newsletter of bristol advanced motorists · pdf filereserves the right to edit or otherwise...

Circulation 450 no: 260 Jan 2013

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 e-mail: [email protected]

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

The IAM and Bristol Group explained

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

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 financed by IAM Members and Associates, who pay an annual membership fee.

The IAM also has a commercial arm which charges for training provided, including IAM Drive & Survive for company drivers who drive for work, and IAM Driver Retraining Academy Ltd for offence retraining courses.

The 200+ local IAM Groups are independent volunteer organisations, but they are officially Affiliated to the national IAM and work extremely closely with it. Local Groups have two main functions: firstly, they offer a local focus for IAM Members to continue their interest in Advanced Driving, and secondly, the main activity of Groups today is to provide Advanced Driving Guidance to Associates, preparing them for the IAM Advanced Driving Test. Details of how we do this in the Bristol area can be found on page 40.

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 21 De Verose Court, Hanham, BRISTOL BS15 3SW

[email protected] 0117 960 8494

the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists Page 1

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


mailto:[email protected]

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


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


Jan 2013 Read this newsletter on our website www.iam-bristol.org.uk

Contents this Issue Click on a title to go to the page

page Bristol Group and the IAM explained 1 Editorial items 3 Gift Aid tax conditions update from HMRC 4 Young Driver Refund Scheme - South Glos and Bristol City 5 Recent IAM Advanced Driving Test Success 6 IAM Test pass contributes to Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award 7 IAM Test success for Bristol Post journalist 8 IAM Test success at the end of a long road 10 FAD and Observer Courses 2013 / Want a DriveCheck? 11 Fundraising the Easy way 12 Bristol Group News 13 News from IAM Chiswick 15 Advert: Rosie Leigh Tea Cups 16 Advert: Steve G Photography / Place an Ad / More Associates 17 Advanced Driving Refresher Course 18 Group Monthly Meetings – New Hand on the Wheel 19 January Meeting / Visit to Marshfield Farm Ice Cream 20 CALENDAR – WHAT’S ON ? / BAWA Location Map 21 Three-in-a-Car - Your Invitation for 2013 22 Monthly Meeting November – Bristol’s Better at 20 23 Reporter Needed for Monthly Meeting presentations 30 Driving News 31 Keep up-to-date with the Highway Code 34 I’ve Bought New Tyres 35 Letters to the Editor - 5 topics this time 36 New Facebook page / Twitter / Advanced Motorcycling 38 Group Contacts – Who Does What in the Bristol Group 39 What’s this course about? / Associate Course Dates 40

HM Revenue and Customs, Toyota Bristol South, IAM Chiswick and ‘The Archives’.

All content compiled by the Editor unless otherwise credited. Contributors this issue are: Pauline Barnes, Geoff Bevan, Barry Cash,

Kate Edser, Barnaby Ellis, Martin Evans, Tony Gilbert, Steve Goodfellow, MW Griffiths, David Howard, Pam Hunt, Paul Hunt, Alex Merchant,

Clare Reeves, Beryl Smith, Mr “X” (name withheld),

We welcome items from our readers Motoring topics, motoring experiences, a comment on Group matters – or indeed anything of interest. Send an e-mail, a letter – or even phone.

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

DEADLINE DATE for receipt of materiel for the next (March 2013) issue: Saturday 23rd February

Page 2 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists


Read this newsletter on our website www.iam-bristol.org.uk Jan 2013

Now that The Holiday is over, A HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Group Committee.

Editorial

PLEASE RENEW YOUR BRISTOL GROUP MEMBERSHIP Renewals for all Full and Upgraded Members were due by January 1st.

To those who have already sent your cheques – or whose Standing Orders and SETs will have come into our bank account in the last few days – it is good to receive your continuing support of the Group. Thank-you.

This January, to reduce administration effort, we are not withholding the LINK from non-renewers, but we are sending it to all our 2012 Members and Upgraders. Those of you who have not yet paid by cheque will find enclosed a personal Reminder letter. Please consider renewing, to support the Group in its work of improving driving standards. If you are intentionally not renewing, please inform the Secretary by letter, phone or e-mail, so that we know what is happening.

Later in January, when the cheques and bank payments have been reconciled, all non-renewing cheque payers and Standing Order payers who have not informed us of their resignation will be followed-up.

GIFT AID CHANGES Gift Aid is undergoing changes in 2013 – and the first thing is that we are strongly advised to bring to the attention of existing Gift Aid donors changes in the Declaration wording. See the separate piece on page 4.

ARE YOU A NEW ASSOCIATE OR FULL MEMBER – OR MAYBE EVEN A NON-MEMBER READING ABOUT US? There is more to the Group than the Skill for Life course.

We hold ‘social’ Monthly Meetings on the 4th Tuesday (except December) at the BAWA Club, Filton. You are welcome to attend, to introduce you to the Group and to encourage you to remain with us. Entrance is free.

Hear the latest Group news, see Certificates awarded to people who have recently had success in the Test, FAD or Refresher, etc., Mix and Mingle, and maybe ask questions on driving and road safety. Whether you are a newcomer or an existing Member, meet and make friends in our Group.



Gift Aid Update HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Charities has, during 2012, published updated ‘guidance’ on the wording to be used on new Gift Aid Declaration forms. All Charities and CASCs need to ensure that the new wording is used on all of their new Gift Aid Declaration forms first signed from 01 January 2013. NOTICE TO EXISTING DONORS WHO HAVE FILED AN ‘OLD’ DECLARATION There is no requirement for Charities to ask existing donors (who signed before 01 Jan 2013) to supply a replacement new Declaration with the new wording to support existing signed ‘Enduring’ Gift Aid Declarations based on the old wording. However, HMRC politely ‘suggests’ that Charities “might like to remind existing donors who have made Enduring Gift Aid Declarations of the rules on tax” to cover themselves, perhaps through a regular mailshot. So, here is the new wording:

I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the Charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I gave or give on or after 6 April 2008.

There is also a further updated notice to donors:

Please notify the Charity or CASC if you: ● Want to cancel this Declaration ● Change your name or home address ● No longer pay sufficient Tax on your Income and/or Capital Gains

If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

These alterations are to help ensure that Charities give a full and correct explanation of the law to their donors before the donor makes the Declaration. It has always been the case that the donor must pay enough tax to cover all of their charitable donations and not just the donations made to that particular charity at that particular time. The new mandatory information on the Gift Aid Declaration form ensures that the donor is making an informed Declaration, and understands the consequences if they have not paid enough tax to cover all the donations they make under Gift Aid, not just those to just one Charity or CASC. Incorporating the information on the Gift Aid Declaration form is the simplest way for Charities to show they have explained the tax consequences to the donor and to ensure that the donor’s Gift Aid Declaration is valid. Charities can then be certain that HMRC will not challenge the later associated Gift Aid Claim on the grounds that the donor did not give a valid Declaration.

Please contact Bristol Group Treasurer Paul Hunt if you have any questions.



Money-back offer for South Gloucestershire 17 – 24 year olds

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 17 to 24 years age group. South Gloucestershire Council's Road Safety Team is providing funding to enable the IAM Skill for Life course fee to be refunded to Young Drivers who pass the IAM Advanced Driving Test.

The refund offer is open to Drivers aged 17-24 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.

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’s Pam Hunt,

on 0117 960 8494 or at [email protected]

Limited new funding for Young Drivers

who live in the Bristol City area The Group has just been able to release some money from a dto enable us to offer the incentive of a Skill for Life refund to a furfour 17-24 Young Drivers who live in the Bristol City Council area.

To register for a

ormant fund, ther

place, contact Associates Administrator Pam, as above.





Recent IAM Test Successes by Pam Hunt

We are very pleased to congratulate the following people, who have all recently passed the IAM Advanced Driving Test after taking part in thBristol Group’s Skill for Life Associate Scheme.

e

ASSOCIATE OBSERVER

GH

LEY ambridge Group)

TER

McKenna looks pleased to receive her IAM Test Certificate from g.

n

ROBERT ARMSTRONG KAREN GOU ANDREW FAULKS MIKE HALL ALEX GOSTELOW BOB HAWKS RICHARD HOWELL PAUL HUNT (and C KATHRYN JACKSON JOHN LEE JOSETTE McKENNA ANDY COLE NICK SMALE MALCOLM COLES RACHEL TRAN PAM HUNT

above: Josette Bristol Group Chairman Andy Cole at the Group’s November Monthly Meetin

photo: Geoff Beva



IAM F1RST Test Success contributes to Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

above: Rachel Tranter receiving her IAM F1RST Certificate and refund cheque from

CONGRATULATIONS to Rachel Tranter, who recently a

as

ssociate Alexander Eddleston was the last to receive a refund under

lease find out more about DofE

programmes and activities.

Bristol Group Chairman Andy Cole at the Group’s November Monthly Meeting, photo: Geoff Bevan

chieved a F1RST distinction in her IAM Test. It was even more testing because of the bad weather – rain and fog - that Rachel had to deal with during her Test with Bristol area IAM Examiner Barry Jones. Very Well Done, Rachel.

Rachel is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award and embarked on the IAM Skill for Life course with Observer Pam Hunther project in the Skills Section of the Award, and so receives a refund of her Skill for Life fee from the Group’s DofE Award Fund.

Athe scheme, exactly a year ago. Funding is available to offer a refund tothree more Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award candidates.

P



IAM Test Success for Bristol Post journalist

above:

Post Motoring Writer Kate Edser receiving her IAM Certificate from

n During her time with us, Kate has written no less

ere

g writer Kate Edser

was probably the most informal and relaxed test I have ever taken. Though fairly confident, my fluttering belly indicated I was not without nerves, but the laid-back, yet professional presence of IAM Examiner Alan Hale had just the right steadying effect.

Bristol Bristol Group Chairman Andy Cole at the Group’s November Monthly Meeting.

photo: Geoff Beva

than nine pieces in the Bristol Post newspaper about her Skill for Life experiences, and the Group’s Young Driver initiatives. Reproduced his Kate’s 9th piece, describing her IAM Test: “It was probably the most informal and relaxed test I have ever taken”

fter nine guidance sessions Bristol Post motorinAtakes the Advanced Driving Test. IT



Once a Police driver, with more than 30 years’ service, Alan is now Senior Road Safety Officer at South Gloucestershire Council and also an IAM Examiner for the area covered by Bristol Advanced Motorists. At the end of our 90-minute drive, which began and ended in Keynsham, he didn’keep me in suspense, and I was delighted to have passed my Advanced Driving Test. It wasn’t perfect, and Alan highlighted a

t

reas where I could do better, but he

s –

e Bristol Group of the IAM, whose

he passenger seat.

rse has improved my

I first passed 25

rshire Council. ost

rd and if you

r Life course has ,

ng.

: Bristol Post

n of Kate Edser

Note 1: ThGroup’s we g.uk

n .

also made a point of mentioning what I did well. The test was the culmination of three months of both theory and practical sessionand of swotting- up on the Highway Code. Credit must go to the enthusiastic volunteers at thmembers run group lectures for those hoping to become an advanced driver, and also act as ‘Observers’ giving advice from tI was fortunate that one of the Senior Observers, Alan Dunn, lived just five minutes from my home, and we met for drives nine times before my test. Certainly, I am far from a perfect driver but the Skill for Life couconcentration, observation and planning. Essentially, it means I’m safer on the road.Although the basic driving test is more comprehensive than whenyears ago, I can’t help but think that if new drivers were trained to an even higher standard, the extra cost would be offset by the savings in insurance premiums and a reduction in the number and severity of accidents. Bearing this in mind, Bristol Advanced Motorists is particularly keen to share their knowledge with young drivers – and it doesn’t necessarily have to cost anything at all, thanks to funding provided by South GloucesteIf you’re aged 17-24 and live, work or go to college in South Gloucestershire, the cof the Skill for Life course (£139) will be refunded when you pass. The next course (open to all ages) starts on Wednesday, January 23think that would make an excellent gift for your 17-year-old, or any family member, see www. iam-bristol.org.uk for details.

Kate says,

“Certainly, I am far from a perfect driver, but the IAM Skill foimproved my concentrationobservation and planniEssentially, it means I’m safer on the road.”

article and photo

reproduced permissio

e full set of nine pieces written by Kate can be accessed on the Bristol bsite, www.iam-bristol.or

Note 2: The Group also has funding to make the offer of a Skill for Life refund (upopassing the IAM Test) to four Young Drivers living in the Bristol City Council area



IAM F1RST at the end of a long road

ering a few In early 2007 the Bristol Group looked to gain publicity by offDriveChecks and Skill for Life programmes as Auction Items at

lk,

and

well

ght: ichard Howell pictured ollecting his Certificate

ristol Group

unt

fundraising events, such as the Asia Tsunami and African School appeals.

At one of these events the parents of Richard Howell successfully bid for a Skill for Life programme. Richard was enrolled, and got off to a goodstart during six drives with Observer Paul Hunt. However, before he could take his Test, Richard went to University, and that was the last we heard of him - until December 2012, when Associates Administrator Pam received in the post out-of-the-blue a F1RST Certificate for Richard !

It turned out that Richard had gone to University in Cardiff, then had moved on to work positions as a civil engineer in London and Suffolatterly finding himself on a groundworks contract at RAF Mildenhall.

Richard had kept-up his IAM national membership, and thought that, now he had some spare time, it would be worthwhile resuming guidanceactually taking the IAM Test. He enquired locally and enrolled with Cambridge Group, where he had some more observed runs with their Observer Mike Wilding, who had achieved some good passes recently.

Richard applied for a Test, and the IAM, using his Bristol address, allocated Richard to Examiner Ian Harris in Bristol. Richard did very on Test, achieving a F1RST on his BMW 1 series (a move up from the VW Polo 1.4 he had in 2007), and will remain a Member of Cambridge Group. riRcfrom BAssociates Administrator Pam Hunt just before Christmas. photo: Paul H



FAD and Observer Courses 2013 by Geoff Bevan

on each

well above the IAM Advanced Driving Test. FAD is open to any a

r’s , as

ely to run a Trainee

ces for late applicants. If you would like to be

temid=111ad an application form directly.

The 2013 Further Advanced Driving (FAD) Course will begin on Wednesday 6 February, with further sessions on Wednesdays 13, 20, 27 February, at BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton, starting at 7:30pmevening.

FAD combines both theory and practical driving skills, to achieve a tandards

Member of the Bristol Group, subject to satisfactory completion ofdriving assessment prior to commencement, and the cost is £39.

The FAD Course involves theory, based on Roadcraft (the Police Driveandbook), Mind Driving (by Stephen Haley) and the Highway Codeh

well as practical driving sessions with our experienced Senior Observers. There is a written test, and a practical driving test in which a high levelcommentary is required. The course should take no longer than three months in total but, in any event, as this is a fixed length course it will finish on 26 June 2103 with no extensions.

The FAD is also the first step needed to be able to progress to qualifying s an Observer – although at the moment we are unlika

Observer Course in 2013.

A number of people initially put their names forward, but some have not nrolled, leaving a few spae

considered for the 2013 FAD Course, please contact Margaret James, Training Administrator, at [email protected] or visit http://www.iam-bristol.org.uk/index.php?option+com_content&task=view&id=623&Ifrom where you can downlo

Know a member of the public who O OUR GROUP

a fee up,

wants a DriveCheck? – APPLY DIRECT T

The IAM offers DriveCheck55, and DriveCheck Plus for younger clients. Both cost £35, are run completely by IAM Chiswick and are conducted byIAM Examiners. The Ordinary DriveCheck (conducted by a Group Observer) is again being advertised by Chiswick. If you know anyone interested, refer them directly to the Group, who will conduct it forof £25. If a client first contacts Chiswick, he is referred to the Grobut Chiswick retains £20 and the Group only receives £5 for its effort.






A Huge Potential to Fundraise ‘for Free’ is thFigures published this Christmas revealed that the UK resident

most prolific Internet shopper – e

in the world - ©Jeremy Clarkson – with an

ISING. d

at’s with

average expenditure of £1,083 per shopper – easily beating Australians into second place with their £800 per shopper.

Do we have any of them in the Group? It is easy to raise funds for the Group for FREE just by shopping through EASYFUNDRASupporters registered with EasyFundraising and EasySearch have raiseover £400 since we started – ‘free’, for very little effort - and thonly 23 people registered – think of the income if all members joined !

Sign up free to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/iambristol and use the links on the Easyfundraising site to take you to the retailer and shop normally. A percentage of your spend comes directly to us at no extra cost to yourself. Always offers available. And voucher codes.

Raise Money for the Group he net !

s fortol.easysearch.org.uk You raise half a

ne

org.uk

reaking news! member has joined!

P ea 25 !

as you Search tEven if you don’t do Internet shopping, you can still raise fund the Group EVERY TIME you use search engine http://iambrispenny for the Group with every search. That may not sound much, but operson would raise around £25 a year making 15 searches a day. So far, our 23 registered members have raised over £100 by using EasySearch.

Like to help in this way but are unsure what to do? Just contact the Group’s Geoff Bevan and he will advise you. Call 01453 860365 or e-mail webadmin@iam-bristol.

B One extra Now we have 24 registered! l se join them and make itPage 12 the LINK – newsletter of Bristol Advanced Motorists

http://easyfundraising.org.uk/iambristol/

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








Group News TWO EXECUTIVE CDoug Smith has resig

OMMITTEE MEMBERS STEP-DOWN ned from Committee and Group with immediate

on and has

NEW ‘BRISTOL’ PLACES he initial funding covered both South Gloucestershire and Bristol City

4 a,

NTACT lare Reeves, familiar as the Committee’s Minutes

. A list can be seen on page 19.

ormer Observer Steve Hurley has completed thk to the Group’s Observer ranks.

orts

lksham Group recently held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM),

f. .

ith just 44 Full Members and 12 Associates, but their situation could

o the mediate crisis seems averted - but to be honest, it seems to be only

d

effect. James Lewis-Barned has gone up to university in Londlapsed both his IAM and Group Membership.

YOUNG DRIVER REFUND SCHEME - FOURTCouncil areas, but current funding covers South Gloucestershire only. However, we are now able to offer the Skill for Life refund incentive tomore Young Drivers aged 17-24 who live in the Bristol City Council areby re-allocating some money from a dormant fund. To register for a place, contact Associates Administrator Pam.

NEW GROUP MONTHLY MEETINGS COCSecretary, Raffle Prize buyer, and seller of Books at Course Seminars, has added Meetings Contact to her portfolio.

Clare has quickly done a fantastic job in booking peakers for 2013s

ANOTHER ‘NEW’ OBSERVER F e re-qualification process and we welcome him bac MELKSHAM GROUP “ON THE BRINK” Martin Evans rep

Meas they were ‘in crisis’, an AGM looming and the prospect of not enough Members willing to form a Committee. Our Secretary Martin Evans went along prepared to offer support and advice – as indeed did many other representatives from surrounding Groups and IAM Chiswick. In fact the ‘strangers’ outnumbered the Melksham members – an indication in itsel

Martin reported-back to our Committee that Melksham is a small Group wbecome more commonplace in the coming years, with maybe a need for smaller Groups to merge into larger units with their neighbours.

Two Melksham Members offered their services on Committee - simdelaying the inevitable. Dave Shenton of IAM Chiswick ‘reassured’ theroom that many Groups are suffering in the current economic climate an



other mergers have happened or are imminent – he mentioned for exampthat Wigan and St Helens Groups were considering a merger. Many Groups, although remaining reasonably stable, are suffering big drops in the numbers of Associates enrolled. A few Groups, however, have acmaintained or even increased Associate intake in 2012.

I think we in Bristol are actually doing quite well in the scheme of things – bviously we have a nice big city and its suburbs in our cat

le

tually

chment area,

e are in

o

d

]

he Group is considering hosting an Observer Training Day, the date . Interested Observers,

s on ,

ing and retired)

subsidy.

d to appeal to the young. The

ntly our

,

oand as such we are insulated from the worst, but please don’t be downhearted by our recent decline in Associates or the falling attendancat our Monthly Meetings …. things could be much worse! All clubstrouble generally, losing members and finance, and now a news release from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) suggests 40% of Charities couldclose in the next two years due to falling income, whilst 50% have had tdip into their reserves to stay afloat in 2012 and 26% have cut operations.

It’s really important that we keep ‘up beat’ in all aspects of the Group, and tay positive in difficult times. Although publicity and recruitment of s

Associates is difficult, we should maintain our focus on that area, as ultimately it’s our ‘core business’ and also supplies future Observers ancommittee members for the long-term survival of the Group. [Editor says: See this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bG0RlWgWBE

REGIONAL OBSERVER TRAINING DAY Tprovisionally proposed being Saturday 11th Mayplease contact Chief Observer Geoff Bevan. Following financial lossethe last couple of such events, the cost per delegate will be a little higherbecause the income from these fees must cover the cost of the venue andrefreshments. (IAM Chiswick picks-up the other costs).

HALF-PRICE SFL FOR JOHN LEWIS PARTNERS (work kill for Life now qualifies for the JLP Leisure and LearningS

PAYMENT THROUGH OUR WEBSITE e are constantly looking at ways to possibly accept subscriptions and W

payments electronically, to be ‘modern’ anlatest scheme to come along is Charity Checkout, which accepts “donations” via a Credit/Debit Card through a website. It would cost us about £115 per year plus 2.43% commission on throughput. CurreMembers renew annually by cheque, cash or Bank Standing Order. Only one paid in 2012 by SET (single electronic transfer), with two more for 2013, which suggests the demand is low. Would you use this new methodor another that you know about? Please let our Treasurer know.



IAM Chiswick News IAM members are invited to read

t s s) Groups, although a recent style-change

at

iswick website www.iam.org.uk ?

clist

www.drivingadvice.org.uk

can be ought by six consecutive monthly Direct Debit payments of £25 each.

d ium

p.

th.

ale of Glamorgan. PDS delivers Driver Retraining on behalf of the Police pany, named

e of an existing provider in

PRODUCED MONTHLY BY IAM CHISWICK FOR IAM GROUPS AND THEIR MEMBERS

the monthly INSIGHT newslet er(on IAM and Bristol Group websitefor the latest IAM news regarding seems to have made them less inform

Have you visited the re-jigged IAM Ch

ive than before.

What do you think of the revised presentation?

Members can also subscribe to Car, Motorcycle and Bicye-newsletters, which prompt you to look at various items on the website.

Members can also look at new the new microsite which contains basic driving tips aimed at the general public. GET A SKILL FOR LIFE - BY SIX DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENTS IAM Chiswick has introduced an option whereby Skill for LifebThe IAM considers that some prospects considering taking an AdvanceDriving course may take this opportunity, totalling £150 (the £11 prem“to cover banking costs”), rather than making one upfront payment of £139. Originally there was a delayed payment penalty for the Group, butIAM Chiswick now assures us that the Group will receive its full £31 fee as soon as the Direct Debit purchaser enrols on a course with the Grou

The administration method suggested by IAM Chiswick breaches Data Protection principles. However, we can adjust and comply by giving a special form to any prospect who wishes to use the facility, for them to complete and confidentially return to Chiswick. Please forward any suchleads to our Group’s Associates Administrator Pam, for her to deal wi IAM TRIES EXPANSION INTO DRIVER RE-TRAINING In October the IAM bought Professional Driver Services, based in the Vand Local Authorities (Speeding Workshops, etc.). A new comIAM Driver Retraining Academy Ltd, also based at PDS's offices, has been created to also focus on that market.

IAM Chief Executive Simon Best said, "Offering retraining to the drivers and riders who clearly need it most is a perfect fit with our Charitable Objectives. We have combined the expertisdriver retraining (PDS) with the IAM's experience in delivering post- licence driver training in both the retail and corporate sectors."



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ADVERTISEMENT

Full page £25, Half page £15 per issue. (Discount for Members and annual ads.) lines. circulation of c. 450.

Put an advert in the LINK

Lineage small ads: £1 per insertion, maximum 4The LINK is published six times a year and has aContact the Editor [email protected] 0117 960 8494

As an existing Member or Associate, YOU can be a good Sales Persuader.

your

0117 960 8494 [email protected]

THE GROUP NEEDS MORE ASSOCIATES

Do you know someone in your family, circle of friends, or amongstwork colleagues, who could benefit from joining the IAM and our Group?Every new Associate will help towards securing the short, medium and

long-term future of both your local Group and the IAM itself.

Information about Skill for Life from Associates Administrator Pam.

LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER ? LOOK NO FURTHER ! FEEL FREE TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE AND PLEASE GET IN TOUCH ! fàxäx Z



BRISTOL ADVANCED MOTORISTS

ADVANCED DRIVING REFRESHER COURSE

Would you pass ou sat it today?

Bristo el they m se x pr , but a Ce

me years ago. It has boosted my confidence

3 throughout the year.

For further information please contact Pam Hunt 0117 960 8494 [email protected]

above: Latest Refresher Course participant Mark Foxsmith (left) looks extremely pleased to receive his completion Certificate from Group Chairman Andy Cole.

photo: Geoff Bevan

Members . . . . Can you name the 5 Phases of the System? Can you drive using Limit Point Analysis?

an IAM Advanced Driving Test if y

If you said ‘no’ to any of these, or are unsure, then . . . .

l Group offers an opportunity to existing Group Members who fewould like e classroo to refresh their Advanced Driving skills. Th

minars are shared with the Associate course, and there are siactical driving guidance sessions with an Observer. There isn't a test

rtificate of Completion will be awarded. Cost: £39

Previous course participant Pauline says,

“I would recommend the Refresher, particularly to longer-term Members who took the IAM Test soand, I believe, has made me a better driver.”

The next course starts on Jan 2

and there will be three more opportunities

rd 2013 -



Group Monthly Meetings – New Hand on the Whe

el Clare Reeves, pictured right, familiar

er nt )

ffered to do all the communicating

in Don’s file and from some new leads.

the company, which is now 50 years old and totally British.

ces. ARCH

e ore.

AY nt,

UN

cycle’ come

EPT MB R VENTIONS ANPR men Chris Williss

ic.

as Committee Minutes Secretary, Raffle Prize buyer, and Seller of Books at Course Seminars, has added the task of Meetings Contact to hportfolio. (photo: Paul Hu

Since previous Organiser Don Brown stepped-down in November. Clare has oand arranging, but Clare still needs members to provide her with leads for possible speakers.

Clare has quickly done a fantastic job the few names remaining

in booking speakers for 2013, from

FEBRUARY AUTOGLYM Philip Marsh, local area distributor of Autoglym car-care products, will give a history of Some Autoglym products will be on sale at reduced priM AUTOMATIC NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION Chris Williss, Business Manager Road Flow at SEA Ltd (Systems Engineering and Assessments Ltd) will talk on th technology of ANPR. Accompanied by Les FinnemAPRIL (AGM) PAT DOUGHTY, IAM Operations Director, on the IAM and the International Decade of Action for Road Safety. M RNLI (LIFEBOATS) Jonathan Yabsley of the RNLI’s education arm will give a talk on the RNLI past and prese and the dangers of inshore waters, such as the North Somerset tides and mud. Have your donations ready! J E MUSEUM OF BATH AT WORK Stuart Burroughs, Director, will give a talk on the Kennet and Avon Canal. JULY SORT-IT TEAM OF SITA UK ‘Reduce, Reuse, Re - incorporating some issues that the collection drivers across day to day. AUGUST BATS Laura Plenty, Group Member, giving a talk. S E E CHILD CAR SEATS John and Fran Vickery on use/fitting. OCTOBER MOVING CONTRA and Les Finnemore on using ANPR to ‘monitor’ traffNOVEMBER HIGHWAYS AGENCY Dave Hillier - who we are, what we do.



Motorist’s Question Time – in January

Our January 2013 Monthly Meeting will be something a little different . . the

orm of an

ting, will include our inimitable

re

Bristol Advanced Motorists is after all a driving organisation, soJanuary Meeting will be directly Driving-related and take the fAdvanced Motorists’ Question Time, with a panel of alleged ‘Driving Experts’ out front to field your questions.

Inspired by the BBC’s ‘Gardeners Question Time’, we will be assembling a panel of ‘motoring experts’ to answer questions and provide an interes

formative and entertaining evening. The panelinlocal IAM Staff Examiner Andy Poulton, an RAC mechanic/patrolman, the Group’s Chief Observer Geoff Bevan, Team leader Tony Gilbert and Group Observer and Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Nick Perry.

You can ask all sorts of motoring questions: Were you driving recently and had an ‘issue’? Do you need advice negotiating an awkward junction? Aou unsure of the benefits of winter tyres? Do you know about the new y

IAM ‘Masters’ Test? Do you want some advice from the RAC?

You are invited to submit questions in advance. Please contact Group Secretary Martin Evans on 0117 979 8061 or at [email protected] s

This should prove a unique evening of motoring discussion.

NTERESTED? A visit to the Marshfield Farm Ice Cream factory at Pennsylvania has

he morning of Wednesday March 20th 2013. The

Group Visit - MARSHFIELD FARM ICE CREAM – I

been booked for tparty is limited to the first 30 people to book. If that includes YOU, please contact Beryl Smith by e-mail - [email protected] - or telephone our Secretary, Martin Evans – 0117 979 8061 . Places may also be booked at our Monthly Meetings.



CALENDAR for Bristol Advanced Motorists NUARY 2013

JA

thly Meeting BAWA Pavilion 7:30pm for 7:45 startite)

d inar 1 (see page 40)

p

Tue 01 Group Full Member Subscriptions due today ! Have you paid yours yet ? ? ? Tue 22 Mon Advanced Motorists’ Question Time (see oppos We 23 Skill for Life Course 2013/1 Sem including Advanced Driver Refresher course (see page 18)

Sat 26 Region One Liaison Meeting hosted by Salisbury Grou Wed 30 Skill for Life Course 2013/1 Seminar 2 (see page 40) FEBRUARY 2013 Wed 06 FAD course first session, at BAWA Tue 12 Executive Committee Meeting Sat 23 Copy Date for submissions for the LINK (March issue)

:30pm for 7:45 starte products

Tue 26 Monthly Meeting BAWA Pavilion 7 Philip Marsh of Autoglym car-car Autoglym products will be on sale at reduced prices MARCH 2013

Mo 11 the LINK Collation – venue at BAWA n

kill for Life Course 2013/1 Meet an Examiner pm for 7:45 start

ition

07941 896 248

Tue 12 Executive Committee Meeting Wed 13 S Tue 26 Monthly Meeting BAWA Pavilion 7:30 Automatic Number Plate Recogn with Chris Williss of SEA Ltd and Les Finnemore. Sat 30 Three-in-a-Car Old Sodbury, Cross Hands pub 10:00am

Contact Alan Dunn 01454 228093 or

Bristol Group holds its Meetings at the BAWA Club, in Filton,

ace.

Location of BAWA and Travel Directions

on the northern edge of the city. The BAWA Club, the social facility of the British Aerospace Group, has modern, comfortable, rooms and ample secure car parking sp



Your Invitation to HREE-IN-A-CAR T

2013 series Date Time Location Team 1. Saturday 30 March

. Saturday 18 May 10.00am Old Sodbury, Cross Hands Cabot

10.00am Gordano M5 Services Brunel

t o y F of riv igne

- ou

so on a course of your choice or,

arch 30th is the first in the series for 2013 and Alan Dunn, who

e

enues 3 and 6: Tony Gilbert 0117 950 1020 07973 730 498

23. Thursday 04 July 19.00 evening Thornbury Leisure Centre Colston 4. Sunday 11 August 10.00am Yate Overflow Cabot 5. Saturday 14 Sept 10.00am Gordano M5 Services Brunel 6. Sunday 27 October 10.00am Keynsham, Ashton Way Colston

At a Three-in-a-Car (TiC) you’ll be welcome but you’ll also be in for a real treat because no nly are the REE, they’re an ideal way 'keeping in touch' with Advanced D ing. The sessions are des d 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 group of three (or two or even four). One of you elects to be first to drive (very brave!) and yall drive off in that car for 30 minutes orif 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!!

Mhas organised this one, is keen to see as many of you there as possible to support him and the Group. This is your opportunity to catch up on a few tips from some of the Region’s top Observers. Thlocation is a new one for Three-in-a-Car, 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 248Venues 2 and 5: Dave Callister 01275 791441 V



Bristol’s

e

itaudience to hear Bristol City Council Road Safety Oand NHS Bristol Public Health representative Clairabove), talk about the City Council’s 20mph scheme, existing 30mph roads in the Council boundary reduced to a 20mph limit. Mike started by saying that he and Claire would both

uld tos: Geoff Bevan ]

ups of streets’ with terminal and repeater signage only,

mit

Better at 20 November M eting

It was the best-attended meeting for some time, w h 55 members in the fficer Mike Baugh

e Lowman (pictured which will see most

give short, basic presentations, on Transport and Medical issues respectively, which woallow plenty of time for discussion and questions. [ pho

TRANSPORT In 2009 the Department for Transport (DfT) assessed that the trial in Portsmouth was successful enough to allow wider use of 20 mph speed limits over ‘Grorather than needing special ‘20 Zones’ with their associated ‘Traffic Calming Measures’. Areas suitable would be ‘Residential streets where speeds are already low and cycle and pedestrian traffic is high, such as around schools, shops, and parks’. Limited studies show that installing20mph ‘Zones’ and ‘Areas’ has reduced speeds and injuries ‘slightly’.

Bristol City Council ran two pilot schemes (in Southville and Redfield) then, in July 2012, voted to introduce a 20 mph speed limit throughout the whole of Bristol, the first city in the UK to introduce a 20 mph li



throughout, on all but a few major routes. 26 other Councilplan to follow suit. The scheme will cost £2.3 million. Thiscome from a share of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) allocated by the Government in 2012 and the Local Transport Plan Settlement. The 20mph speed limit will be rolled-out in six phases starting with central Bristol in summer 2013 thcontinuing outwards, covering the whole city to its boundaries by 2014/5.

All current 30mph roads will be considered for the new 20 mph speed limit. There will be consultation (and an individual decision) on any 30mph oad which may be suggested to retain its current 30mph limit. Why the

s will

en

lth.

d

uld re

–

es h lays

wn

ds with junctions) - 50kmh (31mph)

iageway) - 70kmh (43mph)

- 100kmh (62mph)

r20mph limit? There are two perspectives: Transport Safety and HeaRegarding Transport, a new initiative, a new overall philosophy in the approach to road safety, is the Safe System Approach to Road Safety.This considers the person as the centre. It is the new European and world approach suggested by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation anDevelopment (OECD) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Two countries are better for casualty statistics than the UK - Norway and Sweden –their road safety policy is underpinned by a Safe System

pproach. Holland is also using modern techniques. Road Safety shoAbe put on the same safety footing as all other transport modes. Roads athe riskiest way of travel, but there is no reason why road travel shouldbe less safe. Road casualties occur one at a time, over a long period, so the public perception impact of total numbers over a period is not great.

We must design road systems so that we never subject people to an energy impact that causes serious injury. There are 2 elements in this . Reduce the likelihood of errors in the road environment – through 1

design of roads, vehicles, training and education of road users; 2. Reduce the impact of any errors that occur.

The approach to speed limits depends on the nature of the road, who us System Approacit, and what conflict exists on the road. The Safe

o speed limits: d

● Where people are unprotected (streets) – 30kmh (19mph) ● Where there are less people, but where

vehicles may conflict side-on (roa ● Where there are less people, but where vehicles may conflict head-on (single carr● Segregated lanes for different travel directions, with separation (barriers, etc)



There is also the factor that pedestrian–vehicle behaviour interaction is best below 20mph. Children below 10 years of

a ce ry ffiage find judgement of speed and dist n ve di cult above 20mph, and furthermore because of their poor peripheral vision may even be unaware of vehicles approaching.

[ Editor’s Note: Learn more about the Safe System Approach onwebsite http://www.roadsafe.com/news/article.a(No implied approval of Roadsafe – the page just supplie

the Roadsafe spx?article=814s good information.)

Use the link on that webpage to access description of the Safe System Approach ven at the International Transport Forum Paris Seminar, or go direct to:

l

gihttp://internationaltransportforum.org/jtrc/safety/Paris2008/paris2008.htm

You may also like to search for Vision Zero, the further Swedish development,for example at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_Zero ]

riginally, NHS Public Health representative Angela Raffle was down to collisions on a child’s body. She was

l’s Steve LeFevre on October 20th. She

, who

and wider social issues that

MEDICAL Ospeak to us, to describe the effect ofin

terviewed by BBC Radio Bristo

“stated the obvious” in that “injuries are greater in higher speed collisions” and failed to convince the interviewer with her other points. It would have been ‘interesting’ at our meeting!

Taking her place was Claire Lowman, also from NHS Public Healthfocused on the different area of General Health through Activity. Public Health focuses on the prevention of ill-heath,impact on wellbeing, including culture, the environment and deprivation.

A 20mph limit will result in slower speeds, which will make the streets safer for everyone, reducing the number and severity of collisions.

A key concern of NHS Public Health is increasing the amount of physical activity undertaken. The Bristol Physical Activity Strategy to 2016 supports walking and cycling, and making it as safe as possible, following the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) ‘guidance for physical activity 2008’, which through an evidence base suggests how to increase activity by improvements to the environment. Basically, it has recommendations on strategy, town planning and the built environment, roads, special paths, public open spaces, schools and access, which all give the highest priority to walking, cycling and use of ‘other modes of transport that involves physical activity’.


http://www.roadsafe.com/news/article.aspx?article=814




Chief Medical Officers would like to see journeys of 1 - 2 miles done by walking, and those of 2-5 miles by bicycle. nactivity costs £millions every year through causing a

ce.

lay and the

ommunity. The success of Cycling City and Active Bristol initiatives mean As

ar entred community.

alse perception of the speed of traffic - inhibits street use by cyclists s,

t by

r ugh to cross, maybe making them use one side of

n for the ‘20 for my street’ concept, surveys suggesting

ate”. Some topics re shewn here. Not all points were answered with specific replies.

r-roductive, frustrating and would lose respect of really needed limits?

The limit is OK – it is inappropriate people that cause problems.

I‘disease burden’ to the NHS. 2 in 3 Bristol people are overweight and/or don’t take enough exercise, and 1 in 3 children are obese through inactivity and poor food choi

Lower road speeds result in walking, cycling and outdoor pmore attractive, all of which have a positive impact on health

becoming

cthat more people are choosing to walk and cycle in and around the city. well as increasing physical activity and improving health, these pursuitsalso give a greater opportunity for social interaction.

80% of cyclists are drivers, so their changing modes will mean reduced cuse for local trips giving a less noisy and more people-c

A high percentage of residents see speed as antisocial behaviour which impacts the community. There is evidence that the speed of traffic – or a fand pedestrians. More street use would increase access to local facilitiebuild stronger communities, and increase the activity of children.

The Parent – would like to cycle to school, with their children; Female Cyclists are nervous – through a lack of skills, or fear of motor vehicles which appear to be going too fast - and efforts to keep ficycling are scuppered; Older People would like to walk to the local shops. 20mph traffic is better for this. Another problem is a fear of crossing the street – oldepeople are not quick enothe street only; Dog Owners – or their dogs - also find it not easy to cross the street.

The public is keethe vast majority are in favour of the 20mph limit.

DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS As Mrs Merton would say, “Lets have a heated deba

SCALE Why edge-to-edge? Surely specific residential side streets would be OK but a blanket on all roads would be inappropriate, countep



THROUGH ROUTES Are roads residential or a means of transport/communication? Surely pedestrian education and management is needed – control jay-walking across roads. What about places like Muller Road? Surely not 20mpIt is possible so

h? me roads may be excluded – every one is

illreduce speed.

enforce 20 ?

elf ph

,

l a 20mph limit work there? How can you stop drunks

has

a

d? 6%.

s down by 15%

Also, people who say they want 20mph in their own street still drive at their previous speed in other streets. . . ]

different by nature and we will learn as we go. Muller Road wcase and maybe a location where we will have to ‘engineer’ to

ENFORCEMENT We don’t enforce 30mph, so how can we

be a test

The Police have made polite noises but will take no action? National guidelines say limits where speeds are already low should be senforcing. The UWE is working on Social Marketing solutions for 20mompliance. There may not be a need for enforcement if some drive at c

20. Others will either copy, or have to comply by following a 20mph car.

CASUALTIES Where are the main casualties now? The whole length of Gloucester Roadover the whole period 7:00am to 1:00am. Two thirds of injuries are to pedestrians and cyclists. Traffic is already below 20mph, with the ighest number of pedestrians and cyclists. Accidents happen because of h

conflicts, so wilwalking into the road? The original solution was talk of elevated walkways – but pedestrians will ignore them and take the quickest route A to B, even if that is walking across a busy road or junction. So ideally oneto re-route the traffic to remove the conflict.

WHY ROLL OUT THE SCHEME AFTER SUCH A SHORT TRIAL? Portsmouth and London have reported only a one or two mph reduction in speed, and the casualties in the Bristol trial area have actually gone up in small random variation. So the decision was not taken on improved asualty rates and the trial needs to be 5 years to be valic

We want to achieve a reduction in speed. There is public support of 7In roads where it was 22/25mph to start, speed has gone down by 1 or 2mph. Where it was 27/28 it has gone down by up to 5mph. Average speed over the monitored sites is 23mph. A 1mph reduction reduceinjuries by 5%. Surveys in London suggest casualties may go or more. [Portsmouth inconclusive – Ed.] Monitoring and reporting to the Council will continue, and walking has gone up by 11% and cycling by 30%.

[ Editor’s comment: – several surveys have been done in Bristol regarding public support but the apparent selection of people asked seems to give a skewed high result. A survey by the Bristol Post, also seeming skewed, showed50% in favour, 25% against, and 25% agreed in principle or were undecided.



CAN WE CHANGE THE CULTURE OF CYCLISTS - Riding on pavements, ignoring red lights? Don’t segment into different users. Only 15% of cyclists don’t stop at red lights, the same as car drivers – 15% of car drivers also ignore red lights (said Claire). HGV and bus companies should send their drivers out on cycles, and cycling should be included in the Driving Test.

SCHOOLS – is speeding traffic really an issue? Areas around schools are congested and actual speeds are not high? It is an issue of pehas an impact on those walking. 20mph needs to be in the wholeprotect those walking or cycling to school over a longer dista

THE ‘MAYOR’ EFFECT Will the 20mph scheme continue or not? The

rception. It area to

nce.

andidate from the Council-controlling Liberal party came 4th in the

OLLUTION Will it increase, engines operating below optimum design

vel as

e

aybe the opposite, as has happened in Holland. An increase in numbers

cyclists and pedestrians.

r

od of a mistake and the less serious consequences – physics.

cMayoral election so perhaps their policies aren’t popular? 20mph wasn’t an issue in the election, but Elected Mayor Ferguson once said he was supportive of 20mph, and even mentioned imposing it on the M32 as well.

Pand lower gears being used? A study across Europe suggests pollution won’t increase – it won’t decrease either, but will stay at the same leif a 30mph limit were in force. [Editor’s comment: A driver in Lancashire is taking the local Council to Court, claiming a 20mph scheme had increased consumption, caused engine damage and blocked the diesel particulate filter.]

BAN CYCLISTS Speeding is not the cause of collisions. Cycling on thpavement and jay-walking are the causes. Politicians are obsessed with speed. Cyclists have no training and no responsibility. To reduce injuries the Council should ban cycling in the city.

MORE PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS = MORE COLLISIONS ? Mwill maybe make the risk go down, as there will be more familiarity and more expectation – looking for cyclists when opening a car door, for example. Physical layout can help - altering the Southmead estate to formcul-de-sacs has reduced accidents involving

SPEED IS NOT THE CAUSE OF COLLISIONS Speed is only onecomponent, but why does the Council focus wholly on speed? The main cause is lack of attention – “Failed to look properly” at 42% (Police statistics 2011). Speeding is about number 8 down the list. Road-usetraining is not in the field at all in Bristol? Speed is a contributory factor – the slower the speed, the less likeliho



NUTTERS Politicians don’t deal with the real issues. Get the nutters who drive in excess of 40mph. We also need to get the nutter cyclists – but we can’t be seen to be upsetting cyclists, can we? How many cyclists are prosecuted for jumping red lights? How many collisions do they cause? No-one knows.

ses the much road

a

t to taxi and bus firms, and

as looked at the

0

third on signage, and a

in Central Bath, t it has not received

o social marketing.

BUSES – what about them speeding in bus lanes as they do now? And icycles will now be going faster than the traffic? b

All motorised vehicles will be subject to the 20mph limit.

WHY IS THE LIMIT NOT VARIED AT DIFFERENT TIMES O20mph is surely not needed all the time? Slowing down increacapacity of the network and slower traffic does not need aspace, although no statistics to hand to support.

F DAY

s

SURELY JOURNEY TIME WILL INCREASE If speed is reduced bythird, time will be increased by half. Maths?

here will be a negligible effect on journey times. Reduced speed will be Tcompensated for by less waiting time at junctions.

WHAT CONSULTATION WAS DONE – I’VE SEEN NONE IN THE MEDIA, AND HAS ANYTHING BEEN DONE OUTSIDE THE CITY?

public forum has been operating in Libraries and on a Council website. ALeaflets have been handed out. A Public Engagement Group has been set up in local communities. Letters have been senpresentations have been done to local firms. Information has been printed in BCFC football programmes. The Council horganisation in Swedish and Dutch schemes.

AIR AND RAIL TRANSPORT is only safe because it is risk-managed to give safe operation of machinery. Surely there would be a much better road safety result through education and training?

HOW HAS THE £2.3 MILLION BEEN SPENT? Looking at it from an IAM perspective, the money would provide 17,00Skill for Life courses or 60,000 Refresher courses?

othing spent on training. A third on publicity, aNthird on traffic engineering, although there is no actual traffic calming. In another way, £5 per head is a low-cost public health intervention.

BATH is also introducing a 20mph scheme, starting Weston village, Peasdown St John and Keynsham, bumuch publicity because they are doing it for one third of the cost – theyare just putting signs up, with no public engagement, n



ATTITUDE Speed limits should not be needed. Drivers should observe and respond, and drive at the right speed for the conditions. Why the original 30 – to take care in built-up areas. Have today’s drivers not got the skill or ability to think for themselves? Why 20 – and also why the 40mph imposed on out-of-town country roads seemingly arbitrarily by Councillors?

[Editor’s comment: It all begins to come clear when you study the speeds in the Safe System Approach.]

own in k in that area?

ch is not really ot go up.]

nd the final reply from Claire – No, the whole scheme will go ahead.

with a small gift each,

recommended

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN IN FRUSTRATION ? Surely upon reaching the Council boundary and the end of the lblanket 20mph limit, frustrated drivers will put their foot dfrustration, maybe drive too fast, and pose a safety ris

[Editor’s comment: Research into 20mph Zones in London – whithe same situation - suggests accident figures outside the zones did n

engthy

AND FINALLY . . . . ARE YOU ABLE TO PULL THE PLUG ? AWith ‘huge’ public support, you can’t take it away.

Roger Joint gave the vote of thanks at the end and presented Mike and Claire

thanking them for a very interesting talk on a controversial subject.

Volunteering Opportunity - Urgent d n

We need a Volunteer (of what our guest spea LINK for the information of

e recently niversity.

[email protected] 0117 960 8494 Or speak to him at the next Monthly Meeting.

Reporter nee ed - for Group Moor Volunteers) to write a one or two-page summary kers say at Meetings, for insertion into the Members.

thly Meetings

Beryl Smith did this task excellently for a time, and morJames Lewis-Barned - but he has now gone away, up to U

If YOU would like to help, please get in touch with the Editor.



Driving News REMOTE DOOR-LOCKING SECURITY ALERT

here was a story circulating onT the Internet before Christmas that r car l any

ontents. The ‘story’ advises that you lock the car with the key, manually. This hshould be

s is now and again heightened, for example by the

y-code scenario has been

alert to any people

l

SEVERN BRIDGET o ntrod c O r iw gh crnC

SLE OF MAN MoT in many

w h

onable because there are plans to introduce Tolls on hire to pay for ‘improvement works’.

thieves are using scanning devices to capture codes as you lock youusing the remote – then using the device to re-open the car to steac

owever contradicts the usual Insurance requirement that cars locked and dead-locked with the remote key.

I enquired of my Toyodevices, and awarenes

ta agent, who said, “Villains are using all sorts of

recent BMW key-copying issue. The remote kearound for more than 20 years. Modern remote locking devices use a “rolling code” so a code captured upon locking is not the same as that needed to unlock, so even if the code were captured by a scanner, it would take some time in trial and error to succeed. It is impossible to defeatall crime such as this. The Driver should be aware at all times, and when leaving (or indeed entering) the car in a public place besitting in cars, causing a distraction, trying to talk to you or acting suspiciously. Pause for a moment before and during walking away from the car, and listen for the car being unlocked. As always, do not leave any goods or coats in the car interior, but ock them in the boot out of sight.”

S NEW CARD PAYMENT FACILITY he almost-farcical card payment meth d i u ed in ctobe 2010

nvolving a terminal on a long curly lead and a hand-completed log was ithdrawn – althou it’s still in place for punters who roll-up without any ash. The next step forward is that the coin-bin lanes now have a card-eader, for cars only. Put your card in and out, (no PIN or amount needed, o receipt) and away you go. heck your next bank statement.

29 Oct 12 VIS SEVERN RIVER CROSS BRISTOL 6.00

IAlthough closely linked with the UK, the Isle of Man is differentways – including that vehicles need no MoT. Only used imported vehicles are checked, once, on entry to the island. The IoM is ‘consulting’ on introducing an ‘MoT test’, because although vehicles ‘look good’, statistics show that in over 10% of crashes the primary cause is ‘vehicle defect’.

TOLL ROADS IN PROSPECT AGAINThe idea of charging Tolls on ne roads is in the news again – althougwhat is ‘new’ is questithe A14 in Cambridges



LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEW RECYCLING BINS So says the literature from the Council about provision of new containers. South Gloucestershire residents have 7 containers – and may also put out oil cans and car batteries separately as well - and Bristol City residents can now put out small electrical items.

A driver certainly has to look out for all these bins and containers, maybe actually in the road, especially if windy, or dark and wet. And gone are the days when the wagon and crew moved quickly down the road collecting. Nowadays there are up to 3 separate wagons on each day, with a minimal crew, taking a longer time dwelt at the kerbside to load the different recyclables. Sometimes the driver also gets out of his cab to help, which hazardous activity one also has to watch out for.

HIGHWAYS AGENCY CONTRACTOR CHANGE Highways Agency Area 2 has ceased its Managing Agent Contract with

th

t. The focus You may notice “better

y

lease?

epairs

unit (ECU). creases fuel

n

ce.

InterRoute and started a new-style 5-year Asset Support Contract wiAtkins Skanska. You probably have not noticed any difference. Area 2 (South West) is the first to change, all other areas to change by 2015.

The new model contract will cover roads management, maintenance, improvement, incident management, contingency planning, bridge maintenance, winter maintenance and technology schemes covering over 1,100km of trunk roads and motorways across the South Weswill be on cost savings, efficiency, and priorities. safety and winter service”, or more roadworks taking place during the darather than at night, or a move to repair rather than renewal.

A CONCERN OVER MOTOR-PRODUCTS ADVERTS The motoring press and even local papers are carrying two adverts whichmay be misleading. Best advice is to avoid both products. Opinions p

The first concerns a tyre seal treatment costing around £70. “Rpunctures as they happen”, it says, “You won’t know it has happened.” In reality, if you have a puncture, you need to know, so you can have the object removed and the tyre repaired and made safe. Usually, a tyre depot won’t repair a sealed tyre, so if it goes flat you’ll have to buy new.

he second concerns re-mapping of the car’s engine control T“Increase power and save fuel”. In fact, re-mapping indelivery and the likelihood is an increase in fuel consumption. Also, the car’s wear and reliability may well suffer long-term. More importantly, any car warranty will be affected, and you should declare the modificatioto your Insurance company, who may well refuse, or increase your premium. An offer such as “£100 off” indicates the high purchase pri



ARE YOUR TYRES FLABBY AND WASTING FUEL ? UK drivers are wasting £337 million a year on fuel by driving on under-inflated tyres, according to Michelin. Their survey found 40% of cars had at least one ‘dangerously under-inflated’ tyre, and 5% of cars were ron a punctured tyre. As well as wasting fuel, under-inflated tyres wear more quickly, put stress on steering and suspension, and cause poorer handling and increased braking distances.

Once set to a pressure, tyres can lose air, so should be checked reThe onset of cold weather also reduces tyre pressure – so check them

unning

gularly.

ptions, including .

congestion on multi-lane roads.

at has legalised it,

ly.

re

oad and 10mph in the busiest parts of central Manchester, also avoiding ise pollution and

.

again. Many newer cars have alternative tyre pressure oan eco setting. You can also reduce fuel costs by using well-rated tyres

MOTORCYCLE FILTERING and LANE-SPLITTING The practices of motorcycle filtering (overtaking queues of stationary traffic) and lane-splitting (overtaking moving traffic where no separatelane exists) seem more noticeable because of urban traffic ‘engineering’ esulting in narrower lanes, and increasingr

Many Motorcyclists seem prepared to take the risk. Several Group members have commented that whilst drivers are told to Think Bike, riders ought to be likewise told to Think Car. What do you think?

iltering/Splitting (within reason) is legal in the UK, but illegal in many Fareas of the world. California is the only USA state th(2 more to follow), on the grounds that “it cools the rider (and bike) andreduces the likelihood of rear-end shunts if stopped ‘in-line’ in traffic.” Several countries have stopped the once-permitted practice, including Australia. France did likewise 3 years ago, but under motorcyclist pressure may yet legalise it, as Belgium and Austria have done recent

BUS LANE EXCESSIVE SPEEDS ue to a number of pedestrian ‘incidents’ and the practice of large, wide D

buses travelling at 30+mph in narrow bus lanes inches from pedestrians and stationary traffic, there have been calls in some London Boroughs, andelsewhere, for a 20mph limit to be placed on bus lanes. Bristol’s new 20mph scheme should reduce bus lane speeds – but don’t bank on it.

Meanwhile, Manchester Council is introducing a code of conduct whebuses are to adopt a voluntary 20 mph speed limit inside the inner ring rrapid acceleration and braking, “to decrease air and noimprove passenger comfort.” Buses must not lay-over at centre bus stopsA Council spokesman said, “Bus travel is vitally important – but it’s essential it’s as safe, efficient and environmentally friendly as possible.”



Keep up-to-date with the Highway Code ow long since you studied Highway Code or Know Your Traffic SignH s?

on sign.

. . . . .

re

f

l Railway Bridge ill Lane,

Things change over time, and as an example the signage for low bridges has changed. The old Warning of a height limit in Imperial units has gradually morphed into a Regulatory Prohibition in dual Metric/Imperial, Metric taking priority. Many interim signs exist. The change came with creeping metrication imposed by the EU, to cater mainly for foreign lorry drivers, and a legislation change to allow both units on one prohibitiBut I can’t help thinking that it will be confusing to older Brits, especiallythose hiring a removal van or driving a large retirement motorhome

left: Old-style Warning Sign in Imperial units, hewith chord markings indicating the extent othe headroom shown.

This style will continue on arch bridges, but with a second Warning Sign in Metric units. Bruneat Avon MKeynsham. both photos: Paul Hunt Dec 2012

right: New-style Regulatory Prohibition Sign in dual units Metric / Imperial that is now used for non-arch bridges. Note this sign is on a post before the bridge, rather than on the bridge itself. Avon Valley Railway Bridge, Bitton station on the A431.

Highway Code and Know Your Traffic Signs are available at our Associate seminars !



I’ve Bought New Tyres – says Paul Hunt DOES EU TYRE LABELLING MAKE A DI

I recently put 2 new tyres on my car. It c p SP Sport tyres (new ones are rated F, C, 2 waves (7 older and probably of an even lower rating than that. It now sits on four Michelin Energy Saver tyres, which are ra

Driving away from the tyre depot I immediately noticed how quiet the car is now – external tyre noise (and hence noise transferred to the interior) is so reduced that for the first time I can faintly hear the engine rather than tyre roar at 40mph, and above that wind no

The car rolls-on noticeably more freely wh foot off the gas – so much so that for the first few apjunction left turns, acceleration sense did ell as before and I needed late braking to avoid overshooting

Rolling more freely has reduced fuel consue 57mpg, compared with 52mpg with two old Dunlops on

lops fitted all

ny

r

FFERENCE ?

ame new with Dunlo1db), but mine were of course

ted C, A, 2 waves (70db).

ise rather than tyre roar.

en take I take myproaches to major-to-minor n’t work as wthe gearchange point.

mption. 1,500 miles of outer-urban driving gavthe front and Michelins on the back, and 49mpg with Dunround. There may also have been some improvements in the fuel and oil over time – the same premium brands of each have been used since new.

The ride is ‘different’. On good surfaces, it is now much smoother, but a utility trench repair scar now tends to take the tyre with it, despite asteering input. This is because ‘low rolling resistance’ tyres have stiff bracing under the tread, whereas the old tyre without such stiff bracing would flex and ride over imperfections without being deflected so much.

The power steering is strangely much lighter and the car now corners neutrally and directly, as if on rails. The old Dunlops under-steered and were even noisier on bends as the tyre scuffed on the road. Some road-testers do not like stiff tyres or neutral steering because they say it reduces ‘feel’ at the steering wheel. However, I have got used to the hange and I have not experienced any tyre squeal or any indication that c

the tyres will lose grip. Advanced drivers rarely make emergency stops ocorner too fast, but deliberate sharp braking and sharp steering in wet conditions suggests the test value of ‘A’ indeed gives excellent wet grip.

It must be stated that other makes of tyre are of course available. Notehat the same model of tyre may have differing ratings in the three t

categories depending on the tyre size and profile. See the individual EU Tyre Labels or the relevant paper/online brochures.



Letters to the Editor this one came via our new Facebook page David Howard writes: 9 December at 02:21 I'm a little concerned that we call ourselves BRISTOL Advanced Motorists - and yet the offer of a full SfL refund ONLY applies to those 17-24 year-old young drivers from South Gloucestershire !

The Chief Observer and Editor reply: David, This question often arises – but the fact is that South Gloucestershire has provided the current funding. The Road Safety Team understands the value of Skill for Life and driver education above legislation. All of their main Road Safety staff have taken Skill for Life and the IAM Test

ristol City Council has not supported the ongoing Young Driver initiative – .

rea. al

sociates from e

ire, and many more mily, education etc., so the

sociates.

your next issue. M Associate

at

ter the treets. An opportunity missed at Temple Meads, with an electric shuttle for the

the car park shuttle. But then,

lding.]

Balthough see elsewhere that we have been able to ‘release’ some money to offer refunds to 4 Young Drivers who live in the Bristol City Council aBristol Advanced Motorists covers a geographical area served by severLocal Authorities and we cannot offer a refund to our Asany of those Council areas either. Dour Members and Associates live in S

spite our ‘Bristol’ name, up to half outh Gloucestersh

ahave cross-border connections with work, ffunding is applicable to many of our Young Driver As

FROM THE ISLE OF MAN BY E-MAIL Very good November newsletter, look forward to Kind Regards, Mr MW Griffiths – Isle of Man IA

[Editor’s comment: Thank-you. ]

Group Member “Mr X” writes: (name withheld on request) Dear Paul, PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES This missive is an extremely rare event, in fact the first I have ventured. However, herewith my thoughts on the current fleet of gargantuan public transport vehicles using Bristol’s streets. I have always felt it would have been more favourable to have insisted that Bus Companies should have kept to smaller narrower vehicles rather than altering Bristol's streets £millions of cost to allow these monsters to operate. Transport could have been just as luxurious, more flexible and more attractive to users.

[Editor’s comment: I presume you are referring to the “cattle truck” standee Park and Ride bendy buses? It has always amazed me that there is no bus station in Bristol centre for City services, meaning buses always litsCentre – like the short-lived one once used onaccess through Bristol’s narrow streets, and ‘the river problem’, would make such a station impractical without massive demolition and new road bui



And “Mr X” continues on a second, separate topic: Most of the time, 14,000 miles on business in Bristol, I drive a

well

he Smart cause quite a severe shock,

sket you

u an

ents for Men’ and is hock full of things I definitely don’t want.

tted something that might actually be

n for

se, if I recall y, Nissan offered a similar but much more technological and much more

expensive device with the same end-purpose a couple of years ago. ]

Smart. A continuous everyday problem is manhole covers setevel of their frames, e.g. half an inch, which when met by below the l

the very rigid front suspension of tboth to my system, and that of the car. Advanced Driving skills are brought to the fore but I am not always able to avoid the menace. Pot holes of course come into the same nasty category.

The thought is always present that a day out in the Smart as a passenger for the Highways Chief might result in immediate improvement to our streets!!

I would prefer these comments to remain anonymous though suggest theycould create a correspondence stream among members.

[Editor’s comment: In view of the interest shown by “Mr X” in public transport in his letter above, I must ask why it is necessary for him to do 14,000 miles in Bristol in his Smart. What is wrong with the bus, or a bicycle, or even walking? Perhaps it says something about the standard of bus services in Bristol ? ]

A NEW MOTOR ACCESSORY – says Barry Cash It’s called the ‘Headband Hoop Game’. It’s a sort of wastepaper bawith a headband on the bottom so you can wear it on your head. Thencan throw balls in the air and try to catch them in it.

Why I should want to do this it doesn’t say, but I mention it to give yoideal [sic. – Bristolian – Ed.] of the kind of tat in a catalogue my wife received in the Christmas junk mail. It’s called ‘Presc

However, next to the car coat hanger (guaranteed for 3 years!) and electric windscreen scraper (or battery flattener) I spouseful. It’s called the iSAFE anti doze detector. You slip this behind your ear and it will detect when your head nods forward, sounding an alarm to wake you up.

I confess to having trouble sometimes staying alert on long motorway journeys so at only £5.99 this could be a good investment. But would drivers actually put it oevery journey? [ Editor’s comment. If people willingly put on those stupid Bluetooth earpieces then they might well actually put this device behind their ear! Looks like a bargain (if it actually works, which is questionable) becaucorrectl



Find us on Facebook by Barnaby Ellis

DON’T DO IT WHILST DRIVING – but look at our

NEW FACEBOOK PAGE

You can see our new ‘open’ Facebook page without belongiwww.facebook.com/BristolAdvancedMotoristsor search for ‘Facebook Bristol Advanced Motorists’

Note that not all search engines will find the page yet,Yahoo or AVG, until site-trawling and webpage optimis

n

so stick to Google, ation develop.

een, but to get rid orner and you can

g to Facebook.

The blue log-in request box comes up and fills the scrof it just click on the ‘close’ button in the bottom right csee our Facebook page and the entries. If you can’t see the ‘close’ button, then reduce the screen view to 75% and you should be able to see it.

ou can see all the tweets on our t without belonging to Twitter. r I

( Google, Yahoo or AVG.)

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

Y accounhttps://twitter.com/iam_bristol or search for ‘Twitte

AM Bristol’

Again, not all search engines will find it – so use

? ced Motorcyclists is a separate IAM Motorcycling Group in

nd also providing guidance SUNDAY events.

Motorcycle Skill for Life course. Grab a bacon buttie and a cup of tea, pre

ffer for Young Riders who pass the Test.] e Group.

Interested in Advanced Motorcycling

Bristol AdvanBristol, acting as a club for existing Members ain Advanced Riding for newcomers, through its SUPER

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

Get a taste with a free assessed ride, and maybe sign-up for the

meet like-minded people, and maybe attend the various [There is a limited money-back o

sentations.

Use the link on our own website to that of the MotorcyclOr go to the Motorcyclists’ own website: www.bamo.org.ukOr phone 01275 372637 or e-mail [email protected]



Group Contacts Your guide to who does what

PUBLIC ENQUIRY LINE 07071 20 11 7phone direct 0117 960 8494 e-mail associates@iam-bris

3 tol.org.uk

Executive Committee, Bristol Advanced Motorists Chairman Andy Cole

07714 992 639 [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]

Publicity Officer Geoff Bevan publicit

01453 860365 [email protected]

Associates Administrator Pam Hunt 0117 960 8494 [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Paul Hunt 0117 960 8494 editor@iam-bris ol.org.ukt

Database Administrator James Rowland 07817 152 405 [email protected]

Training Administrator Margaret James 01454 776416 [email protected]

Membership Development [email protected]

Tony Gilbert 07973 730 498 .uk

Publicity Events Gary Nunn 01454 851 984 07557 765Organise

946 r [email protected]

Young Driver Rep. Barnaby Ellis [email protected]

Other Post Holders Minute Taker Clare Reeves 0117 969 1746 [email protected] Meeting lare Reeves

peakers Contact C Inform Clare Reeves of

any potential sat [email protected]

Chief Observer and Web Administrator

rg.uk

m-bristol.org.uk

Geoff Bevan 01453 [email protected]@ia

Group Display Boards & LINK Collation Organiser

Andrew Nicholls 01749 860321 [email protected]

Social Events Organiser vacant contact Secretary for the moment

ike to v lease co up Secretary.

CE

If you would l

olunteer, p ntact the Gro

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTI : Please note th gs and Driver Guidance Sessions of Bristol Advanced M image

ed t Adv s and its activities. This may include in our newsletter, on our we tion.

to withhold y plea roup Secretary. tary@iam-b istol.org.uk or

at by attending the Meetinotorists, you agree to your

being captured and us o promote Bristol anced Motoristbsite or for general promo

If you wishsecre

our permission, se contact the Gr phone 0117 979 8061









What’s the IAM ng Co Advan ourse l driving

tly holds a full driving licence. The course, system whi core of raining,

evelops skills and performance in car control and enables drivers to gain ide range of Advanced Drivin help a

driver feel more confident, safer - and make

her you precently, or maybe some years ago, you will

rom t sive driving programme beassed he Ad

rver. ed

v in South Gloucestershire, (oSkill for Life fee refunded w f South Gloucestershire and B ms.

Drivi urse all about ?

The Skill for Life ced Driving c is open to the generapublic – anyone who currenbased on the ch forms the Police driver tdknowledge of a w g principles, which can

driving more enjoyable.

Whet assed your basic ‘L’ test

benefit f his comprehencause drivers who have

p t vanced Driving Test can 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 ObseThe course gives drivers the skills requirto pass the IAM’s Advanced Driving Test,

which is the ultimate accolade in driving safety. Bristol Group aims for you to complete the course and take the Test all within 6 months.

Further details of Skill for Life are available from Pam Hunt, the Bristol Group’s Associates Administrator, on 0117 960 8494 or at [email protected]

e, work, or are in Full-time Educationr live in Bristol City) you could have your hen you pass the IAM Test, courtesy oristol City’s Council Road Safety Tea

Aged 17-24 ? If you li

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

2013 Advanced Driving Course Dates TELL FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLL )

JANUARY 2013 Seminars on APRIL 2013 Seminars on 2 . JULY 2013 Seminars onOCTOBER 2013 Seminars on

EAGUES ( PRE-BOOKING REQUIRED

Wednesdays Jan 23rd, Jan 30th, Mar 13th. Wednesdays Apr 24th, May 03rd, Jun 1 th

Wednesdays July 10th, July 17th, Aug 28th. Wednesdays Oct 09th, Oct 16th, Nov 27th.



The Cover of the hard copy version

The A5 paper version of the LINK over

onic

PRISM. g Lodge is a

e back cover.

l

has the glossy thin card cwhich is reproduced left.

The image shows Bristol’s icClifton Suspension Bridge, designed by renowned Engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened (after his death) in 1864.

The cover is printed free of charge by Bristol Printing andOffice Supplies firmPRISM Director DouMember of the Bristol Group, and in the past held Group positions ofTreasurer and Chief Observer.

Please view the advertisement below, printed on th

td.co.uk www.prism-



THE GROUP NEEDS MORE ASSOCIATES ublicity is the Key

ember of the Public (left) who is interested ourse and IAM Advanced Driving Test.

photo: Barnaby Ellis

0117 960 8494 or e-mail [email protected]

P

above: Chief Observer Geoff (right) pictured talking to that valuable commodity weMUST acquire for the Group – a Min signing-up for the Skill for Life c

Reaching Members of the Public with Publicity efforts has become extremely difficult in the last few years.

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 and our Group? Every new Associate will help towards securing the short, medium and long-term future of both your local Group and the IAM itself.

Remember we have our YOUNG DRIVER REFUND SCHEME available – those aged 17-24 who pass the IAM Test can have their £139 SfL fee refunded. (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.)

Information about Skill for Life can be obtained from Associates Administrator Pam Hunt.

phone


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