We make better drivers and riders

A ‘Thumbs Up’ for sharing with other road users

Blog post posted on 07/08/18 |
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Advice

To align with our ‘Thumbs Up For Great Driving and Riding’ month, our head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, has put together six tips on how to share the road with other road users.

  • Look ahead and predict what other road users may be doing. Be ready to react and change your speed if necessary. For example, if a pedestrian is standing between two busy lanes of traffic you may be thinking: “You shouldn’t have crossed there.” Or you could be sympathetic of the fact they’re stranded and allow them to cross if you can do it safely. Whatever the reason, they’re vulnerable and you have the power to help them

  • Try to see the world through the eyes of others and help them, without them even realising it. If we all did this, it might even catch on. Giving a little more space or a bit of extra time will make a difference

  • Give way. A large vehicle, such as an HGV or a bus, will need extra room when turning. Give them the room they need to make them feel safe and comfortable when they manoeuvre their vehicle

  • Allow extra room. Motorcyclists can sometimes been seen filtering through traffic. Why not aid them by moving over slightly to allow them to pass you with ease

  • Know when to overtake. The sun is out which means more cyclists will be on the road. Be patient and overtake when the time is right, if you have to follow for a while then leave a sensible space. Make sure your vision ahead is clear and will remain so for enough time to complete the pass. Taking those extra few seconds to overtake carefully rather than rushing could be the difference between getting to your destination safely and being involved in a collision
  • Be respectful when passing horses; make sure you give the rider enough space when passing them. We recommend at least a car’s width and make sure this is done slowly a startled horse may be unpredictable – remember always pass “slow and wide”

Richard says: “Our behaviour towards others often changes when driving. Polite individuals can become territorial monsters fighting for a small space that may take seconds off a journey; this competitive attitude can ramp up stress levels.  Remember, until you walk – or in this case drive – a mile in another man’s shoes, you won’t appreciate that driving is much better if we share nicely.  A big ‘Thumbs Up’ to enjoying the sunshine and appreciating the polite waves and smiles you can now collect on your journey.”  

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.      Richard Gladman is IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards.

2.      IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website www.iamroadsmart.com

To find out the name of your own local IAM RoadSmart group please visit: https://wwwiamroadsmart.com/local-groups

Media contacts:

Further information from:

IAM RoadSmart press office – 020 8996 9777

press.office@iam.org.uk / www.iamroadsmart.com

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ENDS ALL