Driving and Riding Tips

This week’s tips give advice to students packing their bags for the big drive or ride to university. For many this trip will be the furthest they have driven, and in an area they are not yet familiar with. 

The summer holidays have come to a close and for some parents not a moment too soon.  Order and normality will resume along with the dreaded school run which starts again for another year. This week’s tips offers advice to drivers and riders on how to survive the term time road rush from IAM RoadSmart’s head ...

Roundabouts sometimes send even the most experienced drivers into a panic. But never fear: IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving standards Richard Gladman is here to help you out.

Many riders take to roads without realising they are putting themselves in danger, wearing the incorrect clothing. This week’s tips offers advice on clothing to all riders from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

Many new drivers will take to the road this summer after successfully passing their driving tests. You may have some hiccups along the way and not know how best to cope. Statistics show that the first six months of solo driving are when you are most at risk. This week’s tips give advice to new drivers from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding st...

Over time our eyesight deteriorates and previously strong vision can become poor. If eyesight problems are left unaddressed they can often lead to poor reaction times to unexpected hazards or the behaviour of other road users. This week’s tips give advice on eyesight. When riding and driving from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards...

You may be a first time car buyer or just in the need for a new ride. This week’s tips offer advice on buying a used car from IAM RoadSmart’s head of technical policy and advice, Tim Shallcross.

The summer holidays are here and many families will be packing for success as they set off to enjoy and travel. This week’s tips give advice on driving with children from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

Summer is here in all its glory and with its arrival also comes the arrival of pressure cooker driving conditions. Many drivers will be taking to the road stressed by holiday deadlines, long traffic queues, overheated cars and hot tempered drivers. This week’s tips give advice on dealing with road rage for riders and drivers from IAM RoadSmart’s he...

Summer is here and many of us will be taking to the streets and country roads with our bicycles to make the most of the sunshine. This week’s tips give advice on sharing the road with cyclists from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

Many of us can find parking and looking for the right spot quite challenging but sometimes we also forget about checking our surroundings when we leave the car.  A few simple checks can avoid costly and irritating car park mistakes and make your trip a lot less stressful. This week’s tips give advice on parking from IAM RoadSmart’s head of dri...

It’s that time of the year to bring out your wellies, rain capes and lose yourself in the music because the summer festival season is here. This week’s tips give advice on riding and driving to and from festivals from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

Finding the time to take a trip abroad can be a challenge but many of us look forward to it. It can be a huge task for especially for motorcycle users abroad. This week’s tips give advice on riding abroad from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

Going away during the summer is something that many look forward to. Prevention is better than cure and if you are taking your own vehicle abroad it is a great idea to be prepared for the unexpected events that can occur when on the road. This week’s tips give advice on driving abroad from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richa...

Horses are powerful animals and have extremely heightened senses. They are ‘flight’ animals, so many revert to their natural instincts at any time. The outcome of this can be extremely challenging for the rider and other road users. There have been 2,570 road incidents reported to the British Horse Society in the last six years. Some 38 riders have...

Illegal substances can affect drivers in several ways, making them unfit for the road. But it is not only illegal drugs that we should be wary of. Prescribed or over the counter drugs can have similar negative affect’s on motorists too and driving while impaired by medication could see you banned from using the road. This week’s tips give advice on ri...

Drunk motorists cause thousands of accidents on UK roads every year. Some 1,380 people were killed or seriously injured when at least one driver was over the limit. This represents a statistically significant rise from 1,310 in 2014. A lot of people may be surprised to learn that accidents occur the most over the summer period. This week’s tips give advi...

Satellite navigation systems (sat navs) are a must have these days but many road users fail to use this travel companion in the correct or safe manner. In a recent simulator study looking at a variety of distractions, programming a sat nav had the biggest negative impact on driving standards. This week’s tips give advice on riding and driving with a sat ...

A sneeze or sniffle has a way of creeping up on you, especially when you least expect it.  Hay fever seems to affect many of us. This week’s tips give advice on riding and driving with hay fever, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

The clocks have gone forward and days are longer than nights for the next six months; it’s time to get your car hale, hearty and ‘beach body ready’ in preparation for the spring. This week’s tips give advice on getting your car ready for the warmer weather, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

Securing the right motor insurance is an unavoidable headache, but once you have it can be off-putting hearing about the many ways you could have saved or reduced your monthly payments. This week’s tips give advice on reducing your motor insurance costs, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

After being involved in a road traffic incident it is easy to lose confidence and the thought of getting back in the driving seat can be quite daunting. This week’s tips give advice on how to cope after the aftermath of a driving incident, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

During the daily commute we are often in such a hurry we could leave our brains on the kitchen counter! This forgetfulness can also often happen whilst we are in our cars and so we end up leaving valuables visible for thieves. This week’s tips give advice on how to prevent car theft, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gl...

Buying a brand new car is something that many dream of.  Although “running in” a car is not so critical today as it was in times gone by, there are a few things to bear in mind as you drive your shiny new pride and joy away from the showroom. This week’s tips give advice on driving a new car, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving an...

Drivers with conditions such as dyspraxia, which affects hand-eye coordination, short term memory and spatial awareness often travel not noticing their condition and find it more challenging using the road than others. Some are even unaware that they are suffering from a coordination disorder. This week’s tips give advice on driving with dyspraxia, from ...

The school run isn’t always the calmest of experiences but having your kids properly secured in the back will take at least one stress off your mind. This week’s tips give advice on driving with children, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

Mobile communications and GPS systems used as sat-navs are becoming very common in cars. Whether you are connecting your Bluetooth to blast tunes or looking for the nearest Waitrose, these have become a fundamental part of the daily drive for many of us.

We are all made up of different shapes and sizes, from old to young and within our unique make-up we each have a different set of problems and vulnerabilities. This week’s tips give advice on sharing the road with vulnerable road users, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

Emergency vehicles are everywhere, going at unexpected speeds responding to the needs of the public. They do not expect you to put yourself or others in danger to facilitate this. This week’s tips give advice on how to handle approaching emergency vehicles whilst travelling on the roads, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richar...

With the constant change of weather it’s amazing that many of us are able to get from A to B. We would have hoped with a new year and all that Mother Nature might be kind to us but this isn’t the case. This week’s tips give advice on how to deal with driving and riding in the wind, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standar...

Being safe, reliant and efficient road users are the key things that enable greater safety on the roads and allow them to run smoothly. It is vital to continue this mission of endless safety by maintaining your vehicle and ensuring that is serviced and up-to-date. This week’s tips give advice as to why it is important to get your motor serviced, from IAM Ro...

Saving money will most definitely be on the agenda for many this year but many neglect the expenses that derive from your vehicle. This week’s tips give advice on saving fuel, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

A lot of you may be in the mentality of ‘New Year, New Me’ and hopefully fulfilling your News Year’s resolutions, walking down the road of positivity. Some drivers will be going for their MOT checks and it would be a negative start to the year to fail this. This week’s tips give advice on how to avoid failing your MOT, from IAM RoadSmar...

It’s the second week of the New Year and the only person who seems to have not got the message that winter is supposed to be over is Jack Frost. This week’s tips give advice on how to deal with winter driving and riding whilst travelling during these dark January days, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman

It’s the start of the New Year and temperatures have dropped below zero in many places.  Even though we hope most drivers will be getting back into their usual routines, the icy roads won’t make the return to work so easy. This week’s tips give advice on how to deal with driving and riding on ice, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving ...

The time has finally come for the pigs in blankets, stuffing and the inevitable turkey. During this festive season many of us will be making our way home to celebrate the joyous season with family. This week’s tips give advice for those travelling for Christmas during this busy season, from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richa...

During this festive season most of us will be running around shopping and meeting with friends and family to celebrate their hard earned break.  Even though we hope most drivers will have managed to get their full eight hours sleep, this isn’t always the case and we need to be aware we could be sharing the road with many a stressed and exhausted scroog...

While any amount of sunshine is welcomed at this time of year, the glaring low winter sun is taking no prisoners.  In 2015 dazzling sun was a factor in over 2,500 crashes including 17 fatalities.  Even though we have many tools that aid in protecting us from the glare, we often forget to use them. This week’s tips give advice on how to stay saf...

All lane running motorways use technology to actively manage the flow of traffic. Driving on them can sometimes be tricky, particularly if you are not a regular user. They use technology to actively manage the flow of traffic and don’t work effectively if motorway users do not use them as they’re supposed to. This week’s tips give advice on how ...

Winter has arrived and one of the hardest (and most frequent) conditions we experience here in the UK is riding in high wind, especially while the road is wet too. In addition these conditions can blow or turn riders off course. Here are some tips to prepare riders this winter season from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladm...

It may seem a little late to be discussing autumn weather but with the impact of the Indian summer, all of the seasons have been pushed back a spell. Many of us will be taking to the road this week on the daily commute. Here are some tips to prepare drivers and riders on this late leaf falling season from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standa...

They say that Paris is a city of lights and Sydney is the city of fireworks. Well enter London from stage right, as we celebrate bonfire night on Saturday (5th). This week’s tips give advice on how to stay safe driving and riding during the fireworks. Many of us will be taking to the road this week, going to light fireworks or watch them at our loca...

Ghost and goblins, spooks galore drive safely or scary witches will be at your door. In case you haven’t figured it out yet it is Halloween! Many of us will be taking to the road this week, going to scare and have a good time at parties and haunted theme events. Here are some tips to prepare drivers and riders on this eventful season from IAM RoadSmart&rsqu...

As we prepare to gain an hour of sleep the days are getting shorter as darkness is falling all over. Many of us will be off on the morning commute and it can be daunting driving in the dark for the first time in months. Here are some tips to prepare drivers and riders for driving in the twilight zone from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards...

The Indian summer was fun while it lasted but make way for the hats, scarves and wellies because winter is on its way. The temperature is gradually dropping reminding us that we have to make sure we have our de-icers ready. Here are some tips to prepare motor users for the winter from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

Many of us take to the road with our pets and if we are lucky enough might even have a place for them at our desks. But much as we love them, now and again our furry friends can pose a few challenges when we’re driving. Here are some tips for those driving with pets from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman.

The daily commute can often get repetitive and could tempt you to look to your car for entertainment. A favourite song may come to mind or even the thought of calling someone from a hand held mobile phone to pass time. Here are some driving tips to avoid distractions from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

Freshers’ week is beginning for many, and students are going to be making their way north, south, east and west to begin their higher education. For some this will be the longest journey they’ve ever driven, to a new area, with a car fully laden with all their worldly goods. Here are some driving tips for those packing their bags up for the big trip t...

Driving style has a huge impact on fuel consumption and is key to reducing your impact on the environment.  You can buy the greenest car on the market but if you drive it badly or use it too much, you simply undermine all the benefits.  There are however some things you can do to save money and reduce CO2 emissions and pollution.  Here are some env...

Driving with young children can sometimes be stressful when trying to keep an eye on both them and the road. This week is back-to-school for many and a new wave of under-fives will be going to nursery. Here are some safety tips for driving with young children from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

The summer holidays are coming to an end and the school run is going to be in the forefront of many parent’s minds. Regardless of the amount of years you have been on the road, early-morning starts see a lot of drivers distracted and in a hurry. This poses additional risks for students and othe...

In this week’s driving tips IAM RoadSmart head of standards Richard Gladman talks about how to avoid becoming a road rage victim, and what to do if it does escalate.

From V Festival to garden BBQs, the UK summer season offers something for everybody. In many cases that’s booze. Here are some summer driving safety tips from, IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

Spring has officially arrived and like us, our cars need to shake off the winter cold to be fit for the summer ahead. If you haven’t done so already, get your car ready for spring with our latest tips from the IAM’s standards and compliance manager, Richard Gladman.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s standards and compliance manager, Richard Gladman, are offering advice to motorcyclists planning an Easter getaway to continental Europe. Find out how you can best prepare for your journey abroad.

This week’s tips, from the IAM’s director of policy and research, Neil Greig, are advising drivers on how to cope with a breakdown on the motorway. Read our essential tips to find out more.

From now until June, every motorcyclist in the UK is being offered the unique opportunity of a free 60 minute skills and safety riding assessment, courtesy of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are about driving safely on urban roads to minimise the risk of a road incident.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are looking at the challenges motorists face when they’re unwell. With over 200 common cold viruses, the chances of us getting a cold are pretty high. Don’t just ignore the symptoms and be sure to read these essential tips.

This week the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, offers motorcyclists six top tips on riding safely in wind.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are about driving safely in storms. As storm Imogen brings strong gusts of wind across the country, here’s how you can make your journey a safe one for the road.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are about driving with the correct lights on under different circumstances on the road. Read our latest tips to find out more.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s Director of Standards, Mark Lewis, are about driving safely in frost and ice. With temperatures near freezing, here’s how you can ensure your journey is a safe one for the road.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are sharing advice with motorists about driving safely in fog. Read our latest tips to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.

This week’s tips, from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis are advising motorists on how to cope with driving in high winds. Keep up-to-date with our latest tips and ensure your winter drive is a smooth one.

This week’s tips, from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are sharing advice with drivers about making safe journeys home this Christmas. Roads across the UK are expected to be busier than usual; here are Mark’s top tips to ensure your journey home is as stress-free as possible.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are looking at how you can safely drive around crowded shopping areas this Christmas. Keep up-to-date with our latest advice to ensure your journey is as safe as possible.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are looking at how drivers can best prepare for driving in heavy rain. Keep up-to-date with our latest advice to ensure your journey is as safe as possible.

With the weather turning colder the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is offering its best advice to making sure the cold weather doesn’t catch you unaware.

This week the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) have tips for riding in wet weather from its director of standards, Mark Lewis.

This week’s tips, from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, look at how you can steer clear of deer-related traffic accidents. With over one million deer living wild in Britain today, here’s how you can best prepare for driving around them safely.

This week’s tips from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are looking at how drivers can travel safely to and around busy town centres during Diwali. Let’s make this a safe Diwali for the road.

This week’s tips, from the IAM’s director of standards, Mark Lewis, are offering advice to drivers about sharing the road safely with vulnerable road users. Here’s how you can better prepare yourself for driving around pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and mobility scooter users

This week’s tips from the IAM’s head of riding standards, Peter Rodger, are looking at how riders can best prepare for riding in the dark. Read our latest tips to ensure your journey is as safe as possible.

As British Summer Time comes to an end, this week’s tips from the IAM’s head of driving standards, Peter Rodger, are looking at what you can do to ensure your journey is as safe as possible in the dark. Here are our latest tips to see you through

This week’s tips from the IAM’s head of driving standards Peter Rodger are looking at how drivers can better cope with low sun and the effect of dazzle. Read our latest tips to help you through your journey.

This week, the IAM’s head of riding standards, Peter Rodger, is offering advice to riders going on long journeys. If you’re a keen motorcyclist who plans to go on a long journey this summer get prepared with our help and stay safe.

The IAM’s chief examiner, Peter Rodger, is sharing his advice on how to stay safe when travelling in wet weather. With some heavy showers expected this week, here are his tips to see you through your journey without incident.

Given the onset of cold weather more and more of us are experiencing misty car windows. The IAM’s chief examiner, Peter Rodger recommends drivers better prepare their cars before they travel.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning motorists about winter weather as part of its national campaign, #wheelsinwinter. As more bad weather is expected, the IAM is offering advice to drivers to ensure their cars are prepared for the cold season

Nobody wants to be left stranded on the hard shoulder, but if you don’t take care of your car there’s every possibility you will be. Here are my latest tips to guide you through looking after your car, because basic maintenance goes a long way

Flashing blue in your rear view
Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week he recommends top tips on how to respond when an emergency services vehicle is approaching

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, with the British summer looking less than promising, he is advising on driving abroad.

IAM’s head of riding standards and advanced biker, Peter Rodger, is advising on getting back on the road after the winter.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising motorists on preparing their cars for the cold season.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising on driving in the wetter and cooler weather of autumn.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, with the British summer looking less than promising, he is advising on driving abroad.

IAM’s head of riding standards and advanced biker, Peter Rodger, is advising on getting back on the road after the winter.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week he is advising motorists on driving in the dark on the motorway.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain's top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week he recommends top tips on how to respond when an emergency services vehicle is approaching.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain's top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week,as forecasters predict a tougher winter for 2012, he is advising motorists on preparing their cars for the cold season.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips and advice from our chief examiner, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising on checking under your bonnet.