IAM RoadSmart has revamped its road safety manifesto, highlighting seven areas the charity believes can make the most impact in reducing the number of people killed on UK roads.
The manifesto, which will form the basis of IAM RoadSmart’s response to the ongoing Government inquiry into road safety, has an emphasis on improved driver and rider behaviour.
Embracing all stages of a driving or riding career, from immediate post-test into older age, the manifesto underlines the importance of periodic refresher courses.
It also includes extending driver rehabilitation for a wider variety of motoring convictions and highlights the impact of new technology as the switch to autonomous and connected vehicles continues to gather pace.
The refreshed manifesto has been published to coincide with the appointment of Andy Barrett as the new IAM RoadSmart chairman, replacing Ken Kier OBE.
Andy Barrett has been managing director of Ford of Britain since 2015. In that time he overseen the manufacturer’s ‘Share the Road’ initiative, which encourages cooperation and understanding between road users.
Mr Barrett said: “To be appointed chairman of IAM RoadSmart is an honour. I wholeheartedly support IAM RoadSmart’s manifesto pledge that post-test training is vital for safer roads.
“I’m delighted to be taking a leading role for a charity whose principal purpose is to make better drivers and riders.”
Mike Quinton, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “I am delighted that we have attracted someone of the calibre, standing and seniority in the UK automotive industry as Andy to the role of chairman.
“I am confident his knowledge and contacts will be invaluable in driving us forward and I look forward to drawing on his skills and leadership experience.”
Exactly Nigel… MOST situations can be anticipated but..it’s the ones you can’t anticipate where you need instant stopping ability.
Hugh Jones
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Noted, Hugh, but in my almost 50 years of advanced driving, including the High Performance Course for example, I have never yet had the need to jam on the brakes like that. Most situations (there is never a 100% rule) can be anticipated, in which case one slows down and, if necessary, covers the brake; in other words being ahead of the game. As a general guideline anyone getting caught out that badly is not thinking and anticipating enough.
Nigel ALBRIGHT
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Nigel – it comes into its own in those situations where no amount of observation or planning would help i.e. the threat becomes sudden and unpredictable. Imagine driving down a road with vehicles parked both sides with not much clearance either side at a sensible reduced speed…and a car door is flung open or a child emerges from between the parked cars – you need to be able to stop instantly which is what left foot braking gives you (and right foot and declutching in a manual doesn’t).
Hugh Jones
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Yes, Hugh. I understand all of that but, if that habit becomes habituated and one goes back to a manual vehicle it could present a serious problem – go for the brake and you hit the clutch!. In competition work or extreme high-speed driving, including rallying etc then it’s a useful technique but in general road driving, as already mentioned, anyone needing to do that on a regular basis would suggest to me lack of observation and planning and not already reducing speed for a potential threat.
Nigel ALBRIGHT
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Rob and Nigel: the left foot hovers over the brake, inevitably making it quicker to apply the brake than lifting the right foot off the throttle and then on to the brake – it’s instant braking ability and not delayed braking and can make the difference between a near-miss and a collision.
Hugh Jones
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Hugh wrote: ‘Significantly shorter stopping distances via left-foot braking, compared to a manual Nigel – hence a potentially safer drive.’
Sorry, Hugh, in my view that is a scenario for poor observation and anticipation. Stages of reducing speed: 1) Reduce throttle input (2) – and this is the important one, cover the brake – don’t touch it, just cover it in case it is needed That’s where you remove the thinking and reaction time and puts you ahead of the game and (3) apply brake if necessary.
As a general rule if you have the foot on the thottle and suddenly need to jam on the brakes then you’ve missed something along the way.
Nigel ALBRIGHT
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A lot depends on the drivers ability to not only see a potential or actual danger on the road ahead but to also recognise the danger and react to it. To eventually recognise and then understand what is happening and the need to emergency brake and not just slow down. All this in the time and shorter distances they usually give to cars in front that distance not being the safe stopping distances but sometimes the recommended Thinking Distances only or less. If the following on distances are reduced dramatically, which they are,then it won’t matter which foot hits the brake first.
In the vast majority of circumstances the left foot would be as useless as the right foot if the danger isn’t recognised and that’s when an understanding or decision to brake ends up being too late anyway.
R.Craven
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Significantly shorter stopping distances via left-foot braking, compared to a manual Nigel – hence a potentially safer drive.
Hugh Jones
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Hugh wrote: ‘…on the plus side, the Mustang is probably automatic – in my view, leading to a safer drive.’ Debatable, Hugh, in my opinion. The first time I drove an automatic (it was the family car) I thought it was encouraging a lazy brain, though for older people I can understand its value.
On the IAM Roadsmart re-vamp, oh dear, where are the key features for improving safety, therefore reducing crashes, awareness of space and time. There’s a potential 30% value there.
Nigel ALBRIGHT
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…on the plus side, the Mustang is probably automatic – in my view, leading to a safer drive.
Hugh Jones
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I guess his message is that there is no replacement for displacement, as this particular vehicle is quoted by the DVLA as having just under 5 litres of displacement.
In addition, I couldn’t easily find this manifesto. Here is a link to it, for further reference:
https://www.iamroadsmart.com/media-and-policy/research-and-policy/iam-roadsmart-manifesto
David Weston, Corby
0
And chooses to be photographed in front of fastest car Ford offers. What message does this send about IAM RoadSmart and their new chairman?
Rod King, Warrington
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