Our first test of 2025 was conducted on January 19th, but had been submitted before Christmas. So we have our first test pass of the year. We closed 2024 with 13 test passes. We offer those who have passed in 2024 our most sincere congratulations in becoming the better driver they wanted to be, having been supported by our our loyal Observers who have turned out on a Sunday morning come hail, wind, rain, sun or snow!!
Just a reminder that our February course commences with the Introductory evening on Thursday February 6th, full details on Page 8.
On page 14 we give more details of our move from Dobbies to Lostock Parish Centre for our Group meetings. Our stay at Dobbies (25 years) is the longest by far, but since I joined the Bolton Group in 1986 I can remember we have previously held meetings at The Beehive pub, the Lostock Arms pub (which closed several years ago) and Little Lever Cricket Club. As a Group we hope that the change in location won’t deter members, associates and friends from continuing to support our meetings. Certainly for myself it will be a luxury to be at LPC as it is less than a mile from where I live, however for those 25 years I have travelled to Dobbies in Bradley Fold an average of at least 35 times a year!!
Lurking in the IAM RoadSmart Media section of the IAM website you can find the IAM RoadSmart 2024 Road Safety Report – find it more easily using the link below.
IAM RoadSmart 2024 Road Safety Report | IAM RoadSmart Media Centre
In the Foreword, Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards says;
“In the past decade, progress on reducing fatalities on our roads has stalled. This is despite increasingly safer and connected vehicles with new technology designed to assist drivers. This year’s report focuses on a number of key areas, namely concerns among the driving public relating to cost, safety and others’ driving. In addition to this, we delve into personal behaviours and habits to understand how drivers are conducting themselves on the roads and what may be causing them to make unnecessary and sometimes dangerous manoeuvres”.
The Report (which you download) is 72 pages long, but don’t let that put you off. It is full of statistics, broken down by Region, Demography and Mileage. It is certainly worth a browse!
An article in Motor & Fleet magazine reported a survey which showed that UK insurance costs had seen the biggest drop in a decade during 2024! Comprehensive car insurance premiums in the UK fell by 16% over the past year, translating to an average decrease of £161, according to the “Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index”, which is produced in partnership with WTW. The drop follows two years of steady increases in premiums from 2021 to 2023. The index, which is the UK’s longest-running analysis of car insurance prices, revealed that premiums have now fallen for four consecutive quarters, with price reductions of 5% in Q1 (£54), 6% in Q2 (£59), and 2% in Q3 (£27). Mmmmmm – I wonder if I will see that drop when my car insurance renewals start in April??? You can view the full article at;
UK car insurance costs plunge – biggest drop in a decade | Insurance Business UK
And finally, a thank you to those members who have already renewed their subs for 2025 – that is many of you. On Page 14 of this newsletter we tell you how you can find out if we have received your subs. Sadly, if you don’t wish to renew, this will be your last newsletter – we thank you for your past support and we will miss you.
Roy Sammons