Online Reporter
The Herald, 19 March 1993
MORE companies and individual owners of vehicles are now using the services of the Institute of Advanced Motorists to improve driving standards.
The chairman of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Mr Brian Connolly, said in an interview that in recent years in Britain and South Africa, fleet operators and companies with staff ears had discovered the advantages of sending their drivers for the IAM advanced driving tests.
“This has not only improved driving skills, but saved the vehicle owners a lot of money as a result of better treatment and longer life of vehicles.” Mr Connolly said more companies and vehicle owners in Zimbabwe were sending their drivers for the tests.
The institute’s test is based on the system of driving evolved from the syllabus used by the London Metropolitan Police driving school at Hendon, near London. The test can be taken only by a licensed driver with at least a year’s experience. It is not difficult and there are no tricks employed by the examiners. Briefly, it enables a driver to place the vehicle in the right place, at the right speed, in the right gear at the right time, he said.
The motto of the IAM is “Skill with Responsibility”. Candidates for the test are given one or more trial runs by a member of a panel of IAM volunteers, who will point out errors and omissions and other driving faults and give the candidate time to correct them. The dummy runs are free, said Mr Connolly.
When the candidate is considered ready, he or she takes the test with an IAM examiner. This costs $30, and a candidate who passes and then pays the first annual subscription of $10 becomes a member of the institute.
“An advanced motorist is one who is above average, who concentrates all the time at the wheel, who has complete control of the vehicle at all speeds and in all circumstances, who drives safely and with courtesy.
Lessons for today:
- The article highlights several important lessons about driving culture, road safety, and professional responsibility. Companies in Britain, South Africa, and Zimbabwe discovered that sending drivers for advanced motoring tests led to improved driving skills, reduced vehicle damage, longer vehicle lifespan.
- The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) follows the philosophy of “Skill with Responsibility”, meaning being aware of surroundings, controlling the vehicle in all conditions and driving courteously and safely.
- Good driving is not just about passing a test, it’s about continuous awareness and discipline. Candidates are given free trial runs with trained volunteers who point out mistakes and help them correct them.
- Today’s Defensive Driving has the same approach. Modern defensive driving is based on the same principles as the IAM advanced driving system. Both advanced driving (IAM) and defensive driving focus on anticipating hazards before they happen.
- IAM focuses on concentration and control, while defensive driving trains drivers to scan the road, prepare for the unexpected and maintain safe distances. These are essentially the same skills presented differently.
