IAM Drive & Survive helps Arsenal FC with their corners

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7 May 2010

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IAM Drive & Survive have teamed up with Citroën UK to help them implement an advanced driver training programme that will teach Arsenal Football Club’s young reserve team players to corner safely with style.

Citroën, the official car supplier to Arsenal Football Club, has introduced the programme with the help of driving experts from IAM Drive & Survive called “How To Take Corners Properly.” The programme focuses on teaching the North London Club’s young reserve team players valuable on the road safety awareness.

Statistics show that 1 in 5 young drivers will have an accident in the first year of driving, particularly 17 -24 year old males. Although they make up just 9% of the driving population, they represent almost 25% of all KSI crashes (killed or seriously injured) on UK roads.

Citroën joined forces with Neil Banfield, Arsenal’s Reserve Team Coach,and IAM Drive & Survive experts to develop a driving programme that includes coaching and driving tips to increase player safety behind the wheel.

“The players will spend a vast amount of time preparing for training and matches and by working with Citroën and IAM Drive & Survive we wanted to ensure that they make similar preparations when they get behind the wheel of a car,” explained Banfield.

“Spatial awareness is as crucial on the field of play as it is on the road and we have looked to transfer these skills to help their driving safety.”

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Reserve team players including Craig Eastmond, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Wojciech Szczesny completed an IAM Drive & Survive online risk assessment, e-learning course, attended a driver

awareness seminar and took part in on the road driver training in brand new Citroën DS3s for some on-road coaching with qualified IAM Drive & Survive trainers.

Arsène Wenger comments: “As a club we invest a lot of time in to the education of our players. We can help shape these young players’ careers, and continuing their development off the pitch is equally important to us. We’re grateful for the time Citroën have spent getting behind this project and know the players will benefit.”

Simon Best, IAM Chief Executive said: “I must congratulate Arsenal Football Club for their proactive approach in equipping their players with advanced driving skills. It shows a serious commitment and duty of care to these young players. I’d urge the corporate world to follow this great example of ensuring the road safety of all staff in their care. The on road risks to young male drivers in the UK are stark and concerning and should not be taken lightly. IAM Drive & Survive are committed to keeping all those driving for or to work safe.”

Banfield said: “While it is our job to best prepare the players for the football pitch it is also of paramount importance to develop skills off the field. As part of the players’ education here as scholars they will learn a variety of life skills but this is the first time we have educated them to the rules of the road and we hope to integrate this into the programme on a regular basis.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

A video of the activity can be found here 

  • IAM Drive & Survive is a commercial subsidiary of the IAM and promotes occupational driver improvement throughout the fleet/business community. IAM Drive & Survive helps employers achieve their duty of care to employees and also help to reduce road accidents whilst driving on business.

  • www.iamdriveandsurvive.com

  • Follow IAM Drive & Survive on Twitter www.twitter.com/IAMdrivesurvive

    • An online Individual Driver Risk Assessment (IDRA) was completed by all players and is recommended by IAM Drive & Survive as the first step in assessing an individual’s driving knowledge and driving risks. This help to prioritise an individual’s driver training needs.

    Examples of some of the multiple choice questions asked in the IDRA are as follows:

    When approaching a roundabout what is your major concern?

    • Being able to see your exit road
    • Following vehicles (being hit behind)
    • Whether there are road/direction markings
    What is the most significant factor in making driving dangerous whilst using a mobile phone?
    • Road conditions
    • Traffic conditions
    • Complexity of conversation

    You are in lane two (of a three lane motorway) overtaking an articulated lorry. What is your main worry?

    • Being three in a row (three abreast)
    • Heavy rain is falling
    • Noticing the lorry driver is on a mobile phone

    What is your major concern when approaching a blind bend?

    • A road narrows warning sign
    • Adverse camber
    • Loose chippings

    Media contacts:

    IAM Press Office – 020 8996 9777

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    ISDN broadcast lines available

    iam.org.uk

    ENDS ALL

    1. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) directly influences the driving and riding of more than 100,000 full members in the UK and Ireland. Established in 1956, the IAM is today best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving course, which is available to car, motorcycle and commercial licence holders. The IAM has grown to become the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to raising driving standards, engaging with the road-using public and influencing road safety policy.  The commercial division of the IAM operates through occupational driver training companies IAM Drive & Survive.

    2. A 2006 report by Brunel University, following an 18 month study, concluded that “advanced driver training produces safer drivers and lower accident involvement”, with measurable improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude.

    3. In January 2007, the IAM established the Policy and Research Division to undertake research, promote practical policies, act as an advocate for safer roads, safer drivers and safer vehicles and encourage responsible motoring through education and training.