Press Releases

Plans to bring forward the national trial of e-scooters are a once in a lifetime opportunity to make positive changes to transport infrastructure as we emerge from the current crisis, according to IAM RoadSmart. Results from a survey into attitudes towards e-scooters have highlighted a growing acceptance of e-scooters as a mode of transport. And while there are still important road safety questions to be answered, two thirds of those who responded are supportive of e-scooters’ wider use, despite the limited experience people have of using them.

IAM RoadSmart, along with a coalition of other organisations, have joined the Motorcycle Action Group in calling Government to recognise the role of motorcycling in the UK during the Coronavirus. The charity has also endorsed MAG's white paper. Neil Greig, Policy & Research Director for IAM RoadSmart said: “IAM RoadSmart strongly support the key role of motorcycling in helping to get everyone around safely and in kick starting the economy as the Covid19 crisis reduces. It offers a winning combination of instant social distancing and cheap and efficient travel."

As Coronavirus travel restrictions begin to ease, IAM RoadSmart is reminding drivers to refocus on the road after weeks spent relying on screens and phones to keep in touch with family, friends and work colleagues. The UK’s largest independent road safety charity is concerned that driver distraction from mobile phones could escalate because good driver behaviour habits may have been lost during the Coronavirus lockdown. The use of mobile phones while driving, for texting, emailing or to use social media, is seen as one of the biggest threats to road safety for nine out of 10 motorists, according to IAM RoadSmart’s annual Driving Safety Culture Survey.

As the Government’s phased reduction of the current Coronavirus restrictions come into effect in England today (Wednesday 13 May), Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart Head of Driving & Riding Standards, offers some common-sense tips to those getting back on the road for work, for essential journeys or on permitted leisure trips, after staying at home for an extended period.

IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, has paid tribute to former chairman, Alistair Cheyne OBE, who has died after a long battle with cancer.

Tony Greenidge has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of IAM RoadSmart, with immediate effect. Currently IAM RoadSmart’s Business Development Director, his first challenge will be to lead the UK’s largest independent road safety charity out of the current Coronavirus lockdown, when Government advice allows. Tony replaces Mike Quinton, who announced in March he would be stepping down as Chief Executive, after two years in the role.

As the period of lockdown in the UK continues for at least another three weeks, IAM RoadSmart has introduced a programme of e-learning options for businesses that will help ensure fleet drivers and employees who drive for work are kept up-to-date with the latest legislation. CHOICES provides drivers who may be off the road the opportunity to test their knowledge, develop new skills and learn advanced driving techniques.

IAM RoadSmart is praising police forces for continuing to focus on those who risk their own and other people’s lives by breaking speed limits on roads in the UK during the Coronavirus lockdown. The charity has expressed its shock and disappointment at the selfish and criminal speeding behaviour being reported by police forces across the country in recent weeks.

With the weather expected to be fine across many parts of the country for the weekend, IAM RoadSmart is urging people to resist the temptation to take to the roads for anything other than essential journeys for food, health reasons or work that cannot be done from home.

IAM RoadSmart has expressed concern over new figures released today that show the number of potholes repaired by local authorities last year fell by a fifth.

IAM RoadSmart is reminding drivers and riders to stay alert to children walking or playing near roads without supervision in the coming weeks.

A blanket ban on pavement parking could lead to a need for thousands of new car parking spaces that towns and cities are simply not equipped to provide, warns IAM RoadSmart.

The long awaited ‘swift review’ of smart motorways has shown that these new types of motorway are safer than traditional motorways in most ways, but not all.

IAM RoadSmart has strongly welcomed today’s (11 March) £2.5 billion shot-in-the-arm for filling the huge backlog of potholes - but warns a long-term plan is urgently needed to cure the problem for good.

IAM RoadSmart has teamed up with British Touring Car champions Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan to create two special Skills Day events that are a must for motorsport fans.

The UK’s biggest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has appointed four new trustees keen to use their wealth of knowledge and experience to help the organisation make UK roads even safer.

IAM RoadSmart is preparing for an electric future by developing a programme of electric vehicle ‘training for trainers’ days. IAM RoadSmart plans to offer all group officials and observers detailed sessions to help them understand the differences between electric vehicles and petrol, diesel and hybrid cars.

IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s biggest independent road safety charity, welcomes the move to replace written scenarios in the theory part of the driving test with video clips, saying it is an important step forward for road safety.