THE LINK - iam-bristol.org.uk · 2014 Advanced Driving Course Dates TELL FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES ( PRE-BOOKING REQUIRED ) JANUARY 2014 Seminars on Wednesdays Jan 22nd, Jan 29th,

THE LINK

the newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 1

Circulation 425 no: 266 Jan 2014

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 email: [email protected]

IAM Bristol Group: www.iam-bristol.org.uk IAM Chiswick (national): www.iam.org.uk

IAM? Bristol Group? Who we are and what we do

This LINK is the newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists, which is a Group (or Club) affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

We, and the other 210 local IAM Groups, are independent volunteer organisations, but are officially affiliated to the national IAM and work extremely closely with it. Local Groups are Membership Clubs, with two main functions. Today, firstly they provide Advanced Driving Guidance to enrolled Members of the Public (Associates), preparing them for the IAM Advanced Driving Test. Details of how we do this in the Bristol area can be found on page FIVE. Secondly, they offer a local focus for existing IAM Members to continue their interest in Advanced Driving.

The national IAM is the UK’s leading Road Safety charity, dedicated to increasing skills for all road users, improving standards and safety in driving and riding, and helping to save lives on our roads. It is largely financed by the membership fees from IAM Members and Associates.

The IAM has commercial arms which charge for training provided: IAM Drive & Survive for Occupational Drivers who drive for work, and IAM Driver Retraining Academy Ltd for Offence Re-training courses.

This newsletter is printed, collated and despatched by Group volunteers.

It is also displayed for free access on our website: www.iam-bristol.org.uk

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 IAM Chiswick. The Group reserves the right to edit or otherwise amend original materiel submitted for publication. Materiel submitted may also be published on the Group website and in other IAM Group newsletters. If you wish to reproduce any materiel, please credit the LINK, Bristol Advanced Motorists, as the source.

Editor: Paul Hunt [email protected] 0117 960 8494 21 De Verose Court, Hanham, BRISTOL BS15 3SW

http://www.iam.org.uk/


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.iam-bristol.org.uk/




Jan 2014 Read this newsletter on our website www.iam-bristol.org.uk

Contents this Issue

page Bristol Group and the IAM explained 1 Motorists’ Question Time / Recruit ! 3 Recent IAM Test Successes 4 What’s this course about? / Associate Course Dates 5 Young Driver Twins / Twitter / Facebook 6 Young Driver Refund Offer on Skill for Life 7 Refresher Success / Observer Re-qualification 8 Bristol Group’s Advanced Driving Refresher Course 9 Volunteering Opportunities 10 FAD Course – enrol now ! 11 Young Driver Survey Results 12 Group News – Pam steps down, Driving Documents,

Subs Renewals, Recent Publicity 13

50-year IAM Member 15 IAM Geographical Structure changes 16 IAM Chiswick News 18 Forthcoming Monthly Meeting Speakers 19 Three-in-a-Car dates 20 CALENDAR – WHAT’S ON ? 21 MG Motors date set / Interested in Advanced Motorbiking? 22 Letters to the Editor – Xmas Advert, Better Than Thou,

GDE+P+S, Older Associates, Newts, Awkward Situations 24

Yellow Night Driving Glasses 26 The Traffic Wombles are in town tonight 28 New Roads and Street Works Act 31 Advert: TOLLGATE car and van hire 32 Driving News 33 Illegal Speed Limit Signs / Horse Rage 35 Judged by Dashcam 36 Bicyclists – the Future or the Problem? 37 EasyFundraising 39

CONTACT US: your guide to who does what 40

All content compiled by the Editor unless otherwise credited. Contributors this issue: Geoff Bevan, Terrence Chippendale, Pauline Crowther, Barnaby Ellis, Martin Evans, Tony Gilbert, Graham Harlin, Pam Hunt, Paul Hunt, Margaret James, Andrew Nicholls, Clare Reeves, Amanda Smith, Tollgate Hire, Andrew, Debra, John. Thank you also to all people talked to during research.

We welcome items from our readers Letters. Pieces on advanced or general driving topics. Your experiences as an Observer or Associate. Offer to write a report of Group Events or Meetings. Send email, letter, or phone. Photos - electronic or prints.

[email protected] 0117 960 8494 21 De Verose Court, Hanham, BRISTOL BS15 3SW

DEADLINE DATE for items to include in March issue: Sat 15th February

Page 2 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists


Read this newsletter on our website www.iam-bristol.org.uk Jan 2014

image credit: philipmartin free clip art

Motorists’ Question Time – in March You can ask all sorts of motoring questions: Basic driving issue. Technical motoring issue. Explanation of IAM course/tests/ Observer training.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS NOW ! ! ! Contact Martin Evans 0117 979 8061 [email protected]

All Members and Associates take note: FIRST ADVANCED DRIVING COURSE OF 2014 starts 22nd January

It’s too late to get people to enrol on this one, but three other courses will run throughout 2014, with the first seminars of each on, respectively, APRIL 23rd, JULY 09th and OCTOBER 22nd. Pre-booking is required.

The Associate Course is the most important thing that the Group does – and Personal Recommendation by Members is the best publicity – so, IT’S OVER TO YOU - START RECOMMENDING and RECRUITING.

The Skill for Life programme is available to any driver who holds a full EU driving licence. We offer a full refund offer to drivers under 25 who live in the South Glos and Bristol City areas (thanks to Council funding), but we are also keen to recruit drivers IN ALL OTHER AGE GROUPS – those in MIDDLE-AGE and those COMING-UP TO RETIREMENT are often interested in the IAM and should definitely not be ignored.

The programme aims to give any driver the skills required to make them feel confident, safer – and therefore to make driving less stressful and more enjoyable – and eventually to pass the Advanced Driving Test.

If you are already an IAM Member - who took the Test some years ago – consider the Group’s REFRESHER COURSE, itself based on Skill for Life.

For further information on Courses, the Group or the IAM, contact us: 0117 979 8061 [email protected] www.iam-bristol.org.uk






Recent IAM Test Successes by Pam Hunt

The Committee and Members of Bristol Group congratulate the following people, who have recently passed the IAM Advanced Driving Test after taking part in the Bristol Group’s Skill for Life Associate Scheme.

ASSOCIATE OBSERVER MICHAEL BALLARD VINCE ROBERTSON NIRMAL BISSONAUTH DAVE CALLISTER MICHAEL DEMENIS BOB HAWKSLEY JOHN LANDSHOFF BARNABY ELLIS SAM STEEPER PETE GOODMAN WILL THOMAS PAM HUNT

You will all be Upgraded to Group Full Member until the end of 2014.

Most Certificates are presented at our Club Social Meetings, 4th Tuesday, BAWA, 7:30pm, which are by no means restricted to Members. Associates, both current and waiting to start their course, and members of the public are all welcome. There is no charge for entry. By attending, we hope you will learn something of the Group, meet some Members, and maybe become more involved in the activities of the Group.

We hope that in due course each of you will continue as both an IAM Member and a Bristol Group Member and support our efforts to help other people in the Bristol area to become better drivers.

above: Stephen Rumney (right) accepts his Certificate from Group Vice-Chairman Marlene Baker at a Group Monthly Meeting. “The course was very good”, said Stephen. “I would say I enjoyed it all – even the Test”. photo: Geoff Bevan



Skill for Life – a Driving Course to develop your skills

The Skill for Life Advanced Driving course is open to anyone who holds a Full EU Driving Licence. The course, based on UK Police driver training, enables drivers to gain knowledge of a wide range of Advanced Driving principles, and develops driving competencies which can help you become a better driver, a driver who feels more confident, and safer – and who will therefore find driving less stressful and more enjoyable.

Whether a brand new or young driver, or a driver ‘with years of experience’, you will benefit from this comprehensive driving programme - drivers who have passed the Advanced Driving Test reduce their risk of being involved in a road crash by up to 75%.

The Skill for Life course begins with two theory seminar sessions, before you embark on a series of regular, individually tailored, on-road guidance sessions, at times convenient to you and your Observer. The course gives drivers the skills required to pass the IAM’s Advanced Driving Test, the ultimate accolade in driving safety. Bristol

Group aims for you to complete course and Test within 6 months.

Every Skill for Life course now comes with 12 months FREE RAC roadside and recovery cover (£106 RRP) so there has never been a better time to become an Advanced Driver!

Young Driver aged 17-24 ? Then you could have your Skill for Life fee refunded when you pass the IAM Test. See page SEVEN.

2014 Advanced Driving Course Dates TELL FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES ( PRE-BOOKING REQUIRED )

JANUARY 2014 Seminars on Wednesdays Jan 22nd, Jan 29th, Mar 12th. APRIL 2014 Seminars on Wednesdays Apr 23rd, Apr 30th, Jun 11th. JULY 2014 Seminars on Wednesdays Jul 09th, Jul 16th, Aug 27th. OCTOBER 2014 Seminars on Wednesdays Oct 22nd, Oct 29th, Dec 03rd.

Don’t have the time or commitment? Enquire about our one-off DriveCheck Assessment.

For details of course or assessment, contact: 0117 979 8061 or [email protected]




F1RST and Refund for Young Driver Twins

above: An unusual event. Young Driver twins James (left) and Anthony Willcocks pictured with Group Vice-Chairman Marlene Baker at the November Group Meeting. The twins both received IAM F1RST Certificates and both also received a refund of their Skill for Life fee courtesy of our scheme funded by South Gloucestershire Council. photo: Geoff Bevan

Follow us on Twitter by Geoff Bevan @ iam_bristol DON’T DO IT WHILST DRIVING

You can see all the tweets on our account without belonging to Twitter. https://twitter.com/iam_bristol or search for Twitter IAM Bristol

Find us on Facebook by Barnaby Ellis DON’T DO IT WHILST DRIVING – Our new ‘open’ Facebook page is viewable without you needing to belong to Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/BristolAdvancedMotoristsor search for Facebook Bristol Advanced Motorists


http://www.twitter.com/iam_bristol

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=171078605914&ref=ts


Full Money-back Offer for South Gloucestershire

under-25 Young Drivers who pass the IAM Test

Turning Young Drivers into Advanced Drivers

BRISTOL ADVANCED MOTORISTS is pleased to be working with SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL to promote better driving and

reduce casualties in the vulnerable under-25 age group.

We are offering a Full Refund of the £139 IAM Skill for Life course fee to qualifying Young Drivers who pass the IAM Advanced Driving Test.

The refund offer is open to Drivers aged under-25 who are RESIDENTS in the SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Local Authority Area,

or who WORK PERMANENTLY in that area, or alternatively who are undertaking FULL-TIME EDUCATION in that area.

The Refund will be given to those qualifying Young Drivers who pass the IAM Advanced Driving Test within 12 months of starting guidance, and who are aged under 25 on the day they pass the IAM Test.

South Gloucestershire Council's Road Safety Team is providing the funding as an incentive. We currently have plenty of funding available.

Do YOU know a Young Driver who could benefit? BRISTOL GROUP Bring this to his / her attention,

or talk to the parents.

Further details available from Bristol Group Secretary Martin

on 0117 979 8061 or from [email protected]

Money-back offer also for under-25 Y

oung Drivers who live in the Bristol City area Under-25 Young Drivers who live in the Bristol City Council area and who pass the IAM Test before their 25th birthday can also receive a full Skill for Life course fee refund, thanks to limited funds released by Bristol City Council's Road Safety Team. Enquire as above.





Refresher Course Success “The course was very good indeed and worth every penny”, said Andy. “It was really enlightening and renewed my interest in advanced driving”.

above: Member Andy West-Bartlett (left) is one of our latest Refresher Course participants. He is pictured here receiving his Completion Certificate from Group Chairman Andy Cole at a Group Monthly Meeting. photo: Geoff Bevan

Observer Re-Qualifications Congratulations to Nick Perry, who is the latest of the Bristol Group’s Senior Observers to re-qualify under the new externally accredited National Observer scheme. Nick joins four other existing National Observers Geoff Bevan, Andy Cole, Martin Evans and Bob Hawksley. Eventually all Senior Observers will hopefully re-qualify as National Observers.

Our Qualified Observers will continue to re-qualify as such for the time being. We understand that the new externally-accredited Local Observer scheme due to replace it will hopefully pass through trials and be ready for roll-out by late Summer of 2014. above: Nick Perry. archive photo by Paul Hunt



BRISTOL ADVANCED MOTORISTS

ADVANCED DRIVING REFRESHER COURSE

The Refresher course is run by Bristol Group for existing IAM Members, who passed the IAM Advanced Driving Test maybe some years ago. It provides an opportunity for you to ‘refresh’ your Advanced Driving skills to a current level where you could easily pass the IAM Test again.

Without regular re-assessment or re-reading of the IAM manual and Highway Code, many IAM Members find that their knowledge and application of Advanced Driving skills reduces to a standard below that needed to pass the IAM Test. Ask yourself random questions, such as: ● Can you name and explain the underlying factor and the four phases that make-up the System of Car Control? ● Can you put words to C………… O………… A………… P………… ? ● How are you at Cockpit Drill and POWDERY? ● Can you explain Limit Point Analysis? ● What about Short Stay and Long Stay? ● Can you explain the techniques for safe Motorway driving?

If you said “ NO “ to any of those, or similar questions, or are unsure, then the Refresher course is for you.

You share the three classroom seminars of an Associate course, and also your allocated Observer will give you six practical driving guidance sessions, individually tailored to your requirements. There isn’t a Test, but a Certificate of Completion will be awarded. Cost: £39.

To take part in the course, you need to be a current national IAM Member, and also a current Bristol Group Member. If you are not a current Bristol Group Member, you will additionally need to join Bristol Advanced Motorists. The annual Membership fee is £20. Ask us for an application form.

Previous course participant Pauline says, “I would recommend the Refresher, particularly to longer-term Members who took the IAM Test some years ago. It has boosted my confidence and, I believe, has made me a better driver.”

Courses for 2014 start in January, April, July and October.

For further information please contact: 0117 979 8061 [email protected]





Volunteering Opportunities in Bristol Group

ALL AVAILABLE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

Any Group needs all roles filled. Bristol Group is one of the largest local IAM Groups in the UK, with around 300 Group Full Members – so surely from our ranks we can find people to perform the following tasks:

OBSERVERS – THE ESSENTIAL GROUP ROLE We need more Members to train to act as OBSERVERS – especially those living in the SOUTH of our area, and LADIES in general.

MEETING REPORTER A casual post within the Group. The person (or persons taking it in turn) will take notes at Monthly Meetings and write a one or two-page summary/impression of the guest speaker’s talk for inclusion in the LINK.

SOCIAL ORGANISER A Group role that is usually a Committee post – but it need not be. The person will promote and organise Group social events – such as visits to local venues of interest, social evenings, etc. Some ideas already exist.

MONTHLY MEETING SPEAKER ORGANISER Another Group role that’s usually a Committee post – but it need not be. The task is to seek out and book speakers on interesting, relevant topics. Present incumbent Clare has sorted this job right through 2014 - so there’s plenty of time for a new person to settle-in to organising 2015.

ASSISTANTS and OTHER SMALL JOBS Our Treasurer is also Editor, and our one, single Chief Observer also covers Publicity and the Website. So you can see we don’t have enough Helpers, or people on Committee. But far from jumping in at the deep end, there are opportunities for newcomers to act as ASSISTANTS or to undertake OTHER SMALL TASKS – such as COLLATION volunteers. Volunteers please step forward – especially those ARMCHAIR MEMBERS whom we never see and so cannot approach directly at Monthly Meetings.

INTERESTED ? If YOU can help, please get in touch with the GROUP CHAIRMAN. See the phone and email contacts on the CONTACT US page. Or APPROACH ANY COMMITTEE MEMBER either via the listed contacts or personally at a Monthly Meeting.



FURTHER ADVANCED DRIVING COURSE –

A FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO ENROL ON THE 2014 COURSE – THE FIRST STEP TO BECOMING AN OBSERVER

Course re-timed for May, with a ‘closing date’ of 31st March. Bristol Group is planning to hold a FAD Course in May 2014, with classroom sessions at the BAWA Club on MAY 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. This course aims to improve driving from IAM Test pass level, using Roadcraft as the text, and concentrating on System and Commentary. It is a higher-level driving course on its own, or the essential precursor to the Observer Course. One FAD course is held per year. Cost is £39. This course must be completed, i.e. the final test taken, by 31st August.

Note that participants may be asked to undergo a pre-course driving assessment to assess their suitability.

To find out more please contact Margaret James NOW 01454 776416 or [email protected] CLOSING DATE 31st MARCH.

BECOME AN OBSERVER It is hoped that those who complete the FAD course will continue onto the Group’s OBSERVER course, which will be held later in 2014 and which is 95% concerned with ‘training /guidance’ techniques. There is no further charge for the Observer course.

COME ON, GIRLS! Committee is keen to encourage some more FEMALE Members to take-up Observing. Bristol Group attracts a higher than average number of female Associates – around 33% of the total - but has very few female Observers to give guidance to those who would prefer a female Observer. So, come on girls, apply for the FAD course now!

LIVE SOUTH OF THE RIVER ? THEN WE NEED YOU ! The Group has become extremely short of Observers living in the Southern part of our area – so if you live there and would like to become an Observer – please get in touch!

TO FIND OUT MORE about Observing, FAD and Observer courses, contact Margaret James 01454 776416 [email protected]





Young Driver Survey – some good results Bristol Group has been running the Skill for Life Refund Scheme since July 2010. South Gloucestershire Council, the main provider of the supporting funding, was looking for some evidence to prove that the scheme is worthwhile, and worthy of continuing, and posed some questions. Gary Nunn designed an online survey using surveymonkey, and all 42 of the Young Drivers who have received a refund were invited to complete the survey, with an incentive of a £50 ‘reward’ in a draw. 12 responded – not many, it may seem, but actually a rather good percentage response rate.

At the November Monthly Meeting the names of all the responders were ‘put in a hat’ – all verified by Martin and Paul – and the draw was made by speaker Lee Evans of the Highways Agency, in front of all members present. The slip drawn bore the name of Michael Garland, who was an Associate in 2011, and the reward cheque has been forwarded to him. above: At the November 2013 Monthly Meeting of the Bristol Group, guest speaker Traffic Officer Lee Evans of the Highways Agency (left) draws the winning name from the basket being held by Survey Organiser Gary Nunn.

photo: Geoff Bevan, 26:11:2013

The survey results are very encouraging. Some Young Drivers had suffered ‘accidents’ or convictions before taking the course, but none had any such incidents afterwards. Every one of the ‘free text’ comments about the course and its affect on driving standards was positive.

Secretary Martin described the comments as “marketing gold ” for use in future publicity. He added, “What's particularly impressive is that they are all Young Drivers, enthusing about the IAM course and what they have learnt. This will help dispel the myths about Advanced Driving which many Young (and older) Drivers have.”



Group News

PAM HAS STEPPED-DOWN AS ASSOCIATES ADMINISTRATOR Pam Hunt writes: “Happy New Year to you all ! After almost 14 years of holding the post of Associates Administrator with the Group, I have decided to step down to allow someone new to take over. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything that was involved with the job – meeting and helping new Associates, and communicating with all Observers.

A big thank-you to everyone for your help, advice, co-operation and, most of all, for your friendship.”

Pam has also stepped-down from the Group Committee, on which she has been since 1994, in the early years having had other posts, notably Social Organiser.

Pam will however continue as an Observer until her ticket runs out in 2015, when requalification becomes due.

left: Pam soaking-up the rays in November on Portsea Beach, Victoria, Australia. photo: Barbara Walshe

CHECKING YOUR LICENCE, INSURANCE, TAX DISC, MoT Doing this is an IAM and Group requirement when a new Associate joins the Group, etc., and is currently very easy. Now however we are rapidly moving to a situation where the paper Tax Disc will be no more (from October 2014 it will only be an electronic record), with the paper Driving Licence Counterpart following by mid-2015. Insurance and MoT Records are already held electronically with paper back-ups available presently.

Checking electronic records will be easy for a Police Officer with the correct equipment, but impossible for an IAM Official or Observer. Until an approved solution is found by IAM Chiswick, a Declaration from the Associate and a level of trust may have to prevail, if that is permitted.

There has been a problem for some time with certain electronically-renewed Car Insurance policies, which only allow a copy to be downloaded for printing for one month after renewal, leaving the Associate unable to provide us with proof of current cover.



GROUP SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS

Thank-you to all those Group Members who have already renewed. We are always somewhat in limbo over the early January period as we wait to see the Standing Order and Cheque Renewals come in. I can say though that with this LINK we are sending 99 Reminders to tardy cheque-payers.

If you are currently a cheque-payer you have the following options: Pay by Cheque ( our preferred method number 2 ) ● Post it, or ● Hand it to a Committee Member at the January Meeting. Pay by Cash ● Hand it to a Committee Member at the January Meeting; ● Go into a Lloyds Bank Branch, and pay-in cash at the counter; Pay by Bank Standing Order ( our preferred method number 1 ) ● Go to a Branch of your Bank, and set-up a Bank Standing Order; Use Telephone Banking, Internet Banking, or a Mobile Banking App. ● Make a Single Electronic Transfer, or ● Set-up a Regular Electronic Transfer (i.e. a Standing Order).

[ For Cash-at-Branch, Standing Order, or Telephone, Internet, and Mobile Banking payments, just email our Treasurer and ask for the Group’s Bank details.] GROUP PUBLICITY ACTIVITY The Group has made no publicity outings in the last few months, but the word has got out in other ways. Martin was interviewed by John Darvall of BBC Radio Bristol on December 11th regarding our Young Driver Refund Scheme. Geoff did similar on 19th November concerning the dangers of mobile phone use, and Paul was twice quoted in the Bristol Post about new camera enforcement. South Glos Road Safety Officer Alan Hale also spoke on BBC Radio Bristol about Young Drivers. Each of these items of course mentioned Bristol Advanced Motorists.

Geoff has placed new publicity in local publications such as Filton Voice, Forest Edge News and in 10 Stanbrook Guides, and on 16 Local People websites across our area, and has provided tailored news releases and driving tips for On My Doorstep in 800 villages all across the UK.

We sought involvement with the Police Safer Stronger Communities initiative – but we were very surprised to be rejected because they have a policy of “no organisations, no sales, no promotion of services” – a very disappointing attitude to say the least.

Immediate future plans involve a Spring trial ‘DriveCheck Event’ with a local school PTA. And we may be able to get involved – we’ll wait and see - with Avon and Somerset Police’s new thrust on education.



I AM a 50-YEAR MEMBER NEWS ABOUT MEMBERS

Member Terrence Chippendale writes: Martin, I have received this letter from IAM Chiswick: Dear Mr Chippendale, Date as Postmark Warm Congratulations on achieving 50 years of IAM membership I am writing to congratulate and thank you for reaching 50 years of IAM membership. You have joined a very select group of IAM members and to mark the achievement I enclose a couple of very special; ‘limited edition’ mementos: our elegant boxed commemoration pen and a golden car windscreen sticker. The challenge of driving on our roads has changed considerably since you became an IAM member and thanks to your generous support the IAM charity continues to develop the skills of UK road users to meet the demands of modern driving. Congratulations again on reaching this significant milestone with the IAM and I would ask you to please continue to spread the word about our advanced driving courses to your family and friends . Paul Woozley Membership Development Manager Terry continues: “No doubt you have seen similar ones from other Members so you can add this to the list [actually, no, Terry, we haven’t – we have only seen the list of 50-year Members that is posted on the IAM website - Ed.]

“I reached the 50 years in May but I did not receive this letter until November. It has taken me until my 80th year to reach this milestone, not having started to drive a car until I was 27. Before that I was a Lambretta scooterist, come pedal bicyclist.

“Sorry about the scribble on the IAM letter – I just had to try the pen – and surprise - it works ! ”



IAM’s Geographical Structure is Changing

BACKGROUND If you are reading this, you are one of the select 1-in-5 IAM Members who additionally belong to an IAM Group; one of the active Members.

An IAM Group is more than a club; it is a Membership Charity, with the Members actively promoting and carrying-out the objects and work of the Charity in support of the paid-bods at Ivory Towers, London W4.

EMERGENT DEVELOPMENT PLANS and THE NEED FOR CHANGE The Geographic Structure of the IAM – in other words the existence of local support Groups – has traditionally been voluntary, right up to the Regional Co-ordinators, who were the final top link with Chiswick. But you are probably aware of the pilot scheme a year or so ago, which saw two new Paid Managers installed in the former South-East Region.

The Advanced Driving course Skill for Life has been advertised and sold nationally by IAM Chiswick for some years now. But with over 200 independently-run IAM Groups, there have been over 200 ways of delivering the same product. Further, some of these ways have been good, and some, shall we say, “not so good”. And this difference goes further, into the ways the Groups are run, the level of service they provide for the general public and the activities they provide for their members.

The thinking is that a Paid Regional Manager can ‘support’ local volunteers in the Groups with their procedures, help with creating Skill for Life sales and retaining existing members, help create opportunities for the IAM through partnerships with Councils and Road Safety organisations, and develop opportunities with Commercial customers. They can also assist with the roll-out of new products to local Groups, for example, Modules.

NEW REGION MAP The IAM geographic structure was traditionally laid-out in 8 Regions. The new set-up (see maps opposite) from January 2014 is for 5 Regions: ● Scotland ● North ● Central England and Wales ● Southern ● with Northern Ireland remaining for the moment as a special case with its 7 Groups under a Regional Co-ordinator.

Each of the 4 main Regions gets one Paid Regional Operations Manager, working alongside the existing IAM Staff Examiners. We in Southern have Mark Trimmer, Central England has Andy Bolton and, from 06 Jan, Gill MacGregor will cover Scotland and Toby Shaw will cover the North.



THE OLD . . . THE NEW

SCOTLAND 6 8 N. IRELAND 4 NORTH 5 CENTRAL ENGLAND & WALES 3 7

1 2 SOUTHERN

There are some changes to boundaries, noticeably in our locality. Our old Region 1 loses all Groups in South Wales, and the border moves south meaning we also lose Gloucestershire and Cirencester Groups. Further East, the former Region 2 loses Banbury and Oxford Groups. Conversely, we gain some Groups from the former Region 7 (East of England): High Wycombe; London NE & Essex; South Essex; Chelmsford; Colchester. So our Region now has Groups with 1xxx, 2xxx and 7xxx numbers.

WALES Wales has a Devolved Government, so it would be desirable to have a separate Wales Region. The problem is that Wales is essentially in two distinct cultural parts north and south, with a large void, both population and distance, separating the two parts. At least the latest arrangement has all of Wales in one Region, albeit combined with Central England.

THE MOTORCYCLE SITUATION Boundaries of Regions differ slightly regarding Car and Motorcycle Groups, because, as the separate Motorcycle Groups have come into existence, they have tended to cover slightly different Postcode areas. Unfortunately IAM Motorcyclists have a falsely-conceived idea that they are totally different from their Car colleagues, so IAM Groups seem to have split into two factions. Motorcyclists in Region One have for some time had partially-separate Region Forum meetings and have now even started their own ‘parallel universe’ regional meeting, so it’s hardly a unified organisation.



TERRITORIES You may have already heard of this term, mentioned at Conference. The next move will be the ‘agreed’ merging of Groups into larger units, maybe aligned with the initial suggested ‘Territories’. Fewer people are today willing to volunteer to sit on committees; larger admin areas will need fewer committee members overall. The idea is that one committee could cover the admin of several former Groups, whilst still having local Member Meetings and “Pods” of Observers remaining in the old centres. The pilot Central Southern Group is already in operation; some admin aspects do in fact work, aided by electronic communication, but any issues will present themselves over the next year and the viability can be further assessed. IAM Chiswick is even collecting the new Group’s Membership fees. Such things are not possible with over 200 individual Groups but may be feasible when the number of Groups reduces to 25 or so in the next few years.

Interesting times and changes coming in the next couple of years !

Other IAM Chiswick News 6-INSTALMENT SfL PAYMENT OPTION DELETED In 2012 IAM Chiswick offered a six-part Direct Debit payment plan with which to purchase Skill for Life, for a premium total price of £150. In October 2013 the option was withdrawn. No Associates with Bristol Group ever used the option anyway. None has used the two-part plan either.

IAM STAFF EXAMINER ANDY POULTON IS “MASTERS HERO” Our local Region One IAM Staff Examiner Andy Poulton received an IAM Employee Award in December. Quality Process Manager Amanda Smith nominated him to the IAM Senior Management Team, for his work not only within Region 1, but also nationally, with DTE, and especially with the new Masters Test, both with the IAM team and at the workshops at the IAM National Groups Conference.

Amanda told us, “I was delighted to hear that Andy’s nomination was successful”. She continued, “I know you will agree that Andy works tirelessly and with such great enthusiasm for the IAM. He is a terrific support to Mark Trimmer, your new Regional Operations Manager.” archive photo: by Geoff Bevan



Forthcoming Group Monthly Club Meetings

Clare Reeves, our Monthly Meetings Contact, has organised our meeting speakers for the whole of 2014. The current programme is below (may be subject to last-minute changes):

JANUARY Counterfeits of British Bank Notes. Gerald Little describes the German efforts of WW2.

FEBRUARY Port to Port – a journey along the Sharpness Canal A new talk from Paul Barnett, local Maritime Historian.

MARCH Motorists’ Question Time A ‘panel of experts’ answers your questions, in a repeat of the successful 2013 event.

APRIL After the AGM business - Chief Inspector Yannis Georgiou of the Roads Policing Unit, Avon and Somerset Police. The exact topic is currently unknown, but Yannis is acting as ‘Police Liaison man’ with the IAM and other organisations. He was interviewed on BBC Radio Bristol in September 2013 and came over as a talkative and personable chap.

MAY Bloodhound supersonic land speed record car Martin Evans gives an update on progress.

JUNE Ian Brooks, of abnormal load escorts, Road Pilots.

JULY Freewheelers – Emergency Motorbike Voluntary Service

AUGUST Martin Davey, who is involved with a scheme with the RAeS for schools to build a micro-light.

SEPTEMBER Lecturer / Consultant in Environmental Health Protection Dr. Sarah Jones

OCTOBER Graham Eason of Great Escape Classic Car Hire

NOVEMBER Drink/Drive presentation by W02 Chris Stockwell of the Army Reserve

INTO 2015 Ideas include the IAM’s Driver Re-training Academy and the UWE RACING project.

The Group is still on the lookout for fresh leads and ideas to keep the momentum going. So if you have a contact – or an idea for a subject – such as a topic, interest or hobby you are passionate about – then get in touch with Clare at [email protected]




Your Invitation to THREE-IN-A-CAR 2014 series from Chief Observer Geoff Date Time Location Team 1. Saturday 29 March 10.00am Old Sodbury, Cross Hands Cabot 2. Sunday 18 May 10.00am Gordano M5 Services Brunel 3. Thursday 03 July 19.00 evening Thornbury Leisure Centre Colston 4. Sunday 10 August 10.00am Old Sodbury, Cross Hands Cabot 5. Saturday 13 Sept 10.00am Gordano M5 Services Colston 6. Sunday 19 October 10.00am Keynsham, Ashton Way Brunel

This is your opportunity to get a few tips from some of the Region’s top Observers. Even if you’ve never been on a Three-in-a-Car you’ll be welcome but you’ll also be in for a real treat because not only are they FREE, they’re an ideal way of 'keeping in touch' with Advanced Driving. The sessions are designed for both Full Members and Associates and their purpose is to assist you in maintaining your high driving standards.

At the venue, a Team Leader will assign you into a set of three (or two - or even four). One of you elects to be first to drive (very brave!) and you all drive off in that car for 30 minutes or so on a course of your choice or, if you are not sure of the area, a course directed to you en-route. There is usually a good deal of helpful banter so most points will be covered as you go round, but at the end of each drive there will be an opportunity for you all to enjoy a short and sometimes entertaining de-brief! Someone else then elects to go next in their own car - and so on.

The event is over in around 2 hours, it’s FREE and it's good fun. No records are made - but there's usually plenty of good advice available!!

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS - March 29th is the first in the series for 2014, and Alan Dunn, who has organised this one, is keen to see as many of you there as possible to support him and the Group. The location is easy to access and amid some good country roads. Give Alan a head start: - call him to let him know you’ll be there. Don’t delay - call him today!

Contacts: Venues 1 and 4: Alan Dunn 01454 228093 07941 896 248 Venues 2 and 6: Andy Cole 07714 992 639 Venues 3 and 5: Tony Gilbert 07973 730 498



CALENDAR for Bristol Advanced Motorists Next Club/Social Meeting Topic – January 28th COUNTERFEITS OF BRITISH BANK NOTES. Gerald Little describes the German efforts of WW2. BAWA Pavilion Room 7:30pm for 7:45 start

JANUARY 2014 Wed 22 Skill for Life Course - seminar one BAWA 7:30pm Tue 28 Monthly Meeting BAWA Pavilion 7:30pm for 7:45 start COUNTERFEITS OF BRITISH BANK NOTES. Gerald Little describes the German efforts of WW2. Wed 29 Skill for Life Course - seminar two BAWA 7:30pm FEBRUARY Tue 11 Exec Committee Meeting - if you wish to raise an issue, contact the Group Chairman Sat 15 Copy Deadline for LINK newsletter (January issue) Tue 25 Monthly Meeting BAWA Pavilion 7:30pm for 7:45 start PORT TO PORT – a journey along the Sharpness Canal A new talk from Paul Barnett, local Maritime Historian. MARCH Mon 10 Newsletter Collation at BAWA 4:30 until 7:00 approx *** More helpers needed *** – contact Andrew Nicholls Tue 11 Exec Committee Meeting Wed 12 Skill for Life Course seminar three – Meet an Examiner BAWA 7:30pm Tue 25 Monthly Meeting BAWA Pavilion 7:30pm for 7:45 start MOTORISTS’ QUESTION TIME A ‘panel of experts’ answers your questions, in a repeat of the 2013 event. Send Your Questions to Secretary Martin NOW ! Wed 26 Training Committee Meeting BAWA 7:30 Mon 31 Last date for FAD Course applications APRIL Wed 09 Observers’ Meeting 7:30pm BAWA Tue 21 AGM BAWA Pavilion 7:30pm for 7:45 start Speaker after the AGM: - Chief Inspector Yannis Georgiou of the Roads Policing Unit, Avon and Somerset Police. MAY Wed 07 FAD Course starts. 7:30, BAWA. Also May 14, 21, 28

[The BAWA Club is at 589 Southmead Road, Filton, BS34 7RG, between Southmead Hospital & British Aerospace. Look for the playing fields. ]



Thurs 12th June date for Visit to MG Motors

Ten people have so far expressed interest in this proposed Group visit. Committee has now put-up a provisional date as a focus for further people to express interest. So far, all seem to prefer the option of using their own cars rather than using a minibus, but this is a group visit after all so we will all have to arrive on site as one party. We will still retain the minibus oas a possibility – a couple of Observers are keen to share the driving.

f you are int

ption

erested in attending - own car or minibus - put your name .

nto

r n

oup.

Iforward at a Monthly Meeting or contact Martin Evans or Clare Reeves

o recap: Visitors meet in the MG Sales Centre on the Longbridge, TBirmingham, site, which showcases MG products. There is an insight i‘today's MG’, a visit to Lord Austin’s original office, a look around the MG Museum, and a visit to the Technical Centre. Test drives of MG6 oMG3 are offered if booked in advance, subject to a valid driving licence othe day. Tours last 2 hours and there is a charge of £5 per visitor to cover the cost of ‘tea and biscuits’, all profits going charity.

wannabe Social Organiser is still desperately required by the GrAPlease get in touch with the Chairman, or indeed any Committee Member.

Interested in Advanced Motorbiking ?

Group, Y

ok Road,

G h,

te.

.uk

Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists is a separate IAM Motorbike providing Advanced Riding guidance for newcomers, at SUPER SUNDAevents, and acting as a club for existing Members in Bristol.

Newcomers, just turn up at 09:00 on the first SUNDAY of any month (but NOT January) at Kings Oak Academy, BroKingswood, BRISTOL BS15 4JT.

a free assessed ride, and maybe signet a taste wit -up for the Motorbike Skill for Life course. Grab a bacon buttie and a cup of teameet like-minded people, and maybe attend the various presentations. Use the link on our own website to access the Motorbike Group’s websiOr go to the Motorbike Group’s website direct: www.bamo.org.ukOr phone 01275 372637 or email [email protected]


http://www.bamo.org.uk/


Letters to the Editor

WHY NO CHRISTMAS SfL DISCOUNT ADVERTISED? – says John

people given Skill for Life as a gift are often

AM NOT “BETTER THAN THOU”

With my national IAM renewal bill, there came a 10% Xmas Gift discount offer for Skill for Life. Why didn’t you advertise it in the last LINK?

Editor Paul replies: John, this is no big deal. Firstly,not keen to do the course, so it is better if you buy yourself. Secondly, everyonebuying Skill for Life does so via IAM Chiswick, and if buying recently would have become aware of the offer during the process. Thirdly, the timing was late this year and the offer did not appear from the IAM before the LINK closed for press.

I says Pauline Crowther

M

ot have

t be some Members'

you are proud of your IAM achievements - I too have a

done

Dear Paul, I must comment on a sentence in the Books on Sale item in the last LINK. I have an IAM sticker which I am pleased to display on the driver’s side of my windscreen because I am proud of my achievement incompleting both the Skill for Life and FAD courses to pass standard.

In no way do I consider myself 'better than thou'. Indeed, only having last night re-watched (again) the Chris Gilbert Ultimate Driving Craft 2 DVD, and regularly making a driving commentary to myself (e.g. this morning's drive), I would suggest, in all humility, that one never stopslearning. I certainly would not like to think that any member of the IAwould publicly, or indeed privately, display such a sanctimonious attitude.

In the years that have passed since I took my tests no-one has commented on my badge display, but had they done so, I would nexhibited smugness but promoted the IAM as a sure and certain avenue of increasing one's richly positive driving experience.

May I suggest that although 'better than thou' mighthoughts and opinions, it is not a blanket IAM ethos?

Editor Paul replies: I am glad Pauline that Car sticker (and a Motorbike one) in my car - but I am afraid that we are in theminority. The Car badge sometimes draws sarcastic comments - "Oh, you are one of those experts then . . .", whereas by contrast fellow IAM bikers know the significance of the green badge and want to indulge in "the secret handshake".

It is the situation with most organisations/clubs that proclaiming your membership or achievements by way of badging or clothing is just not nowadays. It is seen by others as boasting, and by Members as opening themselves to criticism. So most members "hide their lamp under a bushel".

You will notice that the IAM has changed its approach in recent years. The textfor Skill for Life has changed from a direct Pass Your Advanced Driving Testto a more subtle, more inclusive and less boastful How to be a

Better Driver.

And even the name change from Institute of Advanced Motorists to the initialised IAM replaces the specific wording into with an anonymous name.



ONE GDE, FIVE P’s and SIX S’s ? ? ? enquires And

rew

up e IAM Advanced Driving Test:

nd the vehicle.

itions.

ets th to

zard Management – the thought process levers and pedals – vehicle characteristics

or each a a

to be aware of and to avoid in order to reduce risk; provement.

fulpda

s

ent.

In the piece on the IAM Masters Test (last issue) you explain the 5 P’s, which are new to me, but what are the 6 S’s and what does GDE mean?

Editor Paul replies: The six S’s are the well-known basic principles of Advanced Driving that sum-the requirements of th 1 Safety – the primary concern – incorporating another S, being the 2 Space Safety Bubble to be maintained arou 3 Systematic – applying the System of Car Control at all times. 4 Smooth – a comfortable ride; timely actions; gradual trans 5 Speed – high and low – used correctly and appropriately. 6 Sparkle – a performance exhibiting knowledge, skill, confidence.

The European framework of Goals for Driver Education (the GDE matrix)s out e competencies upon which driver training should focus in order produce the safest possible drivers. There are 4 areas of competency: ● Human State of Mind ● Purpose of the Journey ● Traffic Situation – Ha ● Control of the Vehicle – F rea there are: a) knowledge base and a skill set to be mastered; b) a number of things c) factors to consider for self-assessment and self-imA l chart appears in Roadcraft, page 259 (or page 167 if you have not yet u ted from your 2007 edition – copies available from the Group Shop).

From the above, you will see there is more to driving than merely pulling leverand kicking pedals – driving is a considered, thinking process. Apologies forusing the initialisms in the last LINK, but this stuff is common knowledge amongst Observers – and especially so in my case because I trained as an Occupational Driver Assessor, in which field the GDE factors are more promin

If this is all new to you, perhaps you should read Roadcraft and Stephen Haley’s Mind Driving – or even consider the Bristol Group’s Refresher Course. WHY THE HEAVY EMPHASIS ON YOUNG DRIVERS? enquires Kathryn

killed and tics and so it is right that the IAM as a road safety

rs in ng-term –

r d for new blood and ‘succession’ both on

In every issue of the LINK the Group promotes a ‘free-loader offer’ for Young Drivers but everyone else apparently has to pay full price. Is thereno place nowadays for middle-aged or older IAM Associates?

Editor Paul replies: Younger drivers aged under 25 are at the highest risk according to ‘seriously injured’ statisorganisation targets that sector – with the help locally of generous funding support from South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council.

Although the refund scheme is very successful in boosting Associate numbeBristol Group, Young Drivers do not tend to stay with the Group as loor even short-term – Full Members.

Our Group needs successful Associates to become new Group Members – in ordeto provide stable size and finances, anthe Committee and in the Observer ranks. Note that at the moment we are short of Committee Members, Helpers and Observers, even though we are one of the biggest IAM Groups.



In reality, it is those coming up to retirement, or those recently retired, who are the most likely to remain long-term Members. People in their late 20s to late 40s

or a

For

seem today more than ever tied up with family and work commitments.

But the problem nowadays is how to reach people. Any specific local publicity nowadays only reaches a small audience, due to ‘media fragmentation’. Fexample, the Bristol Post newspaper, once a stalwart for publicity, now has onlysmall circulation, and likewise BBC local radio has only a small listenership.

One of the best publicity methods is word of mouth recommendation. So spread the word. Or, if you have any ideas for publicity outlets, please let us know. example, we are looking to expand our contacts with community radio stations. YOU MAY FIND THIS INTERESTING says Andrew Nicholls

ere is a stretch of embankment

the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the M3.

e at is

singstoke

lar (blue) Almondsbury Interchange – Ed.]

Dear Highways Agency Information Line, On the M3 into London from the A303, tharound junction 4 where you have erected green fencing about a metre high and about 5 metres from the hard shoulder. What is it for? It looks very temporary. Is it an animal you are trying to stop getting on to the motorway? But the fencing does not go for any great distance. If you could find time to reply to this e-mail, it would satisfy my curiosity.

Dear Mr Nicholls, Your query has been forwarded to us, as on behalf of the Highways Agency we are responsible for

I have spoken to the team undertaking the works and they have advised that thplastic fencing on the M3 is REPTILE FENCING. It is a type of fencing thplaced on the site before works are due to start so they can trap any reptiles (such as newts), collect them up and place them in a different location whilst works are in progress. On completion of the work the fences are removed. I hope this answers your query.

Yours sincerely, Michelle Coleman – Customer Service Co-Ordinator EM Highway Services Limited, Ba

[Note: Our Highways Agency speakers in November indicated that simi fencing has been in place near the M4/M5

DEALING WITH AWKWARD SITUATIONS writes Graham Harlin

nt on the roundabout

I much enjoy reading the Bristol Group newsletter in printed form, where I get to read articles whilst relaxing that I would not read if it were only on a website – keep it up. Of the many interesting articles I particularly like those that deal with awkward driving situations.

In the October 2013 edition there was one by Paul Huat St. John’s Church, Keynsham. He reminded us of when a vehicle approaches from the High Street on the left there is difficulty in seeing it doing a 180 degree turn because of the blind spot on the right. If we now look at it from the view of the person doing the 180 degree turn, thenan informed driver will be conscious that their manoeuvre is not expected by those waiting at the roundabout. A slower and more ‘deliberate’ turn



helps to bring this to the attention of other drivers well before he/she vanishes into a blind spot. It also gives extra time to avoid an incident. Does the IAM recommend this ‘body language’?

Editor Paul replies: YES. The action you describe is definitely advanced and defensive driving.

t By Concentrating, you have Observed the potential problem, Anticipated thaother drivers may not notice you, and are Planning suitable action to avoid an incident. Have you considered training as an Observer with the Bristol Group?

Have readers any more examples of Awkward Driving Situations?

More Letters to the Editor

from Debra

in my

advises,

ghly clean

YELLOW NIGHT-DRIVING GLASSES I am worried because I no longer feel confident driving at night, particularly on rural roads and on the motorway. Headlights shineeyes, it seems more so than they used to, and I find it difficult to see. Ihave just seen an article in a women’s magazine (dated May 2013) which recommends wearing yellow ‘night sunglasses’. That reminds me that my Father had some AA yellow driving glasses back in the 1960s. Some similar items are indeed still offered in those home-shopping leafletsinserted in magazines, and also on the Internet. Can you advise?

he Editor replies: I have checked with my own optometrist/optician, whoTNo! Don’t use them! The reasons why come later in his advice, below. Firstly, for optimum night driving vision, pay attention to the basics. Thorouyour windscreen on both the outside and – much more difficult – the inside. Air conditioning covers the interior surface with a greasy film, which must be removed, otherwise outside lights will appear misty and diffused. Also, for wet weather, make sure your wipers remove water efficiently and leave a clear screen with no streaking.If your windscreen has become scratched by dirty wiper blades, oncoming headlights will give a one-straight-line scatter effect. Bear in mind that modern high-power headlamp bulbs give a light output which is brighter, and dazzles more. When driving in the dark, you can’t actually see very far, and kerbs and w

hite lines d

–

m following headlights, dim the

are less distinct, especially in the wet. Make sure your headlights are properly aimeand that the lenses are clean. Modern lights are brighter, but the whiter and more contrasty light does not necessarily give better vision. On top of this, speed is more difficult to judge, distances are harder to assess and you will feel more tired and stressed. Keep your gaze away from oncoming lights, and look up the kerb-line to the left. Make sure you can stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear to assist in this, use the headlights of oncoming vehicles to light your path, and use vehicles travelling ahead of you as ‘pathfinders’ to verify the road is clear. Look for and focus upon distant objects, because in dim light or plainness, your focus and vision scan tends to come back to a near distance. Turn off interior lights, dip your rear-view mirror to diinstrument lighting if possible, and do not have in your view any light from a communication screen, SatNav, i-phone, or even a bright radio display, or it will reduce your vision – the eye tends to adjust to the brightest light level in view.



If you normally wear spectacles, use a pair of up-to-date prescription, with clean,clear lenses with an anti-reflection coating, which will allow more light (up to

99%)

-

. conditions.

r

lurred.

eye, glare

s

st d for night driving. Those classified as UV filter category 0 (80% to 100%

d ones

ur transmission alance. Ii is best to consult, and purchase from, a reputable optician.

to pass through, and will reduce glare considerably. This helps to reduce eye fatigue, particularly whilst driving at night. For driving, totally avoid tinted, polarised, and photo-chromic lenses at night, and also in poor lighting or poor weather conditions. Bear in mind that eyesight changes with age. The light transmission in a 40-yearold’s eye is much less than a 20-year-old’s, and that of a 60-year-old is much less again than the 40-year-old. In older people the pupils do not dilate as well under low light conditions, so their eyes cannot take in more light to compensate for the lowerlight level. Some older people may also have increased anxiety, which will make them feel that their vision is worse than it is. And some older people will have dry eye, which will increase glare – so use your prescription eye-drops. If you still think you have problems, see a reputable optometrist for an examinationDazzle and glare from headlights can be exacerbated by certain eye Halos or colours in approaching lights are almost certainly caused by an eye issue. In extreme cases it may be that you have to reduce your night-driving – especially in wet weather - when lights dazzle on a wet windscreen and the wet road surface becomes darker and less visible - and out-of-town where there are no street lights. Back to those yellow glasses – both the cheap £10 ones and the £350 TAG Heue‘Night Rangers’. Admittedly, in daylight flat light, overcast or foggy conditions, or in snow, yellow lenses reduce glare, and enhance contrast and depth perception, which is well-known in science and black-and-white photography and was part of the reasoning behind the use of yellow headlights in France until 1990. Yellow lenses do this by filtering-out blue light, which both scatters, and focusesdifferently in the eye, resulting in the un-filtered view looking hazy or b BUT - removing the blue light reduces the total amount of light transmitted to the and consequently reduces your vision. The alteration in contrast, reduction inand the increase in proportion of yellow-green light gives the wearer the impression he is seeing better, whereas in fact the reverse is true. Whilst they may make the driver feel more comfortable, yellow lenses reduce the visibility of detail in the dark road surface and dark items in the surroundings, and delay recovery from any glare. Yellow lenses alter the colour balance of light, and importantly for a driver, your perception and recognition of traffic lights and their colours may reduce, increasing your reaction time. This is an important, and variable, problem for someone with any degree of colour-blindness. ‘Driving glasses’ for daylight use have to have standardof colour transmission to achieve approval – yellow glasses probably do not have approval. Legally in the UK and Europe, lenses with a light transmission of less than 75% munot be uselight transmission) can be legally used for night driving, but it is not recommended. Again, beware – most yellow-looking lenses transmit much less than 75%. Also realise that if a person does not normally wear spectacles, ANY type of night driving glasses – even the clear, non-prescription, plain, anti-reflection-coatethat are sold - will not improve night vision, as the optics of the light passing through the lenses will introduce interference to the wearer’s normal vision. Finally, note that, even for driving in daylight, not all sunglasses are suitable. Apart from the light transmission, one must also take into account the colob



The Traffic Wombles are in town tonight MONTHLY MEETING NOVEMBER - THE HIGHWAYS AGENCY

almost er and

y, this was one of our

. 012, on

y

me new techniques and equipment have helped in this,

ices after incidents now undertaken off the motorway and not at the scene.

Attendance at our November Meeting was double the usual – with 60 in the audience to hear Highways Agency Trainer Dave Hillioperational Traffic Officer Lee Evans.

above: Dave Hillier (left) and Lee Evans. photos: Geoff Bevan

As we frequently sabest meetings. The speakers were very well received, and afterwards Dave and Le

Dave first of all talked generally about the service. The Highways Agency strategy is to provide safer roads, reliable journeys and informed

e said they had enjoyed it too.

travellers. Highways Agency Officers are well-known now – they came-in some 9 years ago in this area to replace Police on certain traffic management activities, so the Police could concentrate on criminal activityThat they attended 37,500 incidents in the South-West during 2motorways and certain A roads, shows their worth. There is less patrolling now – to reduce costs, Officers will ‘park-up strategically’, readto respond to a call.

The aim nowadays is to clear and re-open the motorway as soon as possible after an incident. Sosuch as Satellite Plotting of accident scenes, Load-Cell tow ropes so that HA 4*4 vehicles can tow heavy vehicles on the flat safety, Screens erected around incidents to deter ‘rubberneckers’ and so prevent traffic slowing and further collisions, and ‘hot debriefing’ of emergency serv



Duty rotas have been altered so that staff change-over does not occur at peak times of busy weekend traffic. And whereas the Police used to be ‘secretive’, the Highways Agency has developed a communication with the

do ns

me is progressing 014.

lane.

ar

oadside dropped over 10%

s

s easier to den

tart co

press to give reasons for road closures – e.g. showing the press an electric pylon impacted during a crash and in danger of falling across the road.

HA Officers have the power to stop and direct for traffic management purposes and to stop vehicles if it appears they present danger to other oad users. They can also move-on those illegally stopped on the hard r

shoulder. They may call-in VOSA or the Police to take further action.

Regarding Driver and Operational Training, Officers have a basic 6 week foundation at Moreton Fire College. They are not blue-light trained andot have speed limit exemption – although they do have certain exemption

when attending incidents – e.g. able to reverse on the hard shoulder - although horns and flashing lights are now fitted.

Highways Agency Officers were not set-up as an Emergency Service, but with Police numbers dwindling, HATOs often end up ‘first-on-scene’ and he system may well ‘evolve’, to encompass more powers. t

Lee and Dave then moved on to the new Managed Motorway scheme around the M4/M5 Almondsbury Interchange. This type of scheme is being renamed SMART MOTORWAYS. The Bristol scheahead of schedule, and should come into full operation mid January 2

65% of traffic congestion is caused by traffic volume creating a pinch-point. The original M42 scheme was an amalgam of Dutch, German, USA

eas to manage such a point when the carriageway was at or beyond idmaximum capacity, without the cost of motorway widening. Reducing speed actually increases traffic throughput and eliminates erratic stop-start, especially if you temporarily use the hard shoulder as a running

The M42 scheme was a success and acted as a pilot for many other similschemes to be introduced.

● Journey time reduced by over a quarter ● Safety not compromised – in fact injuries reduced greatly ● Emissions at the r ● Vehicle fuel usage reduced by 4% ● Over 98% complied with the mandatory variable speed limit

running, so iThe Bristol scheme has no through-junction understand. However, some potential problem areas may exist, the sud

if ming from the M32, no countdown markers for exit at the M32 s



or for the hard shoulder ending, the need to select the correct laneapproach to the interchange, and the requirement to cross several lanes when driving certain paths though the cloverleaf at Almondsbury. Drivers familiar with the M42 should cope, and local commuters should pick thingup, but occasional and summer holiday drivers may be confused. And will they try to use the hard shoulder to by-pass queues further down the M5 at Weston? The need for clearer wording on Variable Messages is already apparent – what is “50 Animals on Motorway” supposed to mean?

The procedure for congestion and incident management was explained. Monitor loops in the road detect speed change and set an alarm, whereas igh definition, low light CCTV cameras cover the whole section 24/7.

on

s

s to s.

d to J35A Rotherham, aximum speed limit to be 60mph, from 7am to 7pm, every

o

.

y hat

hThere is a concern at no hard shoulder – but apparently only 10% of current hard shoulder stops are legal, for breakdowns – and the controllers can set the red X lane closure and red arrow deviation signkeep a lane clear and allow access for breakdown / emergency vehicle

Many questions came from the floor on all topics Motorway and discussion ensued. The lack of a Pucklechurch junction. The non-standard outside ourth lane rising from Clevedon. Access gaps in central barriers. Various f

types of central barriers. Etc, etc.

FOOTNOTE: A Highways Agency consultation has been launched regarding a variable peed limit on 32 miles of M1 from J28 Mansfiels

but with the mday, to remain in force for “several years”. This is in a government bid tcut air pollution to comply with EU limits and to avoid heavy EU fines. Environmental assessments carried out on the pilot M42 Smart Motorwaysscheme indicated that reduced speeds and elimination of stop-start driving reduces roadside emissions by 10%, so this was to be expected14 other locations are also being considered for similar treatment in 2015, including stretches of M1, M3, M5, M6, M20, M23, M27 and M62.

Protestors such as the RAC and AA warn the measure would "inevitably have a negative impact on business efficiency and individual mobility".

The Coalition Government has effectively dropped the proposal to raise the motorway limit to 80mph, even though a section of M20 was allegedl

s been reported that there were concerns tprepared for a trial. It haan increased limit would alienate certain voters, and would put safety at risk, unless motorway barriers were improved, cameras were universally installed, and prosecution guidelines, which would effectively allow 90mph, were altered to make 80 the absolute limit.



New Roads and Street Works Act – latest episode Are you fed up with facing a succession of roadworks in the same place whilst streets are dug up by a succession of different workme

In my days with British Gas in the 1980s, I worked on compliance with the

n?

r-terests

nes

’ r,

road ew code

and

u

Au),

ce

New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, which was supposed to “bettealign the need of utility work in the highway with the conflicting inof the highway user”. It eventually brought a system of registration, authorisation and licensing of works, notice requirements, restrictions on digging in newly surfaced roads, co-operation of statutory-undertakers, avoidance of undue disruption, standards of reinstatement, charges/fifor street occupation, provision of plans of underground equipment, etc. The activities at the time of maverick contractors for Telewest Cable gave a useful but annoying background reference.

Despite the Act and its complications, there appears to have been little change, although the subject keeps cropping-up in the news. The latest

carnation was in mid-Dec 2013 when a ‘Streetworks code of conductinwas agreed by Bristol City Council and 4 Utility companies - Bristol WateWessex Water, Wales & West Utilities (Gas) and Western Power Distribution (Electricity). They, and the Council’s own roadworks department, will work more closely, coordinate their jobs at similar locations, give two weeks notice of works, and plan works to reducerestriction and to reduce use of Temporary Traffic Lights. The nallegedly goes further than the law demands and is seen as a simplermore effective solution. We will just wait and see what happens.

NJUG represents tilities and contractors

on the Highway thorities and Utilities

Committee (HAUCworking collaboratively with roads / local authorities and UK governments to drive upstandards of road and street works, and to promote best practiand self-regulation.

above: At a photoshoot to mark the agreement, Mark Ostheimer of NJUG (left), [see descriptivetext panel; above right] with reps from the Utilities and (centre) , Elected Mayor Fergusonon this occasion, for those of you looking at this in black & white, t wearing a red helmeto co-ordinate with his red trousers. photo: The Bristol Post



ADVERTISEMENT

www.tollgatehire.co.uk

18 tonne Trucks also available for Commercial Users



Driving News

s University of the West of England is leading a

and secondly, ecause sleep and thought processes have been disrupted after drinking.

t until you feel ree of headache, thirst, nauseous feeling, tension, agitation, and you feel

STILL IMPAIRED THROUGH DRINK - although UNDER THE LIMIT

A professor at Bristol’research study into hangovers. A finding is that ‘driving impairment’ caused by alcoholic drink can remain long after the alcohol has gone from the breath and blood and a person is considered ‘sober’.

If a person has a hangover, he remains ‘impaired’, firstly because certain ‘breakdown products’ of the alcohol are still in the body, bBoth factors affect the metabolism and impair reactions.

So, even if you think the alcohol has gone, do not drive until the hangover has gone too, which can take several hours. You should waifcompletely refreshed, recovered, alert and calm. There is no ‘cure’ for a hangover, although extended physical activity in fresh air can help the metabolism return to normal more quickly. Work is progressing to produce a measurement system of effects, and an impairment test for possible future use, in conjunction with amended drink-drive laws. POLICE CAR STOLEN. HAVE YOU SEEN THESE CRIMINALS?

Operation Grotto. WANTED: Two distinctive car thieves spotted on St. Mary's, Scilly. The car was later found abandoned. It is believed that these two, particularly the passenger, may have been operating all across the UK recently. If it is the same individuals involved in all sightings and reported house break-ins on Dec 24th/25th, they would have needed a very much faster vehicle, probably a Vauxhall Combo diesel light van. Have you seen these characters? A clearer shot of the driver is on the right.

I- photos and some text: O-S PD Facebook



ROYAL MAIL DITCHES DELIVERIES BY BIKE With the bicycle being promoted as the future in some quarters, the

l

parcels, so they’re lleys,

.

e.

rian l

0MPH SLOW-DOWN GATHERS PACE (that doesn’t sound right. . .)

o

by Elected Mayor Ferguson, some 26 of Bristol’s speed

ed.

l resident volunteers, is also being expanded. So keep to the speed limits!

Royal Mail thinks the opposite, and the sight of a Postman on a bike wildisappear completely in 2014, as Royal Mail is giving bicycles the boot, even in remote areas like the Isles of Scilly.

Mail today consists of fewer letters but morereorganising the business and delivering with vans and 4-wheel troalthough some deliveries will continue as walking rounds with shoulder bags, replenished from those van-supplied roadside grey storage boxesThe change will mean less weight on the staff’s shoulders, and it will help them deliver mail more securely, more safely and more efficiently, even though pulling a trolley is slower than riding even a heavy Post Office bik

EDESTRIAN DIES IN BRISTOL AFTER BEING HIT BY BICYCLIST PBicycling campaigners who say bicyclists are not a problem to pedestrians and need not obey the rules of the road had better think again. In November, allegedly a bicyclist did not give way and struck a pedestusing a pedestrian crossing in St George. The pedestrian received criticainjuries. He was taken to hospital but died later. At we write this, Police are still investigating the incident.

2Keynsham has recently seen 20mph areas implemented, and the Bristol city-wide roll-out starts soon. The two pilot areas of Southville and Lawrence Hill have been in operation since 2010. On 20th January the‘Central area’ will become live – The Centre, Clifton. Bishopston, Cothamand Redland. The Police WILL be enforcing with camera vans. Roll-out tother areas will follow, so that the whole city will be 20mph in 15 months.

PEED CAMERAS SFollowing a decisionand traffic light cameras, switched off in 2011, are to be refurbished and reactivated for switch-on in about March. Argument continues about the effectiveness of speed cameras, supporters not understanding regression.Long term they may make people aware of speed limits, but they do not deter or catch the nutters purposefully driving recklessly. North Somerset is to use advisory speed signs, and other LAs are undecid

The Police are still deploying their speed camera vans, which have beenused at some new locations throughout the area recently and reportedly have caught many drivers going above the posted limits.

The Community Speedwatch scheme, using vigilante loca



’Illegal’ speed limit signs

503 drivers caught by a mobile speed

and

ns e rs

n and Road Narrows on one

ak Bridge states no weight limit. Apparently a routine

BSTRUCTION AND DAMAGING CAR was convicted in November of causing criminal

urt ng horses

en a

he

damage. A lesson for all drivers to expect the unexpected.

camera van positioned at the Breadstone rail bridge on the A38 are to have points removed, fine money paid back to themspeed awareness course appointments cancelled, after a member of the public pointed out to Gloucestershire Highways and Gloucestershire Police that the sigerected were only advisory because of thblack border. photo: Gazette Series newspape

The signs have been replaced with ones haviborder. But they are still unusual. Speed Limitign – and the We

g a yellow background and no

sNetwork Rail inspection revealed parts of the steel bridge to be faulty. Gloucestershire Highways says a weight restriction is not an option because of the importance of the route for heavy goods vehicles travellingthrough the county. Instead, a temporary narrowing to one lane and a temporary reduction in speed limit from 50mph to 30mph is judged adequate until the faulty steel parts of the bridge can be replaced.

Horse Rage ORSE RIDER FINED AND ORDERED TO PAY COMPENSATIONH

AFTER CAUSING OA woman horse riderdamage and ordered to pay a car driver £1,500 compensation. The Coat Macclesfield heard that the woman, and another, were ridiside-by-side on a road in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, in June. Whcar arrived, they did not make way. When the driver attempted to pass after a period of waiting, the woman moved her horse further out into troad to block the way – still looking forward. The driver ‘tooted’ his horn ‘to alert her’ – maybe not wise – HC rule 214 - but the rider turned her horse to confront him, forcing him to reverse. When he tried to pass again, she hurled her riding crop in a fit of swearing and anger, cracking the windscreen and damaging bonnet and roof, causing £1,870 damage.

Drivers should always be courteous and considerate towards horse riders– but this goes two ways and this rider for some reason did not act ourteously - causing obstruction, losing her cool and causing criminal c



Judged by Dashcam – but was it the right decision? Dashboard-mounted ‘Dashcams’” are relatively cheaply available. Firstused in the Eastern bloc, they are being used to capture the moments

Insurance crash stateme

nts, mainly to

The the

edged

of all blame’ for the incident and or his employer. An Insurance

effective device to

n?

ying

gest

leading up to a crash and to back-up ‘provide evidence that clears the driver of blame’. But things are notstraightforward, and such ‘evidence’ does not tell the full story.

A dashcam video of a crash was put-up on the Internet before Christmas by a dashcam-maker. It showed a car oming up a motorway slip road and c

getting tangled-up with a lorry on attempting to join lane 1, ending up wedged on the front of the lorry. lorry driver slowed and pulled-up on hard shoulder, the car remaining w

The lorry driver was apparently ‘clearedno insurance claim was made against him firm spokesman said, "These cameras are a cheap andelp innocent motorists. They add a visual element to help Insurers

in place. above: Still from the video

hdecide fault, as well as providing individuals with evidence following road rage incidents, dangerous driving, and ‘crash for cash’ scam scenarios."

But who was really to blame for the actual collision, and why did the Insurer decide the lorry driver was ‘not to blame’? Admittedly, the car driver was technically at fault because he failed to give way, and got his peed and distances very wrong. But what of the lorry driver? Even s

though he ‘had priority’, why did he not take any action to avoid a collisioWatching the video reveals there is nothing following in lane 2, and that the lorry driver did not change course or reduce speed. Why did he not even slow down? Did he not see the car in his mirrors? Was he not paattention, maybe foot-hard-down on the limiter or with cruise control engaged? Did he even purposely carry on knowing a collision would occur?And where was the camera mounted? Such items should not obscure vision, or be in the area of windscreen swept by the wipers.

Fault in this incident is not clear-cut. The lorry driver was not driving defensively. One would expect more of a vocational driver. Maybe he needs re-training. And what of the Insurers’ verdict? This would sughat non-defensive, non-sympathetic driving is perfectly OK. It gives a t

message that, as advanced drivers, we must not only look out for the numpties out there, but for the unsympathetic and vindictive as well.



Bicyclists – the Future, or the Problem? Some people think bicycling is the future – the Liberals even plan to instDutch-style cycle roads along the cut in Bristol. Others think the pola

over

all r

clists,

n

aids

istance. A similar TRL

rea

e,

ces ?

d by some big transport

opposite and that it should be discouraged. One Member said, “If 30% of injuries in Gloucester Road involve bicyclists, then ban bicyand make bicycling in Bristol an offence.” Two other Members have said, maybe tongue in cheek, maybe not, that Police marksmen should get out othe streets and shoot them whilst their shooting range is being rebuilt.

ARE MOTORISTS INCONSIDERATE TO BICYCLISTS? A 2013 research study by Bath & Brunel Universities concludes that drivers overtake bicycles too close and that hi-visibility clothing makes no ifference. But, the study is poorly constructed in its objects, research d

and conclusions, is biased and ignores the obvious.

Clothing may make no difference to passing distance, but it certainly visibility, which was not considered. The study found (by using sensors on a bicyclist commuting in Berkshire) that only 1-2% of vehicles passed at 500mm – which means 98-99% passed at greater dstudy of 1979 in the same area found that twice as many passed too close (2-3% passed within 610mm), but the average clearance then was 1790mm compared with today’s 1180mm. The study says this is “worse treatmentof bicyclists”, but it ignores the factors that cars are wider, roads are narrower, with widened pavements, and there are more parked cars.

MOST BICYCLE COLLISIONS OCCUR WHEN THEY UNDERTAKE The major collision cause however is when bicyclists undertake vehicles –and when vehicles turn left. Why do bicyclists take the risk? It is an aor research – why do people change character and mindset when they f

swing their leg across a bicycle? They adopt a mode of self-importancfail to abide by rules, throw caution and safety to the wind. Why can theydisregard pedestrians, and assume they have the right to ride past slow- moving traffic without consideration? Not to talk about wearing earpieand even thinking they are chasing Chris Hoy or Victoria on the velodrome

UNDERTAKING DETECTORS – CYCLE ALERT If bicyclists won’t take care of themselves, drivers have to look out for them. Which is more difficult for HGVs and buses. CYCLE ALERT is a icycle sensor designed for HGVs, which detects undertaking bicyclists. b

Although introduced on York’s buses and endorsefirms, it has two major flaws. Firstly, it only detects bicycles that are fitted with a matching transmitter, and secondly it shows an alert on a screen, which is an extra distraction for the HGV driver to look at.



A MUCH BETTER UNDERTAKING DETECTOR – CYCLE EYE CYCLE EYE has been developed by Fusion Processing in conjunction with Bristol University Innovation Centre (in the innovation partnership withBath, Exeter Sussex, and Surrey Universities) and uses a rear-facin

g

s or HGV.

him.

military-style radar camera high at the front left corner of a buA computer analyses the images of all objects in view and identifies bicyclists, even in the dark or in bad weather. It then gives an audio alert“CYCLIST LEFT” to automatically alert the driver without distracting

Cyclist Left!!!

BBC Click reporter Lara Lewington testing the Cycle Eye device (out of shot) on this

lick

First Bristol double decker.

photo: BBC C

voperation and had a successful bicycle detection rate ofFusion hopes the device will be available commercially lat

rd

he cle.

t ns as

nd won't turn. This helps in

d

(“bbc click cycle eye”into Search Engine of

video) your choice for

er 3 days of

The system has been tested by Transport for London o over 98.5%. er in 2014.

BICYCLISTS STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND – BLAZE AWAY!!! Bicyclists still have the attitude and habit of undertaking without regaand a new product somehow reinforces this as

gitimate. The BLAZE LASER LIGHT is a £125 lesuper-bright LED bicycle light incorporating a laser which projects a green bicycle symbol onto tground 5 metres in front of the advancing bicy[The Blaze publicity photo here is inaccurate –Ed.] Apparently green light gives the longest battery life, and the Chinese laser device is “safe”.

Bristol inventor Emily Brooke said, “Most serious incidents commonly occur when the bicyclist is ravelling straight ahead and another vehicle tur

into it. Vehicles travelling in the same directionyou will see this light athe classic blind-spot scenario.”

Perhaps bicyclists should show common sense annot undertake vehicles if they may turn left. photo: Blaze



R OU E

YOU Bristol Advanced Motorists members have raised £658 with can raise funds

for us too!

AISE ‘REWARD’ FUNDS WHEN Y SHOP ONLIN I draising ievery purchase raises a percentage cashback re no extra cost to the purchaser. There are over 2,7 rt

November Meeting,

f you shop online, doing so via EasyFun s a no-brainer - because ward for the Group at00 retailers taking pa

in the scheme, and over half a million users. At theSecretary Martin Evans demonstrated on a laptop how easy it is to register with EasyFundraising. So sign-up now!

MARTIN’S IDIOT’S GUIDE 1. From your Internet browser, go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk 2. Find, and click on, the green box, “Support a good cause”. 3. When you are asked to “Find a good cause”, enter BOTH BRISTOL ADVANCED MOTORISTS and postcode BS15 3SW, then click “Search”. 4. We will be displayed, with our logo. Click “Support this cause”. 5. Enter your personal details: name, email, password. Read the terms and conditions and click on “Continue”. 6. Find and Remind Toolbar. Instal this and then when you visit the website of a retailer who offers EasyFundraising donations, a yellow notification bar will appear. When you click “activate donation” and make a purchase, the retailer will make the donation to us. Statistics show that having the Toolbar installed enables shoppers on average to raise over 5 times more in donations than without it.

GET A REWARD FOR EVERY INTERNET SEARCH You can raise a donation for the Group EVERY TIME you search the web with http://iambristol.easysearch.org.uk You will raise half a penny with every search. It may not sound a lot, but it all adds up - our members have raised over £150 with EasySearch.

STILL UNSURE WHAT TO DO? Just contact the Group’s Geoff Bevan or Martin Evans and they will advise you. ( see the Contact Us page.) Join the 32 Group M

alreadembers

y registered !


http://www.iambristol.easysearch.org.uk/


CONTACT US: Your guide to who does what ILL FOR LIFE OR A REFRESHER

8061 email [email protected] NUMB

e, BCole

TO ENQUIRE ABOUT SKphone direct 0117 979

ADVERTISED PUBLIC EN

ER: 07071 20 11 73

Executive Committe ristol Advanced Motorists 07714 992 639 Chairman Andy [email protected]

Vice Chairman Marlene Baker 01454 619289 [email protected]

Secretary Martin Evans 0117 979 8061 [email protected]

Treasurer Paul Hunt 0117 960 8494 [email protected] 860365 Publicity Officer Geoff Bevan [email protected]

Associates Administrator Clare Reeves [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Paul Hunt 0117 960 8494 [email protected]

Database Administrator land James Row 07817 152 405 [email protected]

Training Administrator es Margaret Jam 01454 776416 [email protected]

Membership Development m-bristol.org.uk

07973 730 498 Tony Gilbert development@iaPublicity Events Organiser

65 946 g.uk Gary Nunn 01454 851 984 07557 7

-bristol.ormarketing@iamYoung Driver Rep. Barnaby Ellis [email protected]

Other Post Holders inute Taker Clare Reeves 0117 969 1746 Committee M [email protected]

Monthly Meeting Contact

Clare Reeves

Inform Clare Reeves of any potential speakers at [email protected]

Chief Observer and Web Administrator Geoff Bevan [email protected]

-bristol.org.uk

01453 860365

webadmin@iamGroup Display Boards & LINK Collation Organiser kAndrew Nicholls 01749 860321

[email protected] Events Organiser momentvacant contact Secretary for the

If you would like to volunteer, please con p Secretary.

OTICE

tact the Grou

PHOTOGRAPHY N : Please note thas of Bristol Advanced Mo ge t l Adva s. r newsletter, on our web ion. y mission, please

[email protected] or phone 0117 979 8061

t by attending the Meetings atorists, you agree to your ima

nd Driver Guidance Sessionbeing captured and used o promote Bristo nced Motorists and its activitie

site or for general promotThis may include in ouIf you wish to withhold our per contact the Group Secretary.










THIS IS A TEMPORARY COVER

T

u

The A5 paper version of the LINK has had for several years a professionally-printed glossy thin card cover, in monochrome, with a

ng the tradition first started in about 1971 of stol’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.

upplies have run out, so for the January issue some Members received copied

is e past Doug held Group positions

ast, Emersons Green, BRISTOL BS16 7FF m-ltd.co.uk www.prism-ltd.co.uk

he Cover of the hard copy version

sed for a small number of copies of the January 2014 LINK because stock of the old cover is exhausted

THE MARCH ISSUE WILL HAVE A NEW COLOUR COVER

www.iam-bristol.org.uk

07071 201173

red IAM roundel, continuihaving a cover image of Bri

Sthe standard cover, whilst others received a monochrome photocover, on quality heavy paper, as above.

The back of that cover incorporates a brief descriptive text about the Group, with an encouragement for non-members to join.

The printed cover has been printed and donated over several years by Bristol Printing and Office Supplies firm PRISM. Director Doug Lodgea Member of the Bristol Group, and in thof Treasurer and Chief Observer.

103 Farendell Road, Emerald Park E0845 126 6600 sales@pris

NOT A MEMBER YET? Founded in 1958 to improve driving standards, Bristol Advanced Motorists is today best known for its advanced driving programme, Skill for Life,

esigned to improve your driving skills, ing

sts),

olunteer .

which is dincrease your confidence and make your drivsafer and more enjoyable. Affiliated to the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorithe largest organisation in the UK dedicated to improving driving standards and road safety, Bristol Advanced Motorists is a totally vorganisation, covering the Greater Bristol area Why don't YOU take the Skill for Life course with Bristol Advanced Motorists? Or why not come to one of the Monthly Members' Meetings (which are free and open to all) to find out more?



THE GROUP NEEDS MORE ASSOCIATES ublicity is the

and our Group? Every new Associate will help towards securing the sh

itself.

emember we have our YOUNG DRIVER REFUND SCHEME available – e

Information about Skill for Life can be obtained from:

P Key

above: Chief Observer Geoff (right) pictured talking to that valuable commodity we MUST acquire for the Group – a Member of the Public (left) who is interested in signing-up for the Skill for Life course and IAM Advanced Driving Test.

photo: Barnaby Ellis

Reaching Members of the Public with Publicity efforts has become extremely difficult, due to the ‘Market Fragmentation’ of media channels.

As an existing Member or Associate, you can be a good Sales Persuader for the Group. Do you know someone in your family, circle of friends, or amongst your work colleagues, who could benefit from joining the IAM

ort, medium and long-term future of both your local Group and the IAM

Rthose aged under-25 who pass the IAM Test can have their £139 SfL ferefunded. (Note: Conditions apply: Residency/Work/Education in the South Gloucestershire Local Authority area, or Residency ONLY in the Bristol City Council area; completion in 12 months.)

07071 201173 or 0117 979 8061 [email protected]
