Six top tips to be a better driver (From Daily Echo)

Six top tips to be a better driver

3:29pm Friday 31st December 2010 in Cars

THE INSTITUTE of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is encouraging motorists to make better driving a New Year’s resolution for 2010.

Peter Rodger, IAM chief examiner, said: “Continuous personal development is often top of the mind at this time of year, but our skill as a driver, rider or cyclist can get taken for granted. Whichever way you travel, make doing it more safely and efficiently your goal for the new year:”

1. Research has found nearly half of women and more than a third of men feel their confidence would be boosted by taking an advanced driving course. Skill for Life, the course for which the IAM is most famously known, is available at £139 for car drivers and motorcyclists, and is a great way of improving confidence, safety, and even gaining reduced insurance premiums.

2. The Department of Health recommends people should take part in moderately intensive activity lasting 30 minutes at least five days a week. Cycling is a great candidate for this, but if you don’t yet feel confident getting out and about on your bike, take a look at the IAM’s How To Be A Better Cyclist, or take some training, with three courses to suit all levels of riding experience.

3. Motorcycling is fun and offers a sense of freedom not found in a car, but it is also, potentially, a lot more dangerous. For new riders of sub-125cc motorcycles and scooters, Road Rider Plus is a half-day training assessment with a qualified, professional MCITA trainer, designed to build up your experience post CBT, but pre-test.

4. Gaining experience through education is the way forward. The IAM would like to see extra training made compulsory but, in the meantime, why not try Momentum, a new young driver product coming from the IAM. The programme consists of an online assessment which can be completed in your own home, and a 60 minute on-road, general assessment by a qualified IAM examiner.

5. Enjoying safe driving into old age is the key to freedom and access to facilities so there has never been a better time to try Drive Check 55, the IAM assessment for the more mature driver.

6. Get out and practise. Research shows women living with a partner are more likely to let them take the wheel on long journeys together, and are also less confident. Women are quite likely to be left as the primary driver later in life, so take the initiative now, and gain as much experience and confidence as possible.