed Camera
installations and stop its involvement with the local Camera Partnership.
Idris presented data and graphs concerning road crash casualty numbers since
1926, and also on a ‘fatalities per vehicle km’ basis. Early fluctuations could be
‘explained’ by social, economic and car engineering factors, but since 1994, when
Government changed its policy so that Road Safety was no longer a core activity,
the underlying downward trend eased-off. If the trend had instead continued,
Idris claimed 8,000 less people would have been killed on the roads since 1994.
Idris’s research into Injury Statistics suggests that the data presented is not
cross-referenced between agencies or otherwise checked. Whereas deaths are
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 33
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
obviously accurately recorded, injuries can only be reported by the Police if they
are notified of them, whereas Hospitals record all treatments given, and cannot
detect any fall in road crash injuries. This points not to a decrease in injuries,
but to an increase in the massive under-reporting of injuries to the Police.
Idris highlighted non-consideration of mathematical regression to the mean in
official figures. If a camera is placed at a crash site, it is obvious that a natural
‘improvement’ will occur with no input as time passes without further crashes.
Speed Camera ‘sites’ only affect 3% of the country’s roads, yet ‘improvements’
are claimed from them on all roads. Idris put forward reasoning that this type
of claim can be statistical nonsense. There is also confusion with recorded
crash causes and they seem to be randomly allocated by the Police.
Idris presented figures and documents which he said proved financial costs and
benefits of Speed Cameras had been greatly misrepresented. Vehicle Activated
Signs are cheaper and 70 times more cost effective than Speed Cameras.
Speed Cameras also provide self-perpetuating employment for administrators.
From 1996, speeding penalties went direct to the Camera Partnerships,
encouraging them to increase operations in a self-financing perpetual circle.
From April 2008, penalties go to Government; Councils receive money to spend
on Road Safety projects they choose. That has prompted the Swindon decision.
Idris presented figures which indicate that Road Policing has reduced by more
than three-quarters since 1994, although the reduction in actual Police Patrol
Cars has been far greater even than this. Detection of driving offences has
fallen; only speeding offences have increased, detected by Speed Cameras. And
more statistics showed that it is not the statistically dangerous young 17-25
drivers who are caught, but predominantly middle-aged experienced drivers.
Idris claimed that speeding (above the speed limit) has been exaggerated in its
importance in injury/death causes, and presented lists placing it near the
bottom of causes. Risk of death through speeding is one third that of suicide
numbers. You are three times more likely to injure yourself by tripping and
falling on a pavement. And so on.
A list of possible negative effects of Speed Cameras and low speed limits was
offered, including such factors as an increase in ‘risk compensation’ and not
being able to drive within the established ‘safe speed’ principle.
To conclude, Idris showed some papers regarding day-running lights. Not a
speed issue, but it illustrated incorrect mathematics and was an example of
easily-spotted absolute nonsense being stated in official papers (in this case
from the Department for Transport).
We point out that Idris would not accept any appearance fee or payment of
expenses for this talk, wishing to maintain his public ‘independent’ status.
Page 34 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
Letter to the Editor
Dear Paul, I feel it necessary to put finger to computer about Idris Francis.
I was really looking forward to hearing Mr Francis but how disappointing; in all
my years of road safety involvement I felt his presentation was the worst I had
ever seen. He often lost his way, his switching from slide to slide at times made
me feel dizzy and on occasions I felt he had lost the plot. It is obvious that his
passion against safety cameras has taken over his life; how sad for a man who
was successful in business in earlier life as he reminded us on several occasions.
Unfortunately, due to a prior commitment, I was unable to stay to the end but
after an hour I really had heard enough and left. At that point Mr. Francis was
recalling the time when he was sitting on 9 points. He believed he was a danger
on the road having to constantly look at his speedometer, regularly check for
cameras and look at overhead bridges for the mobiles. I was somewhat relieved
when a member of the audience reminded him that all he had to do was stick to
the speed limit, but unfortunately I did not hear his reply.
Had I been able to stay I would have asked or raised the following points: -
• Why does Mr. Francis, and some IAM members, have a problem with safety
cameras? The speed limit is the law and cameras are there to uphold it.
• Did Mr. Francis have a problem sticking to the speed limit when he took his
driving test and, if not, why does he, and many other motorists, have a problem
now they are experienced motorists? If every driver drove as if they were
always on test then there would be no need for cameras, etc.
• If Mr. Francis lives in speed limit area, 30, 40 or whatever, at what speed
would he like people to drive down his road? At or below the limit I would
suspect, so why does he, and many others, feel that they can ignore the speed
limit in other areas?
I would like to suggest two things to Mr. Francis. Consider becoming an IAM
member, and secondly, perhaps he would like to be educated in the true facts of
safety cameras by attending, as an observer, one of the courses run by the
Safety Camera Partnerships before he is caught again. Members of the public
are able to attend one of these presentations, free of charge, by arrangement,
and I believe some IAM members have availed themselves of this opportunity.
Best wishes, JOHN VICKERY
Comment by the Editor: Thanks for your letter, John. Any comment is welcome. Looking
at it in isolation, one cannot argue with the vast majority of what Idris said because it was
claimed to be factual data. Obviously people hold different views on Speed Camera and
Road Safety issues as there are many factors to be considered. And we invited Idris to
speak knowing that he was controversial, and hoping thereby that his appearance would
boost meeting attendance numbers. Some of the audience found the presentation
interesting but a few found it a little technical and lengthy – maybe Speed Cameras have
become an accepted part of today’s motoring. A number of people left the meeting early, but
one cannot read anything into that because nowadays people tend to leave at 9:30 whatever.
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 35
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
My IAM Story by Craig Rankine
Cars and motorsport have always been a passion of mine. From a very young age
I wanted to get behind the wheel of a car, having that childhood dream of being
a racing driver (if it wasn’t that I’m sure it would have been a fighter pilot or
something else along those lines)! When my 17th birthday finally came, that was
it; I set myself the challenge of passing my test as quickly as possible. I was
already off to a great start having learned the basics on private roads before
hitting that all important age….
After a slight delay (due to my driving instructor insisting that I wait until my
school exams had finished before taking my test) I passed my test 12 weeks
after my birthday. I was happy! Not quite sure about my mum though; it was at
that point that the miles on her 1.6L VW Golf started increasing (exponentially)!
After finishing Uni up in Edinburgh I joined a company down south and lived in
Reading. 2 years later I got a job in technical sales for the same company
covering the South West of England and South Wales. This was when I moved
to Bristol and started driving a lot more, averaging between 35k and 45k miles a
year! Needless to say, I had a lot of exposure to driving on UK roads.
Like many people on the roads, I have always found the quality of driving in the
UK generally extremely poor. There’s a massive improvement needed with
driving standards; whether it’s lane discipline on the motorway (let’s face it
much of the congestion on UK motorways would disappear if people moved over
from lane 2 into an empty lane 1), general lack of awareness (windows being used
as advertising space doesn’t help), little care for what’s going on outside of a
driver’s ‘bubble’ or just apparent lack of ability to control a car properly and not
adjusting driving style for varying conditions. You have to ask yourself if our UK
driving test is of a high enough standard! We could learn a lot from
Scandinavian countries (which I now travel to a lot with work) – where part of
their ‘basic’ driving test is to control a car on a skid pan!
Over the years my desire to get involved in motorsport never went. My
assumption (and in most cases the fact) was that you have to have significant
wealth or sponsorship to
get into such a sport.
Karting was something
that I’d frequently
considered, but without
the mechanical skill or
desire to prepare and
transport a kart from
race to race it always
seemed to be a non
starter. That was until I
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www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
came across a karting championship run by Club100 ( www.club100.co.uk )
providing (in my view) the highest level of ‘arrive & drive’ karting in the UK.
Great – I was able to race at a variety of tracks around the UK (and in some
cases mainland Europe) – I was happy! I’ve now been involved in this form of
racing for 5 or 6 years. Although I believe it would be tough to find a
championship with as much skill and competition, my desire is still to get into
racing cars, allowing me to get onto some of those great circuits. One day it will
happen! Racing on tracks is great as it gives you a chance to push things right to
(and sometimes beyond) the limit. It’s a fantastic hobby! I’ve also entered a
number of motorsport competitions, driven many different performance cars
round various race tracks, done a few rally courses, a Caterham ‘drift’ day and
the odd 4x4 off road courses. An advanced driving course for the road was
something I’d been thinking about for years, but never seemed to get round to.
Driving on the roads has always been something which I’ve enjoyed (obviously
except for those times you
end up just sitting
stationary in a queue of
traffic). There’s nothing
like getting out into a
country road being able to
enjoy the experience of
the machine that you’re
part of. In fact a few
years ago this moved up to
another level for me after buying a TVR T350c. It’s a great sense of occasion
every time you’re behind the wheel and can provide a lot of fun. Obviously with
350bhp under the right foot, no ABS or traction control (but a limited slip
differential) in something that weighs just over 1000kg you have to treat it with
a little respect, but it’s a very drivable car with a great feel and it’s certainly
given me a lot of enjoyment (especially trips to Le Mans for the 24 hour race).
Having the TVR made me reconsider the Advanced Driving Course and after all
those years of thinking about it I finally got my backside in gear and joined the
IAM with the intent of passing my Advanced Test. I wasn’t sure exactly what to
expect, how much I’d learn, what difference it would make to my driving (both in
the view of myself and other road users), whether the IAM would be full of
people that (how shall I say it) were a little ‘straight laced’, whether in fact it
would remove the ‘fun’ out of driving! Anyway, I was on my way, I would find out!
Arriving at my first classroom session I was pleased to find that there was a
real mix of people with different backgrounds, different reasons for taking the
IAM course and varying amounts of experience on the roads, but one thing in
common – everyone wanted to benefit from becoming an ‘Advanced Driver’. On
that first night I met my Observer, Ray Campion, and I could tell straight away
that we were going to have some fun!
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 37
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
My first drive was soon after that and in fact we also had a trainee Observer in
the back too. Ray, being a fellow Scot, had no hesitation in coming out with a
little banter, but the main objective was for him to see what he’d got himself in
for. How much pain was he (and therefore I) going to have to go through! In
fact the initial feedback was pretty good, but there were certainly a few things
that needed to be ironed out if I was going to pass my IAM Test. These
included a little heel & toe, ‘racing lines’, crossing my hands on the wheel and
watching not to ‘sneak’ above the speed limits now and again! Ray’s a great guy
and meeting him was a real positive surprise for me. He pulled me through the
course pretty quickly, gave me the guidance I needed and we had a lot of laughs
on the way. A massive thanks to him – the IAM is lucky to have such people.
Other memorable parts to the course for me were; meeting the Examiner – who
was another character, an observed drive with Margaret James (who I hear
makes FANTASTIC bread – although I never did manage to taste any!), Ray’s
demonstration drive (making me realise just how much easier everything he was
teaching me was if you just slowed down a little with great observation and
smoothness giving plenty of time to prepare for all hazards), the jokes about me
shuffling the wheel, my final cockpit check with Ray when I forgot to switch on
the engine and that indication - for a cat!!!!
After a couple of months it was time for the big test! The nerves were not the
same as for my ‘basic’ driving test, but nevertheless they were there. However,
once again, as soon as I met the man in charge, Andy Poulton, I was immediately
put to rest. It went okay I think (well I guess it must have as I passed), but
even throughout the test he would give me the odd tip or further advice on how
to fine tune my driving style. It’s an ongoing process after all! It was very
satisfying getting through and I would certainly recommend the IAM course to
anyone thinking about improving their driving skill. I wish I’d done it years ago!
Since the test I’ve taken on board all of what I learnt and have used it to adapt
my driving style. Most of it I use (and truly value), especially the observation
skills; small parts of it I don’t, as it would take some of the enjoyment out of
driving for me. However, one thing is for sure, my driving standard has improved
as a result of taking the course. I continue to increase both my driving
enjoyment and safety.
Currently I don’t have time to move into observing, but I’m sure this would be
very rewarding (as long as you have patience) for those people that decide to do
so. I’ve got a huge amount of respect and admiration for all the people in the
IAM that give their time to help improve the level of driving standards on our
roads. Thanks to you all, but a special BIG thanks to my Observer, Ray Campion.
Ray, ‘ta-ta’, thanks for your help, patience and entertainment. Top man!
both photos in this piece: Craig Rankine
Page 38 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists
www.iam-bristol.org.uk Bristol Advanced Motorists January 2009
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Tel: 0117 9714888
Mitsubishi Motors Weston Super Mare, Unit X, Aisecome Way,
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Tel: 01934 621200
the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 39
January 2009 Bristol Advanced Motorists www.iam-bristol.org.uk
The Last Page
Member Tony Gilbert was at an
antiques fair – and by chance
acquired some early issues of
Milestones. This was an
independent magazine aimed at British motorists holidaying overseas. Originally
started in 1946, it was ‘taken over’ by the IAM in 1960 as its Official Organ.
Over the next year, we’ll present some extracts from the years 1956 – 1964.
The Last Inside Page of early issues featured a glamour photo. In this one from
Winter 1958 the lady demonstrates a POWDER check on the new Austin A40.
This picture was repeated as maybe the final one in Winter 1962. From then on
The Last Page contained only adverts for Tyres, Brake Servos and the like.
When Austin dealers of Ontario gathered in Toronto to look the A40 over, with its body styled
jointly by British and Italian artists, they were given an eye-full of the home product into the
bargain. Suitably “trimmed” for the occasion, two well-designed show models – Beth Brunner and
Elona Cross – were on hand to explain and demonstrate the A40, and the gratified Austin Motor Co.
of Canada netted orders from the admiring dealers to the tune of half a million bucks.
Page 40 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists