We make better drivers and riders

The school run needn’t be a marathon: tips from IAM RoadSmart

Blog post posted on 07/01/20 |
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Advice

Now the festivities are over, it’s time to get back to the daily commute – and with it, the dreaded school run!

This week’s tips, provided by IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman offers advice on how to manage the term-time road rush better.

  • Make sure everyone is seated correctly. If you use child or booster seats, make sure they are fit for purpose and correctly secured. Check out Good Egg for some top tips: http://www.goodeggcarsafety.com/
  • Pack for success. Dependent on the age of your little ones, pack some healthy treats to distract them and keep them engaged, even on a short journey
  • Leave enough time. Setting off for school can be a frustrating and hurried experience. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to get ready in the morning, as a half-eaten breakfast can put both you and your child in the wrong frame of mind for the day ahead
  • It’s not a race. In many areas with schools, the guide is ‘20’s plenty.’ Remember that this is a limit, not a target. Remember to abide by the school crossing patrol, you’ll probably receive a friendly wave for your assistance
  • Start them while they’re young. Teach your children about road safety so they know how to behave around traffic. Setting a good example as a driver will create a lasting impression when they learn to drive
  • Parking in a safe place and walking the last few metres will not just help with congestion, it will also allow you to teach them the right way to cross a road – which is look right and left, and then right again. This could potentially save a life

Richard said: “Traffic always picks up again after the school holidays so your journey will take longer and potentially be more stressful. Make sure the car is fuelled up and ready for the stop-start traffic so you have one less thing to worry about. Be vigilant around schools as there will be children milling around, possibly not being aware you are there.”

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

Follow us:

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/IAMRoadSmart

On Twitter: @IAMRoadSmart   

ENDS ALL