Advanced Motoring
Motoring Organisations
The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)
try to raise the standard of driving by having an "Advanced" driving
test. This costs £139 to buy a "Skill For Life", and on passing
you become an IAM member. There are many benefits including reduced
insurance quotes and local groups who organise days out to skid pans
and driving events
etc. There is also a quarterly newsletter called "Milestones". (New
style Autumn 2010 edition out now).
Where to find out more? The Institute of Advanced Motorists, IAM House, 510 Chiswick High Road, LONDON W4 5RG, United Kingdom. Tel: 020 8996 9600, Fax: 020 8996 9601 (24 Hour).
I joined the IAM in 1976
There is a spin off group run by an IAM member who has an advanced driving forum which is open to anybody - now free again. Advanced driving forum.
The Association of British Drivers campaign
for us hard-done by motorists. They are a non profitable organisation
frequently called upon by the media.
Motoring News
September 2010 HMGov announce the hated M4 Bus Lane will be removed.
August 2010 Luton, Bedfordshire home of Vauxhall has most side streets hacked down to 20 mph.
30 Sept 2009 The Association of British Drivers have started a campaign HERE. Please, help us to get the UK moving again.
3 April 2009 Government announce new regulations for Cowboy Wheel Clampers.
9 March 2009 Government plan to reduce all country roads speed limits to 50MPH. Gov response HERE. Sept 2009
1 Jan 2009 IAM huge increase in subscription fees from £17.50 to an alarming £28. How can they justify this?
12 December 2008 The people of Manchester vote to reject Congestion Charging.
23 Oct 2008, At Last! - Swindon sees sense and dumps Speed Cameras.
8 July 2008 proposed £25 congestion charge increase scrapped. Nice one Boris!
31 March 2008. Changes in Parking Regulations. Road Traffic Act 1991 (part6). Pay up to £120 in London!
March 2008 Car Share lanes idea on M1 Motorway abandoned
Oops, now the Government try the road charging debate again. About Turn!
17 October 2007 Happiness turns to dispair as Government abandon road charging and plan 20mph speed limits. Lewisham are first to go.
27 July 2007 Manchester Congestion Charging debate.
Road Charging: See Peter Roberts (The Travel Tax guy) new website Drivers Alliance.
27 Feb 2007. The fine for using a mobile phone whilst driving increases from £30 to £60 plus three penalty points on your license. See here.
The Central London Congestion Charging zone will expand westward from 19th February 2007. Once the extended scheme comes into operation, the charging hours within the zone will be shortened by 30 minutes from 7:00 am to 6.30pm to 7.00am to 6.00pm.
Motoring Miscellaneous
Just got a CTEK XS3600 Battery charger, supposidly "The Smartest Battery Charger in the World". I'll see if it can recover my faulty battery. Update Yes it did!. The clever unit changes it's mode during the charge cycle. It charges at full current right up to maximum voltage whereupon the charger returns to zero. Charging starts up again immediately and keeps on in this way by sending pulses of energy to the battery. This can recover slightly Sulphated batteries. Very impressed. It took three days though. A review is here.