MARCH 2012
The Institute of Advanced Motorists Group briefing welcome
Welcome to Insight, the monthly newsletter produced for the IAM group network and its members. Driven to distraction by androids The pace of change is relentless. Car manufacturers are now refining new technology aimed at younger, tech savvy drivers. They’ll be able to check Facebook, play internet radio, book concert tickets and check traffic information simply by plugging their phones into the dashboard. It’s all part of the vast smartphone market that’s placed computer and internet access into the pockets of millions. There’s no question that mobile phones have saved many lives. Being able to call the emergency services immediately from the scene of a crash is a life-saver. But they also bring a unique set of hazards. The IAM’s pioneering research into smartphone use while driving highlighted this in February. Tests using a driving simulator showed that using a smartphone for social networking while driving is more dangerous than driving while under the influence of alcohol or cannabis. Despite the risk, eight per cent of all drivers – and 24 per cent of 17-24 year old drivers – admit to using
Driven to distraction by androids
a smartphone for email and social networking while driving. Here are some examples of drivers using twitter on the move. If you search twitter for tweeting and driving you’ll find many, many more. Mz_NikkiSweets Driving and tweeting is soooo dangerous I should quit lol Dj_Prest texting and driving may be illegal, but they cant stop us from tweeting and driving
got so much media coverage on our research, including national radio and television. In case you missed it the BBC’s story is still available by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17228938. And with so much technology and an increasing amount of internet access being introduced into cars, I wonder if we are now approaching the point where the dashboard itself is becoming a major in-car distraction. Clearly the government and the industry need to think seriously about all technology that takes our eyes and our thoughts off the road.
@MartyGuilfoyle Taking off ur hoody while driving is just as hard as tweeting while driving Smartphones are clearly a problem and that’s why I was pleased that we
IMI centre accreditation
QUALITY STANDARDS
Simon Best Chief executive ceo@iam.org.uk
SPRING FORUMS
www.iam.org.uk Insight APRIL 2012
MAILING LISTS
MARCH 2012 IMI
Quality standards
A key focus for the IAM is quality standards, and improving the whole experience of dealing with us for potential, associates and existing members. We recognise that IAM part-time and voluntary supporters are stretched to deliver field service excellence on top of everything else they do, but as such it can be difficult to ensure that the way we administer Skill for Life at a local level is consistent. We recognise that the groups deserve greater support from IAM Chiswick in doing this.
As you know we have been in a period of consultation over introducing accredited observer qualifications. The IAM’s IMI centre accreditation is now complete, and a new system of observer qualification will be piloted in regions two and six, from May 2012. This won’t affect the other regions, who should continue with the current observer and senior observer assessments. We will update you of the progress of this scheme in due course. Those in regions two and six will be contacted soon.
With this in mind, in January the IAM started a pilot scheme in region two to improve the IAM’s engagement with the group network. By having people dedicated to working more closely with the groups, we hope to increase customer satisfaction by ensuring a greater level of consistency across the administration of Skill for Life at group level. In turn we envisage this will help increase Skill for Life sales at a local level.
There is one particularly important change to be aware of. We are now actively assigning all associates that buy Skill for Life on the website to a group, instead of giving them a list to choose from. The group will also be alerted to the existence of their new associate. We hope that this will reduce the numbers who drop-out between buying Skill for Life, and meeting the group. has accepted the role of regional operations manager.
The pilot scheme will run throughout 2012 in region two, where two new full-time roles have been created: a regional quality manager and a regional operations manager. Trevor Dickenson, (pictured) previously a staff examiner, was appointed as regional quality manager and Mark Trimmer, former district commander of Sussex Police,
An IAM member, Mark is also a Police Class One advanced driver. He is experienced in working with voluntary organisations as well as private sector companies, so he is able to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences. We look forward to him joining us on 2 April.
group info mailing list. The list on the old email system (Mailman) has been moved to the new central MRM based group mailing system, to ensure
lists stay up to date. If you were on the original list, you will be added automatically to the new list, and there is no need to take any action.
SPRING FORUMS The regional spring forums start again this month, with myself, our operations director Pat Doughty, chief examiner Peter Rodger and head of field operations Dave Shenton (left of picture) coming out to all the regions between now and May. We are all looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible at these events, and welcome your ideas and feedback. These meetings are your chance to have your say on what we are doing, and what could be improved in your region.
MAILING LISTS We appreciate there was some confusion caused by a recent email some of you have received, about being unsubscribed from the IAM
For more information on Insight, please contact the IAM press office, email: press office@iam.org.uk phone: 020 8996 9777 www.iam.org.uk Insight MARCH 2012