Spring Issue February 2016
Driving Safety Home The newsletter of the Stratford upon Avon Group of Advanced Motorists (3127) Registered Charity #1016119
Drink-drive casualty figures ‘unacceptable’ – IAM renews calls for lower limits The number of people killed and seriously injured on British roads as a result of drink driving have remained largely static for the last five years, according to the latest government figures released recently. The figures show that between 210 and 270 people were killed in accidents in Britain where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, with a central estimate of 240 deaths; unchanged since 2010. The number of seriously injured casualties in drink-drive accidents fell by 2% from 1,100 in 2013 to 1,080. The government says that if this figure is confirmed in the final estimates published late this year, it will be the lowest number of seriously injured casualties on record. The total number of casualties of all types in drink drive accidents is 8,220, down 1% on the 2013 figure, and the total number of drink drive accidents of all severities fell by 1% to 5,620. Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “The latest drink-drive statistics show that Britain is flat lining on drink-drive deaths. Total numbers of drink-drive accidents have gone down slightly but 20 people still die every month in an alcohol related crash – this is simply unacceptable. “The government has increased the powers of the police to make it more difficult to avoid detection but they continue to avoid the one simple measure that could deliver fewer deaths immediately. That is of course a lower drink drive limit in line with Scotland. A recent IAM survey showed 70% of drivers support this measure. “We need to break the deadlock on drink-drive deaths and a lower limit would send the strongest possible message that taking alcohol and driving is totally socially unacceptable in 2016.” 1
Spring Issue February 2016
Autumn Skill For Life Course Associates Here are the current members of the associates group.
Richard Brown, Kerri Crawford, Martin Fairlie, Joanne Fisher, Mark Heaton, Jennifer Green, Paul Holyman, Zak Hooker, Leonard Morley, Marius Nenu, Victoria Sartain, Paul Shawcross, Matt Simpson, Harry Tarrant, Sam Tracy and John Varley
If you know of anyone who would benefit (please be diplomatic) from the Skill for Life Course - and let’s face it, everyone could - then please ask them to contact Mike Page - email secretary@stratfordiam.org.uk or phone 01789 763732 - for more details. And of course remember to tell them what fun it is!
The following have taken their Advanced Driving Test and satisfied the Examiner that they are of a standard to be accepted into the IAM: Jack Langstone, Luke Ogden and Bob Martin Congratulations to you all and welcome to the world of Advanced Motoring!
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Spring Issue February 2016
NEWS GROUP
OBSERVERS WANTED As you all know, the people who sit alongside new associates are called Observers, and these Observers are volunteers, giving up their time for no reward other than the knowledge that they are helping to make our roads safer by encouraging better driving techniques. Unfortunately we don’t have enough of them. This means that the Observers we have are being asked to attend every Sunday and sometimes to carry out 2 check drives each Sunday Morning.
To reduce the demands placed upon our dedicated Observers we are asking for more Advanced Drivers to step up and join our merry band of Observers. With more Observers to call upon each Observer will be asked to carry out fewer check drives - spread the load! If you are interested please contact Ian Gibbins by email observer@stratfordiam.org.uk - or why not drop in on a Sunday morning and speak to him in person? You can now find out which Sundays the course is being run by checking our Events Calendar on our website www.stratfordiam.org.uk.
Social Media As well as our website - www.stratfordiam.org.uk you can now follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have a Facebook account type in https://www.facebook.com/editorstratfordiam then click on Like. On Twitter look for @stratforddriver and click on Follow.
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Spring Issue February 2016
New In-Car Technology In this new feature we are going to start looking at the new gadgets that are appearing in new cars and see, from a road safety perspective, if the change is worth it. To start we look at Ford’s new ‘Unlearn’ campaign, and in particular their new approach to seat belts. Seat belts have been around since Volvo developed them in the 1950s, and apart from inertia reels they haven’t changed much in all that time. Developed from simple lap belts in the early 20th Century to 3 point inertia reel safety belts in the sixties they have been saving lives every day on our roads, so what could be done to improve them? Ford have decided to incorporate air bags into the safety belt, deployed by compressed gasses, to reduce the injuries that can result from high speed impacts by the actual safety belt itself. Unlike conventional airbags, which use pyrotechnic inflation, the compressed gasses (argon and helium), would not run the risk of burning the passenger! At present the inflatable seatbelts are only fitted to rear seats in certain models.
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Spring Issue February 2016
NEWS Mature drivers favour checks on over 70’s, IAM finds The majority of older drivers are in favour of tighter rules on checking the health and suitability of over-70s to drive* – even if those checks could take them off the road themselves – according to a new report by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), Keeping Older Drivers Safe and Mobile. And more than half demonstrate that they self-regulate to stay safe, by avoiding driving in challenging situations like busy traffic, after dark, in rush hour or bad weather. The IAM worked with Dr Carol Hawley and her team at Warwick Medical School to survey more than 2,600 drivers and former drivers on their opinions, habits and motoring history, for the first major survey of its kind for two decades. While mature drivers travel significantly fewer miles than other age groups, 84% of them rated their driving ability as ‘good to excellent’ and only 6% had ever considered giving up driving. Despite that a very high proportion of respondents were in favour of measures to increase their safety on the roads. Almost 60% said drivers should retake the driving test every five years after age 70, 85% said drivers should pass an eyesight test every five years once they have reached 70, and more than half said that drivers aged around 70 should be required to have a medical examination. Nearly all of the respondents, 94%, agreed that GPs should be required to inform patients if their medical condition may affect their fitness to drive and half agreed that a flexible licensing system should be introduced which could restrict types of roads and conditions for some older drivers. The IAM’s survey found respondents wanted some rules to extend further than older drivers – 84% agreed that all drivers should pass an eyesight test every 10 years after first passing, regardless of their age. The report also found just how important driving is to this group. Some 82% said that driving was very or extremely important to them, a figure that increases for women. Independence and convenience were cited as the main reasons for wanting to continue driving. The number of drivers over the age of 70 is set to double over the next 20 years and with more than one million licence holders over the age of 80, there is a pressing need for enlightened policies and practical actions to help them keep safe and competently mobile for as long as possible. 5
Spring Issue February 2016 Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “Driving is about so much more than getting from A to B and nowhere is this more apparent than in this age group. It helps maintain self-esteem and freedom and is essential for combating social isolation. “There are certain issues that affect mature drivers more so than other groups however, such as reductions in mobility and a slowdown in reaction times. The great news from this survey is that mature drivers themselves are aware of the risks and support action to review their safety. “Voluntary self-assessment and better education via GPs are important techniques for helping drivers understand how long they can continue to drive safely for. And for those needing a confidence boost or a little extra reassurance on today’s busy roads, the IAM’s Mature Driver Assessment could be something to think about.”
Mature Driver's Assessment A 60-minute driving assessment to give you – or a loved one – a trusted second opinion and the means to decide if it’s still safe to drive The Mature Driver’s Assessment is designed to help you – or an older relative – with the difficult and sensitive decision of when and if to stop driving. Perhaps you’re concerned that your reactions aren’t as fast as they used to be, or that your general driving ability has deteriorated over time. Or you may just need a little extra reassurance after a break from driving or prior to reapplying for your licence at age 70. If so, the Mature Driver’s Assessment offers an impartial second opinion to help you make the right decisions. At just £49, a Mature Driver’s Assessment could be one of the best investments you ever make in your own safety, the safety of your passengers and your confidence behind the wheel. Why not book yours today? www.iam.org.uk
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Spring Issue February 2016
Jeremy Clarkson: 'people who buy manual cars are mad'
Motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson says drivers of manual cars "are mad". Writing in his weekly column in The Sunday Times, the former Top Gear presenter said he'd had an epiphany while stuck in traffic for more than two hours last week. He wrote: "'Why,' I wailed inwardly, 'would anyone ever buy a car with a manual gearbox these days?' It's like saying, 'I don't need a television with a remote control. I'm perfectly capable of walking over to it and changing the channel myself.'" There is a pleasure to be found in driving a car with manual transmission when on a scenic hilltop or speeding around a racetrack, Clarkson added, but on the Oxford ring road a manual gearbox "is just annoying." People who would buy a gearstick manual "are the sort who choose not to have a washing machine because they prefer to clean their clothes in the local river," he continued. Nevertheless, the buying statistics are against him. "Yes, automatics in whatever form are becoming more popular, but even so, more than 70 per cent of all cars sold in Britain have manual gearboxes", Clarkson said, concluding: "That means more than 70 per cent of Britain's car drivers are mad." So, what do you think? Should we all be buying a car with an automatic (or semi-automatic) gearbox to take the hassle out of modern day driving, or do you yearn for the control the manual gearstick gives? Send your opinions not to Clarkson but to editor@stratfordiam.org.uk
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Spring Issue February 2016 Upcoming events: Date
Event
26/02/2016 Quiz night
Details Snitterfield Sports Club. Includes light meal.
14/05/2016 Visit to Thenford Lunch in local pub beforehand. Entry to garden £12 Arboretum 23/07/2016 Guide tour of Walsall Leather Museum 24/09/2016 Guided tour backstage at Birmingham Symphony Hall
1 hour. Free entry. Lunch in cafe onsite, then pm visit to Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton. Starting at 10:30 am Cost adult £8.50, concessions - £7.50. Lunch and visit Birmingham Art Gallery where there is an exhibition of the Staffordshire Hoard
PLEASE BOOK IN FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE EVENTS. Tel: (01789) 730276 Email Address: events@stratfordiam.org.uk Position
Holder
Chairman
Mark Langstone
Secretary
Mike Page
Treasurer
Dot Holtom
treasurer@stratfordiam.org.uk
Christine Johnstone
course@stratfordiam.org.uk
Course Coordinator Events
Lindsay Rushton
Phone
Email chairman@stratfordiam.org.uk
01789 763732
01789 730276
secretary@stratfordiam.org.uk
events@stratfordiam.org.uk
Membership
Sarah Brook-Taylor
membership@stratfordiam.org.uk
Observer Training
Ian Gibbins
observertraining@stratfordiam.org.uk
Publicity
Brian Feely
press@stratfordiam.org.uk
Newsletter
Keith Madderson
editor@stratfordiam.org.uk
Committee
Colin Upchurch Don Rushton Jan Copson
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