Tips and Blogs

With the hot weather almost certain to return before summer is out, Area Service Delivery Manager Pete Doherty reminds us of the importance of good hydration - particularly for motorcyclists, when ‘breathable summer biking kit’ still means everything from helmet to boots, gloves and a plethora of elbow, knee, shoulder and back armour. His top tips for staying hydrated which, while particularly relevant for motorcyclists in relevant safety gear, applies to both bike riders and car drivers.

Temperatures across the UK have soared to 30 degrees and more this week, and as Coronavirus restrictions begin to be relaxed across the UK, more people are heading out on the road for day trips and to visit friends and family. Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart Head of Driving & Riding Standards, offers his top tips to staying safe behind the wheel in the hot weather.

New powers have been granted to local councils to enforce cycle lanes – but do you know your road markings? Ignorance of the law is no defence, so with new bicycle facilities popping up all over our towns and cities at the moment, as cycling is encouraged to ease pressure on public transport during the Coronavirus pandemic, it is now more important than ever to know where and when you can park. Cars or motorcycles illegally parked on mandatory cycle lanes can force cyclists to deviate from their path and put them at risk of conflict with passing vehicles. From today (22 June 2020) councils can use CCTV vans to record offences. Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart’s Director of Policy and Research, therefore offers some top tips to help brush up your knowledge and ensure you know the rules of the road around cycle lanes and where you are allowed to park.

With the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings for heavy rain, thunder storms and possible floods across the country, Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart head of driving and riding standards offers tips for driving in the wet.

With a phased return to school for primary school pupils due to begin in England next week following Coronavirus restrictions, IAM RoadSmart is reminding parents, carers, drivers and riders to be on full alert in the vicinity of schools. With drop-off and collection arrangements likely to be staggered and some people only just returning to driving or riding after an extended period away from the roads, the need for vigilance around schools will be essential over the coming weeks. Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s Head of Driving and Riding Standards has some advice on how to make sure it’s as safe as possible for all road users.

The year is 1979 and we are just about to enter the 80s, technology and innovation is running rampant. Sir Clive Sinclair is leading a generation of young people into the world of computers with the ZX80, soon to be followed by the ZX81 with its massive 1K of built in memory.

Having just returned from a long weekend visiting relatives in Spain, here are my reflections and top tips for anyone contemplating driving a hire car on the continent this summer.

Having recently become an Advanced Driver (did I mention I got a F1RST) my attentions have now turned to applying the same developments to my riding skills.

We all know that new cars these days are bristling with new technologies aimed at keeping us, and other road users, safe.

I recently attended the Young Driver Focus event at the RAC Club in London with our CEO Mike Quinton - it was my first time going to this event so I didn’t know what to expect, but the 15 or so presentations in the day certainly kept me on my toes.