AUGUST 2012
The Institute of Advanced Motorists Group briefing welcome
Welcome to Insight, the monthly newsletter produced for IAM groups and their members. Speed cameras not so flash
It seems as if the public are finally behind speed cameras. Our annual survey of attitudes to speed cameras this month showed that 82 per cent of people find them acceptable. Almost exactly the same number think they are beneficial to road safety.
But the real point about speed is not about being caught, punished and then compelled to take training, it is to get your speed right in the first place. Slowing down because there’s a speed camera is a conditioning response. It does not guarantee safe driving anywhere else on the road network.
Recent research in Scotland backs this. There, the average number of people seriously injured or killed per year has decreased 68% at safety camera sites compared to the most recent three-year average. This brings the number of killed and seriously injured down from 337 to 108 a year.
Many drivers think that driving a couple of miles over the speed limit, makes no difference to driving safety. In fact, it’s the difference between life and death. We’ve all seen the figures. Hit someone at 20mph and 99 per cent survive. At 30mph it’s 80 per cent. But at 35mph there’s a 50 per cent chance they’ll die. That rises to 90 per cent at 40mph. Those are big reasons why we need drivers, and especially young drivers, to take speed awareness
Scotland, where speed cameras are most popular, has the lowest speeding rates. Wales, where the cameras are least popular, has the highest.
Warwick conference call
Two wheels good
Biking online
courses, before they are caught on camera. They might not think it, but those drivers for whom the impact of speeding is a fine and an awareness course are the lucky ones. ‘Speed cameras: a snapshot of public opinion’ will be published on Tuesday 28 August 2012. The report will then be made available to the general public.
Simon Best Chief executive ceo@iam.org.uk
York partnershiP
www.iam.org.uk Insight AUGUST 2012
Speed camera report, out 28 August 2012
AUGUST 2012 Warwick conference call This year’s IAM conference weekend takes place at Warwick University’s Ramphal building, The car conference is on Saturday 6 October and motorcycle conference on Sunday 7 October.
• Marketing and closing a sale
Groups should have received their invitation and booking form and copies are available on the groups section of the IAM website. Look under 2012 Conference.
We look forward to meeting with all the delegates and to an informative and successful conference weekend.
• Social networks and websites • Regional Manager development
This year we will have the whole building for the entire weekend, including nine breakout rooms and that will enable us to offer a choice of workshops and seminars conducted by IAM staff as well as IAM updates, awards and forum discussion... Examples of them are: • The IAM in 3 years vision • Test requirements • Car and bike forums • Policy and Research • Car and motorcycle tyres and technology • IMI Observer Qualification pilot update
Award winners at the IAM car conference, 2011
• Modular routes to membership
Two wheels good
York partnership
The IAM continues its safe biking campaign by calling for crash barriers to be made safer for motorcycling in this month’s edition of Advanced Driving Magazine, campaign taken up in the Daily Mirror and Auto Express.
Biking online Better biking, our dedicated biker site had 8,000 visitors in August, but we want to add much more touring advice. Why not recommend and promote the site to your friends? Contact us to share stories and photos of your latest tour. And offer suggestions on how we can improve the site.
I’m pleased to announce our recent partnership with York Council to provide Momentum assessment courses for young people. Since 1 August, drivers under 26 who live or work in York have had the opportunity to take a free Momentum course. We will be promoting the full Skill for Life programme to encourage them to take the advanced test.
For more information on Insight, please contact the IAM press office, email: press.office@iam.org.uk phone: 020 8996 9777 www.iam.org.uk Insight AUGUST 2012