Gear up for tougher roads, says IAM Drive & Survive

26 May 2010

With the 1st June marking the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the driving test in the UK, IAM Drive & Survive has called for employers to help their drivers to continually improve their technique in keeping with increasingly demanding driving conditions.

Simon Elstow, IAM Drive & Survive Head of Training, said: “There are more cars on the road than ever before, and the driving environment is becoming more complicated. Our culture has become increasingly fast paced, everything is done ‘on the move.’  Business drivers tend to travel many miles, often while tired and stressed, with the regular distraction of the ‘mobile office’.  Our driving tests, however, have changed little over the years, and an improvement in driving standards is needed to fill the gap.

“Although cars are becoming easier to drive – with much improved brakes and suspension as well as power steering and a host of safety systems - traffic has significantly increased and traffic networks have become immensely more complex, so the business driver needs far more understanding of what’s going on outside the car,” he said.

The IAM wants to see a rural road element being incorporated into the driving test, as it is not currently compulsory. In the UK 71 per cent of road deaths occur on rural roads.

“It is improving the driver which will make the single biggest improvement to road safety in the future, and drivers need to take it upon themselves to adopt a lifelong learning approach,” added Mr Rodger.

• In 1935 the driving test was introduced: within a year the death toll had fallen by nearly a thousand. 
• In 1934, 7,343 people were killed on Britain's roads when there were just 2.4 million vehicles. In 2008 there were two-thirds fewer deaths (2,538), but fourteen times as many vehicles (34 million).
• In 2008 the learner pass rate was 41 per cent for women and 47 per cent for men.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• In 1935 there were only 1.4m cars on the road – today there are over 28.3 million.
• On the 1st June 1935 compulsory testing was brought in for all drivers. Around 246,000 candidates applied, with a pass rate of 63 per cent, and for a period 250 examiners were taking at least nine - and up to sixteen - half-hour driving tests a day. In 2008 the pass rate was 44 per cent.
• 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

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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 company 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.

4. Skill for Life programmes are delivered through a UK wide network of over 200 voluntary IAM groups, details of which can be found at iam.org.uk.