Press releases

Get your MOT done as soon as you can to avoid leaving your safety to chance, is the message from IAM RoadSmart, as a new poll indicates one in seven people plan to make full use of the six-month Coronavirus (COVID-19) MOT extension. With thousands of vehicles passing their MOT test due date every day, the charity has expressed concern that a minority of drivers and riders are putting their own and other people’s lives at risk by putting off the annual expert check on their vehicle’s fitness for the road.

A Coalition of Motorcycling Organisations including IAM RoadSmart have published their updated COVID 19 Riding Guidelines for motorcyclists. Including clear advice on group riding now that lockdown restrictions are relaxing, the guidelines - written with IAM RoadSmart Head of Driving & Riding Standards Richard Gladman as one of the lead authors - allow motorcyclists to maintain their mental well-being by riding their bikes whenever they can legally and safely, whilst complying at all times with Government guidelines. Richard said: Richard said: “As the COVID restrictions begin to relax it is important we remember how close we could be to further lockdown restrictions if the infection rate escalates. We as motorcyclists are duty bound to help in any way we can, the relaxation has allowed us to gather in small groups as long as we adhere to social distancing rules."

IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s largest independent road safety organisation, is saying a big thank you to its amazing volunteers during Volunteers’ Week 2020 (1-7 June). Tony Greenidge, Interim Chief Executive Officer, is paying tribute to the thousands of active volunteers who, through their work in local communities across the country, make a significant contribution towards IAM RoadSmart’s charitable mission to reduce the number of people killed and injured on roads in the UK.

IAM RoadSmart is pleased to announce that motorcycle observed rides can resume from Monday 15 June, in England following stoppages due to Coronavirus travel restrictions. This decision has been taken in line with the recent government announcement that non-essential shops can re-open from this date in England and our view that this opens the way for non-essential trips. Groups in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should continue to follow the rules as they apply in their nation.

IAM RoadSmart has appointed a new trustee, experienced finance and organisational performance senior leader, Jeff Willcocks. Jeff, who lives in Hertfordshire, is currently Group Finance Director and Deputy CEO of The Professional Monitor Company. He brings more than 20 years’ experience of managing and improving organisational performance. He joins existing trustees: Dr Gina Bromage, Dr Catherine Lloyd, Elizabeth Coyle-Camp, Nick Lomas, John Jenkins, Nick Stein and Stuart Donald, QPM under the leadership of recently appointed chairman Derek McMullan and interim chief executive officer Tony Greenidge.

A guide to help IAM RoadSmart volunteer observers adapt their driving and riding coaching to the different neurodiversity needs and learning styles of people who take their Advanced Driver or Rider course has been published. The UK’s largest independent road safety charity teamed up with IAM RoadSmart member and training specialist Denis McCann to produce the guide, which is being made available to all 182 groups nationwide from this month (May). Neurodiversity is the recognition of people who think differently or have a brain chemistry that means their brains work differently. This can include conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autism and Asperger’s, Tourette’s and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others.

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.