We make better drivers and riders

Happy New Year’s resolutions: Tips from IAM RoadSmart

Blog post posted on 02/01/19 |
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Advice

Every year, our motivation increases after Christmas and we spend the New Year planning our goals, such as getting fitter or eating more healthily, but many gym memberships feels unloved by February. Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards, suggests a few New Year resolutions that are easy to keep and will improve your driving and keep you safe throughout the year:

  • New year, new car. Think about the effect your car can have on the environment. Those short trips have the biggest impact so look into alternatives. If you are looking to get a new car, make sure you research its emissions and road tax costs. Choose one with the latest safety kit such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) because we all need a guardian angel at times.
  • Eyesight: The NHS suggests having an eye test every two years. It is your responsibility to ensure you’re fit to drive. Getting your eyes tested regularly will also show up any concerns at an early stage. You can check your vision yourself – can you read a number plate clearly from 20 metres?
  • Weather: Heed weather warnings all year around. If the weather is really bad, consider postponing your journey until a more appropriate time, or plan another method of transport if possible.
  • Year-round maintenance: Clean your windows, lights, mirrors and number plates regularly. You should spend around 10 minutes every week checking your vehicle’s fluid levels, tyre pressure, lights, tread depth and windscreen wipers.
  • Eco-driving: A planned drive is an economical drive. Having a good sense of your vehicle’s power and gears will save fuel, and makes it safer to drive. There is no point in racing up to a red traffic light!
  • Anticipate: Consider what the traffic and other people around you may do, especially at traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions. Observing, anticipating and planning should be at the heart of your driving.
  • Refuel: Be sure to keep an eye on your tank, especially when embarking upon long journeys. Refuelling early saves you the stress of trying to find a petrol station in an area you don’t know. Running out of fuel causes hundreds of motorway breakdowns every year.

Richard says: “The New year is a common time for people to reflect and evaluate their goals for the upcoming year. Why not begin by incorporating your driving behaviour into your list of resolutions for 2019? Why not resolve to make it better this year?”

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

ISDN broadcast lines available

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On Facebook: www.facebook.com/IAMRoadSmart

On Twitter: @IAMRoadSmart  

ENDS ALL