CHAIRMAN’S CHATTER

Firstly, we’re sorry that quite some time has passed since our last Newsletter.  It has been a busy time for Stockport Group, especially with organizing our AGM and then having to rearrange it for a later date.
 

We would like to say a big thank you to those of you who joined the Zoom AGM, which we (the Committee) thought went very well with a total of fifteen Group Members attending. Following the voting towards the end of the meeting I am pleased to have been voted in as Chair and that my fellow committee colleagues have also been voted to remain as committee members.

SEEING . . .

Can you read a vehicle number plate from 20 metres? (Highway Code Rule 92)

 
Many of you will already be aware that all Observed Drives carried out by Stockport Group Observers begin with this basic eyesight test whatever the age of the driver / associate might be. Now, did you know that this autumn the government is expected to deliver the first Road Safety Strategy in a decade, and that amongst the proposed changes it is likely that drivers over the age of 70 could face losing their driving licence if they fail their triennial eyesight test?
 

This has partly come about following a report presented to the Department of Transport by HM Coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, after carrying out inquests in which four pedestrians were killed in three separate incidents after being struck by cars driven by older drivers who had failed to report their failing eyesight to the DVLA. 

Dr Adeley said, “The current system for ensuring drivers meet the visual legal standards is ineffective, unsafe and unfit to meet the needs of society”.

Nicholas Lyes (IAMRS Director of Policy and Standards) agreed with such a view and said, “While many drivers over 70 are perfectly safe and competent, health issues and confidence can have an impact on driving abilities, so it is sensible to review whether changes need to be made”.

STOPPING . . .

Apparently the DVSA is trialling a new test regime at 20 locations where the number of tests in which an emergency stop will be demanded could be reduced to just one in every seven. 

The emergency stop has been part of the UK driving test since its inception in 1935.
 

Back then, of course, being able to stop a vehicle safely with the feeble brakes and skinny tyres of the day was a potential life saver. However, nowadays, with nearly all modern cars having anti-lock braking (ABS) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) it may mean drivers no longer need to master their skills to stop quickly. This will be the first time the emergency stop part of the test has been reviewed since ABS became mandatory on new cars in 2004.

THANK YOU . . .

...for continuing to be members of IAM RoadSmart and of Stockport Advanced Motorists, and especially for continuing to uphold and demonstrate the high standards of Advanced Motorists.
We will always be pleased to hear from you with your comments and opinions, and perhaps a suitable article or short piece for our newsletter?
If yes, then please email me and we’ll include it as soon as we can.
Hopefully we’ll be seeing you at one of our occasional guest or social evenings.   Please keep safe, and always use the System of Car Control.

Ray.