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IAM 50 years old this year
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| One of Britain's few independent motoring organisations is now 50 years old, and is holding a number of special events across the country to celebrate that fact. While many motoring groups have fallen by the wayside, or have become profit making companies, the IAM continues to forge its own route in a bid to improve driving standards. | |
| The IAM has a bold new plan which includes the objective of 'connecting' with at least 10% of all road users. Frankly, it's surprising that the organisation hasn't yet done this, though we know that's not the fault of the IAM, its council or its members. The truth is, the majority of road users simply don't see the benefit of belonging to the IAM, and as a non-profit making organisation, it simply doesn't have the money to spend advertising its cause. | | | Before you turn off, please just read a little more about the objectives of this organisation, and the work that it does. You may have the misconception that its boring, but before you get carried away with that idea, you should know that most people who learn to pass the IAM test find that afterwards driving is much more enjoyable and rewarding than it was before they took advantage of what the IAM has to offer. | | | You should also know, that much of the work of the IAM is carried out by volunteers. People who have passed the test give up their own time to promote the organisation, to help others to pass the test; for the most part, they do this because they have discovered the huge benefits that passing your IAM test can bring. On one level we're talking about reduced insurance premiums, reduced wear and tear on your vehicle, and massively reduced chances of being involved in a serious, or even fatal accident. But that stuff doesn't really sell, so the important message that the IAM are trying to get across is that you will enjoy driving your car (or riding your motorbike, or driving your commercial vehicle) more once you have passed the test. And this is fact not fiction. | | | So if you're put off getting in touch with the IAM because you have the
misconception that it might be boring, think again; it may well be for you. I've spoken to people who recently passed their test and every one of them has said that it's put the fun back into driving. | | | Or if you're frightend that you might find it too difficult, think again. IAM observers (the people who give up their time to help others pass the test) tell me that it's very rare to find anyone who can't pass; I spoke recently to one observer who has been helping others to pass for over 25 years now and he's come across only a handful of people who he thought wouldn't be able to pass the test. It's not some mysterious skill that's the preserve of the elite few. | | | Or if you think you're already a great driver and have nothing more to learn, then you should definitely think again; there's little doubt that you're dangerously overconfident in your abilities, and the IAM could very likely give you the skills you need to avoid becoming another unfortunate road safety statistic. | | | Most IAM groups offer free assesment drives; these simply involve you going out in your car with someone who has already passed their test. They'll just observe how you drive and at then give you an indication of how much work you need to put in to pass the test. Even if you walk away at this point you will have gained a few pointers on how you can improve your driving and reduce the chances of being involved in an accident. However, if you find the experience useful, you can pay a small admin fee to join the group, and that will entitle you to more free observation sessions which will lead to a significant improvement in your enjoyment of driving, and possibly to you passing your test. | | | What have you got to lose? | |
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Other Information
| A new Mini Cooper S will be seen by the public for the first time at the Paris Motor show in September 2006. | |
| Ford's new Ka is due to arrive in the UK in 2008, and early indications are that it will be a popular new release. | |
| Toyota are said to be developing mind reading devices for inclusion in future models of their cars, and these will be used to adapt your car's settings according to how you are feeling. | | | But don't expect to your Celica, MR2, Avensis or Corolla adjusting itself to your mood any time soon. | |
| Hyundai have facelifted their popular Coupe once again, and it looks good. | | | The 'Korean Ferrari' has changed shape several times in its life and not always to the customer's liking. However, this latest revision, which will be on sale towards the end of 2006 looks great; the lines are leaner and meaner with a relatively agressive look from the front. | |
| Yet another peformance car built on the Golf platform will be available from early 2007 in the shape of the incredible Audi S3. | |
| A Californian Company (Tesla Motors) have developed a 100% electric version of the Lotus Elise with input from the Norfolk company. And before sports car enthusiasts switch off, thinking that electric cars are slow and boring, the new car is claimed to have a 0-60 time of about 4 seconds! | |
| UK Performance specialists Ralliart have released a 366bhp variant of the current Mitsubushi Lancer Evo. | |
| VW have stepped up the ante in the value for money stakes with their Blue Motion Polo; the new model is capable of over 72mpg and has a C02 rating of 103g/Km. | |
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