advance autumn 10

The official magazine of Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclists

D N E

JOHN F. BLACKTel: 01387 267473

Servicing, Repairs, Welding,Recovery, MOT for cars,

motor-homes & commercials 6B Catherinefield Ind Est Heathhall Dumfries DG1 3PQ

© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists

Chair,Chief m/c Obs

Graeme McColm 01387 720425

Vice Chair Jamie Wood 01683 300347Secretary Helen Cameron 07707 035518Treasurer Russell Wears 01387 263893Minute Sec Anne Lind 07877 291715M/c Coordntr Phil Sayers 01848 331994News Dist. Christine Donaldson 01576 202805Events Stewart Cameron 01387 264005Committee Andy Campbell

Neil MartyniukMaureen HewittAndrew BirdSheena TraillElaine Paterson

07717 79810907725 94118007734 66252601387 25950001461 20468807870 820876

Group Committee Members for 2009/10Group President: Tommy Jardine

To e-mail any member of the committee, please inthe first instance, use the group contact e-mail

address: [email protected]

1

What’s on? - check for details & late changes at www.iamdumfries.org.uk

13 September - DRIVING & THE LAW with Bob Morison, Procurator Fiscal11 October - Visit to AMBULANCE STATION .... (to be confirmed - see web site)8 November - MICHELIN MAN with Duncan LivingstoneMeetings to be held at Dalston House Hotel, Dumfries starting at 7:30pm unless otherwise stated.

This magazine was publishedby the Dumfries & Galloway

Group ofAdvanced Motorists &

Motorcyclists.For more details of our activities

see our web site at:

www.iamdumfries.org.ukContact the

Group Secretary:[email protected]

Magazine comments andcontributions to:

[email protected]

Disclaimer:The views expressed in thismagazine are those of the con-tributors and not necessarilythose of the Editor, Group or theInstitute of Advanced Motorists,to which the Group is affiliated.Reg Charity No. SC 023511

Monthly eventsDon’t forget that group meetings are open to all Associates, full Members andthose interested in finding out more about advanced skills. Check the groupweb site for the latest details of the monthly and other events.About usThis magazine, distributed free to Members, is published three times a year.

Our Group’s aim is to help drivers and riders improve their skills on the roadand so help reduce collisions, injuries and deaths on the roads. We promoteIAM ‘Skill for Life’ courses throughout the year. The purpose of this publicationis to inform readers about the activities of the Group and to stimulate thoughtabout safe driving and riding issues.

© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists2

The Chairman’s comments - Graeme McColm

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Advance Magazine.

Well despite the weather it’s been a busy summer withplenty of activities. We have had our gazebo out andabout at a variety of locations trying to attract both driversand bikers. Hopefully you may have seen us at one of the local Tesco stores,at Gretna Gateway, at the re-opening of Scotspeed or one of the annualshows in the region. By the end of the summer we will have promoted theGroup in Dumfries, Gretna, Castle Douglas, Moffat and Sanquhar - my thanksgo to all those who have taken the time and trouble to help out at these events- it is greatly appreciated.

This year we have also been trying to promote the IAM and raise our profile inthe region through local newspapers and advertising on WestSound.

We have been proud to be associated with Bikesafe presentations run byDumfries and Galloway Police although it looks like these events will finish in

our region after the next one due inSeptember this year. These eventshave always been a good way of meet-ing potential Associates so your Com-mittee will be considering if and how wecan plug the gap which will be left whenthese events cease to run.

The Group continue, to be involved withthe Procurator Fiscal’s office and the

Dumfries & Galloway Road Safety Partnership by carrying out Drive and Ridechecks. My thanks go to our Observers, who carry out these checks on thoseyoung drivers/riders who have come to the attention of the police, usuallythrough some sort of inappropriate driving or riding.

The new syllabus for the coming group year has not been fully finalised yet.Inevitably, at this stage, some of the proposed events are provisional soplease remember to check the group web site for up to date details of events.

Scotspeed offer IAM Members 10% discount at theirDumfries shop. This offer does not apply to sale items,special offers, workshop servicing or bike sales. See the advert - P21.

Promoting the cause at Gretna

S C O T S P E E D

MOTOR CYCLES LIMITED


More riders taking pleasure in our roadsAn IAM poll has found that motorcycle use is on the rise, with more than 60 percent of riders stating that their overall bike usage has gone up since last year.

The online poll found that 78% of the 5,717 respondents owned both amotorbike and a car. The majority (88 per cent) use their bike for leisure atsome point, with one third using the bike just for recreational riding.

Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research, said: “Most of this increaseappears to be in riding for pleasure, so is unlikely to be a short-term, recession-linked trend: only a tiny proportion of bikers are using their machine exclusivelyfor business or commuting.”

The poll also found that over 90 per cent of respondents felt that motorcyclistsshould be allowed in bus lanes in every town and city across the country.

Mr Greig added: “Feelings are running high onaccess to bus lanes for bikers after a successfulexperiment in London recently, so it comes asno surprise that there has been such positivefeedback from the riders. A nationwide approachto consistent signposting and regulation wouldmean improved safety as bikers and the widerpublic would be more aware of the rules.”

The current state of our roads was also a keyissue with respondents, with almost half believ-ing that any available public money should bespent on better roads and infrastructure. Only1.2 % cited safety cameras as the best use of public money.

Group accounts 2009/2010The summary overleaf reflects another successful year in terms of fundraisingwhich has kept the Group's accounts in a healthy state. Examining the accountsin detail, it is clear that, without these fundraising activities, the Group's corebusiness (coaching Associates) is costing more that the Group brings in.

As always your Committee asks all Members and Associates to support theIAM by encouraging others to consider joining the Skill for Life programme andbecome an advanced driver or rider. The recent advertising campaign in thelocal press and on local radio has raised awareness of the Group, and newAssociates are joining up. We can build on this and achieve the aim of 30 newAssociates in the next 18 months. Achieving this will go a long way to settingthe Group’s business on a firm footing.

Enter SC No. below

SC023511

Section A Statement of receipts and paymentsUnrestricted

funds Restricted fundsExpendableendowment

funds

Permanentendowment

funds

Total fundscurrent period

Total funds lastperiod

to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £

A1 Receipts

Donations 1,134 7,052 8,186 3,171

Legacies - -

Grants - -

Receipts from fundraising activities 741 741 1,060

Gross trading receipts 1,310 1,310 1,639Income from investments other than land andbuildings 5 5 48

Rents from land & buildings - -Gross receipts from other charitableactivities 1,564 1,564 2,760

- -A1 Sub total 4,754 7,052 - - 11,806 8,678

A2 Receipts from asset & investmentsales

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets - -

Proceeds from sale of investments - -A2 Sub total - - - - - -

Total receipts 4,754 7,052 - - 11,806 8,678

A3 PaymentsExpenses for fundraising activities 56 56 727Gross trading payments 591 591 1,328Investment management costs - -Payments relating directly to charitableactivities 2,863 3,039 5,902 3,027Grants and donations 69 69 76Governance costs: 55 55 53

Audit / independent examination - -Preparation of annual accounts - -

Legal costs - -Other - -

- -A3 Sub total 3,634 3,039 - - 6,673 5,211

error

A4 Payments relating to asset andinvestment movementsPurchases of fixed assets 68 68 34Purchase of investments - -

A4 Sub total 68 - - - 68 34

Total payments 3,702 3,039 - - 6,741 5,245

Net receipts / (payments) 1,052 4,013 - - 5,065 3,432

A5 Transfers to / (from) funds - -

Surplus / (deficit) for year1,052 4,013 - - 5,065 3,432

Period end date

to

Receipts and payments accounts

Enter charity name below

Dumfries and Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists andMotorcyclists

For the periodfrom

Period start date

1 April 2009

Day Month Year Day Month Year31 Mar 2010

5,065 3,432

5,065 3,432


Motorcycle Chief Observer’s Diary - Graeme McColm

How the time flies, it seems no time since I last wrote this. Weather-wise it’snot been a good summer, but despite this we continue to keep our numbersup with a number of passes over the last few months.

There have been plenty of events includingthe slow manoeuvrability training held inMay, as well as our monthly runs, whichhave been well attended and have includedCarter Bar, Girvan and St Mary’s Loch.

Our annual weekend away is due soon butat the time of writing no confirmed detailsare available. Phil Sayers as usual is orga-nising this, and by the time you read thishopefully things will have been finalised.

Scotspeed held their open day at the end of July and we were asked to goalong and help out with activities for the day. Helen brought along the gazeboand Elaine and Andrew helped set it up. Phil, Graham Abrines, Bob Morrison,Jamie Woods, Jim Hunter and myself were busy all day taking out people onaccompanied demonstration rides; with Observers riding at the front and backaccompanying up to six demonstration bikes, supplied by Scotspeed. Speci-fied routes were followed allowing the interested riders to get a feel of thecapabilities of the demonstration bikes. Hopefully the event will lead to positiveoutcomes for both Scotspeed and our Group.

The stand was incredibly busy, and at one point the staffwere inundated with so many bikers that Elaine steppedin to help. What a fabulous day we all had and thanks toeverybody who helped. May I take this opportunity towish Ian, Cheryl and staff all the best with the business.Well all that remains to say is enjoy what’s left of oursummer, although I think the autumn will prove to bebetter weather, get out and about on your bike andplease keep safe.

Group Members and Associates can get a free basic car wash, or two jet washtokens when you fill up. Just show your membership card, or for Associates your IAMconfirmation letter. Let the staff know you would like the free bike/car wash beforeyou pay for your fuel. This offer may be withdrawn at any time.

Elaine with her certificate at Scotspeed

Slow

man

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at D

albe

attie


Electronic Stability Control (ESC)Purchase of a vehicle fitted with ESC is now generally recommended, and asEU member states and manufacturers work towards technical standards, theday when such a system is mandatory for all new vehicles registered in the EUis only a matter of time.

The Department for Transport has carried out research which indicates thatESC equipped vehicles are involved in 25% fewer fatal road accidents on UKroads. ESC appears to also offer benefits in adverse road conditions, such aswet or snowy conditions, where results show ESC equipped vehicles are 11%less likely to be involved in a serious accident and overall 7% fewer crashesinvolving an injury.

ESC does not prevent accidents, but does help in manyaccidents which involve the driver losing control of thevehicle. This can be due to misjudgment (e.g. ap-proaching a corner too quickly), or because the driverhas to make a sudden manouevre to avoid a hazard,or because the driver hits a slippery road surface (e.g.ice). When this sort of event happens, a vehicle canexceed the limit of traction (grip) of the tyres causingthe car to slide. The car either cannot turn quicklyenough (under-steer) or it turns too quickly (over-steer).

Once control has been lost, it is very hard for the driverto steer the vehicle safely. An accident is often theresult. If the loss of control can be avoided, or it can becorrected, an accident could be avoided.

ESC senses when a vehicle is deviating from the intended direction. It thenmakes adjustments to the vehicles brakes etc to get the car back to its plannedcourse. The driver does not have to activate the ESC. The driver might noteven be aware that the ESC system has intervened. ESC is often integratedwith other safety systems such as Traction Control.

ESC relies on sensors to identify events resulting in loss of traction. Thesesensors collect information to determine how the car is behaving, and what thedriver is trying to do. Yaw and gyroscopic sensors, wheel-speed detectors,accelerometers and information on steering inputs, pedal positions, enginespeed and gear selection are commonly used to work out whether or not thevehicle is stable as it manouevres, for example when negotiating a bend.

When the ESC system determines that loss of traction is occurring, it acts byselectively braking individual wheels and also uses engine management

6


Accelerate hard to save fuel?!Dr Steve Cousins of Axon Automotive claimed a couple of years ago to haveproof that putting your foot down hard on the accelerator can actually be morefuel efficient than driving more conservatively!

The key to saving fuel, he said, is to acceleratehard until the engine reaches 2000 rpm, move upa gear, then put your foot down until you reach2000 rpm again. It’s all to do with internal friction.Put simply, with your right foot down on the accel-erator, the engine is working at its most efficient,he said. Above 2000 rpm the benefits diminish andyou start using more fuel, not less.

In tests carried out in a Citroën C1, his drivingtechnique proved 8.5% more efficient than the“eco-safe driving” style promoted by the Department for Transport. Thegovernment’s official driving method encourages drivers to save fuel by lightuse of the accelerator pedal.

controls and maybe even steering inputs to get the vehicle back on line. TheESC system reacts in accordance with programmed criteria, depending on thenature of the loss of control detected by the sensors.

In situations such as under-steer, ESC typically reduces engine torque leadingto weight transfer forwards and more grip at the front. If this action by itself didnot allow control to be regained, ESC applies individual rear brakes to helpbring the vehicle back in line. In the case of over-steer, by contrast, brakingwould be applied to one front wheel to help pivot the vehicle back in line. Inreality these can be very complex situations so the ESC will probably be doingseveral things at once, especially if a wheel that needs to be braked hasinsufficient grip. The brakes are applied by the ESC through control of the ABSpump and valves to generate brake pressure on the required wheels.

ESC is not likely to be effective at very low speeds and when starting off inpoor grip conditions such as snow or ice. In the latter case, traction control isuseful as it is used to reduce loss of drive caused by a spinning wheel. Thiscan occur when driving on slippery surfaces, or when accelerating hard in firstgear from rest. Traction Control reacts by applying the brakes to a spinningwheel so the drive is diverted to the wheel or wheels with the most grip.Traction Control operates at low speeds.

Of course using Advanced Driving techniques should largely negate the needfor ESC but it will be there to help should there be unforeseen or unavoidableconsequences. Sources: www.chooseesc.eu, www.thatcham.org, www.dft.gov.uk

Brain to right foot:floor and hold!

7


Two out of three people couldn’t save a lifeResearch shows that the majority of us don’t feel we could save a life in anemergency, with a quarter saying we’d helplessly do nothing while a life is onthe line. And those of us who would attempt first aid, our efforts are likely to bein vain as in many cases we would administer the wrong procedure.

Leading First Aid charity St John Ambulance has launched a hard-hittingcampaign depicting 5 common scenarios in which first aid could have been thedifference between a life lost and a life saved. It has been offering a freepocket-sized guide featuring first aid skills that can help in these life-threatening situation.

These free pocket guides have been available through their website and you probably still can get your hands on a copy at:www.sja.org.uk

In reality it may just prove that there is no one answer to suit all vehicles orsituations, and probably the best fuel economy can be gained by knowing yourown vehicle and keeping the engine revs in the ‘power band’ where it is likelyto be operating most efficiently. Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Notes from the car ExaminerA very useful meeting was held with our new car Examiner, Jim Loy, earlierin the year where he highlighted some of the particular elements he is lookingfor in a SfL candidate when undergoing a test:

� The drive should to be NATURAL, PROGRESSIVE with ‘SPARKLE’.� Candidates should ordinarily only brake once for a hazard.� He would like candidates to talk through the complete System at a

hazard, at least once on the test.� Block changes should be used where appropriate when going down

the gears.� Indicators should not be used if not necessary.� Commentary should be continuous and include far, middle, and near

distance observations as well as the mirrors.� Commentary should be prioritised, for example talk about warning

signs as you approach not once you have passed them.� He would like candidates to have, and demonstrate an understanding

of LIMIT POINTS.

These points, of course, are in addition to being able to demonstrate a goodworking knowledge of the skills and techniques which go together to make acompetent advanced driver.

ADVANCED DRIVING OR RIDING - why not join us?

Dumfries and Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclistscater for both drivers and motorcyclists. We advocate using the ‘PlannedSystem of Driving or Riding’. Just because you don’t use our System doesn’tnecessarily make you an unsafe driver or rider.

What our method gives you is a means of driving or riding in a consistently safe andsystematic way which leaves nothing to chance. Our method will not help you driveor ride through a hazard, say a bend, at the fastest possible physical speed butwhen perfected it should help you progress through it at the fastest speedconsistent with maintaining stability and maximising safety.

Advanced drivers and riders don’t travel at a snail’s pace waiting for hazardsto arrive, instead they are often able to make much better progress throughuse of polished observation skills, allowing them to take advantage ofovertaking opportunities and to anticipate the actions of others, so steeringaway from potential trouble.

It does not matter if you have recently passed your DSA test or have yearsof experience under your belt we can help you maximise your safety andenjoyment on the road whether you have two or four wheels.

We help people hone their road skills and become more confident anddecisive when out on the road. If you’re interested in improving your skills wecan help you, why not find out more? E-mail or call the Secretary (07707035518), or visit our web site (see page 1) - it’s a ‘Skill for Life’.

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY GROUP OF ADVANCED MOTORISTS & MOTORCYCLISTSRegistered Charity in Scotland No. SC 023511

B R A I D W O O D SS O L I C I T O R S, E S T A T E A G E N T S &

I N D E P E N D E N T F I N A N C I A L A D V I S E R S

Property and Estate Agency

Wills and Estates

Independent FinancialAdvice

Commercial Practice

Family Law

www.braidwoods.com1 Char lot te Street, Dumfr ies DG1 2AG

Telephone: (01387) 257272E-mai l : in [email protected]

St. Michael’s ServicesSt. Michael ’s Street

DumfriesDG1 2QD

Tel: 01387 254304

~ BP ultimate fuels

~ BP Autogas

~ Car wash

~ Jet wash

~ MACE convenience store

~ Nectar Points

~ Special offers for Dumfries Group Members

more performance, less pollution

Wigtown Road ServicesWigtown Road

Newton StewartDG8 6JZ

Tel: 01671 403157

~ BP ultimate fuels & BP Autogas

~ Jet wash

~ Snack bar/ coffee machine

~ Large Mace convenience shop

~ Air/Screenwash/Vacuum/fragrance machine

~ Nectar Points

~ Special offers for Dumfries Group Members


Some thoughts after the Advanced Test - Tony Goadby

It’s now 61 years since my original L-Test and 4 months since I passed myAdvanced Test. About time, you might say! Somehow, life seemed to get inthe way of doing the latter sooner. Getting involved with the whole IAM processhas given rise to some thoughts which I hope other members may find interesting.

The first thought, which occurred early in the ‘observed run’ phase was thatthe IAM System teaches you to drive like a professional. Not a phrase I’veheard used in this context, but once I compared it to my own profession, flying,the similarity between that, and the IAM’s methodical, disciplined and consist-ently ‘on the ball’ approach struck me quite forcibly. Having not long ago cometo the end of a 54- year flying career, it was refreshing to find myself back inan environment with similar standards.

One reason that similarity is important can be summed up in the sayingsometimes heard in the flying world: ‘Every regulation and all guidance is theresult of an accident’.

To continue with the aviation analogy, pilot training begins with theory: every-thing from Principles of Flight to meteorology to radio theory, then on to thebasic handling of the aeroplane up to going solo and finally to ‘wings’ standard.But besides all this clear-cut instruction is a rather less tangible subject calledAirmanship, which is at least as important as any other. Hard for a novice tograsp and put into practice initially, it comes into its own as flying hours andexperience build up. Countless things come under this heading, from some-thing as basic as keeping a good lookout for other aircraft, to keeping to a safealtitude when crossing high ground when you can’t see it, knowing thelimitations of your aircraft, to making proper allowances for icing, or badweather where you are planning to land. A very long time ago a colleaguegave me as his definition of airmanship: ‘applied common sense’. I think thatis as good a description now as it was then, and I think it applies equally wellon the road as a definition of ‘Roadcraft’.

This leads on to my second thought, that everything the Skills for Life coursedrives home, such as anticipating potential hazards, excellent observation, theability to stop in the distance you can see to be clear (or half that distance ona single-track road), the ‘what if?’ kind of thinking, any number of things underthis heading have the same ‘applied common sense’ running right throughthem. In a world where the opposite of common sense is applied to so muchwe see happening around us, I find this both refreshing and liberating, and itis a major reason why the IAM system of driving is so effective.

The Test itself was a memorable event; I greatly appreciate the hard work putin by Graham, my Observer, to prepare me (there was much to be improved),


and the dedicated efforts of other club officials. I’ve always enjoyed driving,but now find it much more satisfying, and am aware of being a safer, moreobservant, considerate, tolerant and efficient driver. I’ve also been surprisedto find that long journeys now seem much shorter – due to enhanced concen-tration, I suppose.

How to keep up to standard once the Test is over? Nothing helps concentra-tion like good night’s sleep, and making a habit of leaving all your problems,stresses and urgent thoughts outside the car for the period of your drive helpstoo. Should boredom start to set in on a long drive, doing a commentary for awhile can bring you back into line. Having an occasional read of the GoodBooks (Highway Code etc.) helps too.

These are useful in the short term, but in thelong term the answer must be periodic checksof driving ability. Once a pilot has all his quali-fications and is let loose in the real world, he orshe then begins a lifetime of periodic checking.Every airline pilot has three flying checks topass every year to ensure the required stand-ards are maintained, most of which are doneon simulators in which every kind of situation

or emergency can be programmed. Even a private pilot flying the simplest ofaircraft in fair weather only, has to have a flying check every two years. In anairline with a good training ethos, these checks can take the form of a coupleof hours of enjoyable refresher training, not dominated by the fear of failure or‘testitis’ on the part of the candidate.

Because of my experience of the effectiveness of these routine checks, andwith the knowledge of how far my own driving had slipped over all those yearssince my first driving test, I’m a firm believer that all drivers, and drivingstandards generally, would benefit hugely from a similar, though obviouslyless rigorous system of periodic driver checking. I look forward to taking IAMDriving Assessments at intervals in the future.Membership Renewal - Russell Wears, Treasurer

Just a short reminder that membership subscriptions are due on or before the16 November. It is again £10 which is a small sum in return for everything theGroup has to offer. Everyone needs to complete a ‘Membership (Renewal)Form’ (enclosed with this newsletter) so we can properly record how manymembers we have and how the Group is progressing.

If you completed a standing order form last year then your payment will occurautomatically on 16 November. If not, please consider doing so this year, itgreatly helps the accounting. A standing order form is available to download


The Secretary Reports - Helen Cameron

Our new annual programme of events is about to start, so I want to encourageall full Members and Associates to come along and support the Group. Wehave a varied syllabus, and I’m sure there is something for everyone; I lookforward to seeing both new and old faces.

I made mention in the last magazine of our plans to hold promotional eventsin different parts of the region, and I am pleased to tell you that the variouslocations visited (see Chairman’s piece) have been very successful in raisingthe profile of the Group. They have enabled us to show the public how ourGroup contribute towards road safety. We have also been to several annualshows where we have also signed up some new Associates.

I would like to thank all Members who have helped with these events and askyou to get in touch if you can spare an hour or to to help out with future events.

Congratulations to those who have recently passed the IAM test: Karen Martyniuk,Elaine Paterson, Russell Wears (Obs: M/c team), Craig Dyson (Obs: Peter Dodds),Kristopher Ruddick (Obs: Sheena Traill), Greg Gibson (Obs: Stewart Cameron)

I am trying to organise the annual 10 pin bowling challenge against CarlisleGroup and hope to be able to announce a date by our first meeting inSeptember; so if you are not able to come along on that evening and wish toparticipate, then please let me know - we need plenty of support.

from our web site. If you prefer other methods of payment then please do sobut avoid sending cash through the post. Further blank forms are available onour web site. I attend most Group events and will have copies of the forms withme as well a receipt book for those who prefer to pay by cash.

If you also signed the Gift Aid declaration on the membership form last yearyou don't need to do so again. If it is some years since you signed thedeclaration or you now wish to Gift Aid your membership then please sign thedeclaration so our records are up to date.

Keeping members informedThe Group sends out news via e-mail including reminders about monthlymeetings to keep you, the Members, up to date on what is happening.

If you want to be kept informed, please ensure we have an up to date e-mailaddress for you, and importantly, please set up your e-mail to ensure that mailfrom: ' [email protected] ' is not swept up by over zealous e-mailfilters. If you are concerned that we may not have an up to date e-mail addressfor you, please e-mail Christine Donaldson at the above address so she canarrange to get you on the list.


O B S E R V E R’ S C O R N E R

This section is intended to help when considering the best course ofaction. It is up to every driver to actively assess each scenario.

Responsibility = Response AbilityGetting a licence to drive comes with the requirement to act responsibly.However only you, the driver or rider, has the power to act responsibly.Responsibility is something which can be taken and acted upon but notsomething you can be made to do - you have to be motivated to do it for yourself.

When you are driving or riding it is you who is in charge of how you control yourvehicle, you are responsible for your actions. To be safe and effective youneed to recognise this and take responsibility; although of course you can’tcontrol other road users, nor are you directly responsible for many otheroutside factors.

You are however, accountable for your response to events outside your directcontrol, including how you respond to the actions of others, even if they havemade errors of judgement. Exactly how you respond to a situation is yourchoice, you decide how to react and how the actions of others are going toaffect you. Of course there may be occasions where things happen so quicklyyou may feel you have no time to make a choice.

Imagine a scenario where a carpulls right in front of you in lane1, heading for an off ramp. May-be the car then slows sharplywell before the exit so furtherinconveniencing you. Whatwould be your response? Youcould choose to get angry, useyour horn and lights and maybehand gestures, or might youaccelerate hard and overtake inwhat may not the most meas-ured way? You may just hang back and deal with the situation calmly. In anyevent the choice is yours, but if you have ‘response - ability’ you will be moreable to respond effectively so that your choice is the right one to maximise yoursafety, and that of other road users in the vicinity.

What would you do?


It is much easier to respond in the best way if you are on top of your game andusing advanced techniques such as observation, anticipation and positioning.If you are attentive and aware of what is going on you can gain early informa-tion, which gives you more time to plan and deal effectively with the circum-stances, including the actions of others. In this way there is much less chanceof things happening ‘suddenly’ and without warning.

It is quite easy to drive whilst being inattentive and unaware - you are in‘automatic pilot’ mode where your actions are effectively non-conscious. Inthis circumstance you may be able to function relatively well providing nothinggoes wrong to upset the ‘status quo’ of your drive. But when things do gowrong, your ability to make the right decision is compromised. Things whichcan affect your ability to maintain alertness and hence cause you to drift into‘automatic pilot’ are: tiredness, thirst and hunger, stress and your mental state,amongst others.

A second attribute needed to maximise your ‘response-ability’ is to avoid thedesire to blame others for events (even if it was not your fault). If you can seepast this and take responsibility for your own actions following an event, youare better able to make an effective plan. The act of blaming others tends tolead to less effective decisions. By blaming others for a particular circum-stance, you are effectively telling yourself it is not your fault, someone else isresponsible. This in turn is like telling yourself there was nothing you could do,someone else was to blame. You lose the impetus to get on and make thebest decision and so lose control, which can lead to more stress and a poorerperformance. Better to be in control and take responsibility for dealing with theconsequences of a situation - there may be time for analysis later, if necessary.

Being able to respond effectively in any particular circumstance depends onmany factors, not just the few mentioned above. The key to maximising your‘response ability’ revolves around honing and maintaining your advanceddriving and riding skills, enabling you to be best placed to deal with any eventuality.

Is GPS accurate?A frequently asked question is; “which is the more accurate my car speedom-eter or my GPS equipment (e.g. Satnav)?”

Well firstly you should understand that by Law your speedometer is notallowed to over-read, it must be spot on or over-read by up to 10%. In realitythis means that speedometers are often optimistic and hence register aslightly higher figure than the speed that the vehicle is actually moving at.

Satnav, along with an ever growing number of devices, uses GPS technologyand essentially takes a fix of your vehicle’s position. In optimum weatherconditions, on a flat, straight open road with no overhanging trees or adjacent


Older driver refresher courses benefit all, says IAMThe IAM has welcomed the new RAC report on older drivers which finds that84% of drivers aged 70 or over acknowledge the value of a refresher drivingcourse.

Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research said: “With ever-growingnumbers of older drivers looking to stay safe and maintain independence, it isencouraging to see that there is a high degree of support for refresher courses.

Older drivers have most of their crashes on high speed roads, particularly onslip roads and at junctions and roundabouts. Updating their skills to deal withthese hazards and helping them to stay mobile for as long as possible shouldbe the key aim of refresher courses. The IAM provides a Drive Check 55refresher course which specifically addresses these issues.

The IAM does not support compulsory retesting or medicals as we believethey will force many perfectly safe drivers to give up driving too early. This lossof mobility makes them a far greater financial burden on society and less ableto access services and support. GPs need more training and information tohelp them advise patients on giving up driving and refresher courses.”

Did you know that the IAM has already called for a wide debate on how we willdeal with more older drivers on our roads? Over the next 30 years the numberof male drivers over 70 on the roads will double, and the number of womendrivers will treble. By raising the issue now we can have the right structure inplace to deliver the refresher courses that older drivers want without putting inplace a restrictive and expensive new licensing regime.

IAM research in 2005 found that seven out of ten older drivers would likerefresher courses to include a brush-up on driving on busy motorways.

tall buildings the satnav reading is likely to be more accurate. Essentiallysatnav measures your distance, and hence speed, as the crow flies. It won’tnecessarily take into account the full effects of hills and twisty sections of road.

It does depend however on many more factors, such as the interval the builtin software records the ‘satellite fixes’, and the method and rate the softwarecalculates your position and hence your speed. Your location in the world willdetermine the number of satellites that your satnavcan ‘see’, and hence the potential accuracy of thedevice could also be affected.

The bottom line is that you should treat your satnavspeed readout with scepticism even if you appear tobe driving in the optimum conditions.

60mph

GPS speedo and compass


Are you Ready to GoSMART Dumfries?In a rural region like Dumfries and Galloway, using a car to get from A to B issometimes the quickest, cheapest and only viable option. However, in Dum-fries 68% of journeys are under 5 miles in length and Dumfries has a networkof cycle and walking paths and bus services, making sustainable travelthe ideal choice.What is GoSMART?

GoSMART is a new initiative developed in Dumfries to encour-age the residents of Dumfries to travel sustainably, to meet thechallenges of reducing congestion, local air pollution and car-bon emissions. Dumfries has been chosen as one of seven

‘sustainable travel demonstration communities’ projectsacross Scotland to showcase the Smarter Choices, SmarterPlaces (SCSP) Initiative. GoSMART Dumfries is funded bythe Scottish Government, SWestrans, Dumfries and Gallo-way Council and the European Structural Funds of the Low-lands and Uplands Scotland 2007 – 2013 Programme.

GoSMART Dumfries consists of various schemes aiming tomake sustainable travel modes more appealing and accessi-

ble. The measures include bus interchange improvements in the town centre,and bike-hire points, allowing users to hire a bicycle for short periods at a smallor no cost. GoSMART is also developing Park and Choose siteson the periphery of Dumfries, allowing drivers to switch to walk-ing, cycling or using the bus to travel into the town centre. Moredetails on the measures can be found on the GoSMART website.What are the benefits?

The benefits of travelling sustainably are endless. If youchoose to get active by cycling or walking, this contributes to the 30 minutesof recommended physical activity per day. Walking and cycling can easily befitted into your daily routine, allowing you to feel more refreshed when you getto your destination. It’s a great way to de-stress after a hard day at work!

By travelling sustainably you will help to reduce the number of vehiclestravelling in and around Dumfries, cutting down on congestion. Cars alonecreate nearly half of our total transport emissions, and making a small changeto cut your car use can make a big difference to local air pollution levels andgreenhouse gas emissions.

Travelling sustainably can also saveyou money, if you walk or cycle to


work every day you would soon see the economic benefit of spending lessmoney filling up your car. Travelling by public transport saves money parkingat your destination and allows you to use your time for work or pleasure. If youlive out of Dumfries lift sharing can save money, youcould save up to £860 per year if you travel 20miles every day by car sharing.Join the GoSMART Travel Club

Travelling sustainably can be easily fitted into your daily rou-tine. Why not challenge yourself to bike, bus, walk or share one day a week?If you live close to Dumfries town centre, why not think about cycling orwalking to your destination and leave the car at home? Or if you live out of thetown centre, why not register on DGTripshare.com to search for other peoplein your local area to share your journey with?

If you’re interested in joining the GoSMART Travel club, log ontowww.gosmartdumfries.co.uk to find out where the next GoSMART Dumfriesevent will be held. We’ll be giving away some free incentives to help youchallenge yourselves to GoSMART.

FacebookJust a reminder that the Motorcycle Section have a presence on Facebook -now with over 50 members – just search for Dumfries & Galloway IAM(Motorcycles) Group on Facebook.

Finished reading? Please pass it onPersonal recommendations from members are an important way of recruiting newmembers, please pass on this magazine to anyone you think may be interested.

For the full range of new on-road Suzuki motorcycles visitScotspeed, your local Suzuki Solus dealer.

New and used salesLarge range of parts, clothing, helmets and accessories

(We stock: SIDI, Silkolene, BKS Leathers, Spada, Scorpion,Yoshimura, LeoVinci, Buff, Givi, Motografix, Nitro, Shoei, Shark, R&G Racing and more)

MOT's, servicing and repairs for all makes of motorcycle and scooterAccident Repairs, Local Recovery

Hospitality area, 50” plasma screen, refreshments and cloakroom

S C O T S P E E D

MOTOR CYCLES LIMITED

2/6 Nith Place, DumfriesTelephone: 01387 265050, Fax 01387 263889

www.scotspeed.co.uk/

Special offer:

20 % discount on existing

stocks of BKS Leathers

—----------------------------------

We also offer IAM Members 10%

discount on many other items -

call in for details

Official Peugeot Scooter supplier forSouth West Scotland and Cumbria Dealer for SYM Scooters

Right Rider Motorcycle TrainingCBT, DAS & refresher training, call in for details

CrossflagsAt Crossflags we strive to create the best customer experience in the area.Please come and see us when you are considering your next vehiclepurchase.

York House, Annan Road, Dumfries DG1 3AW01387 253473 Fax: 01387 253472www.crossflags.co.uk

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