Shropshire groups join together to improve road safety
With the number of deaths and serious injuries on the road are increasing, two local Institute of Advanced Motorist (IAM) groups are joining together to offer bike riders and car drivers inm Shropshire the best possible opportunity to protect themselves and their families.
For many years there have been two IAM groups across Shropshire; Telford and Wrekin Advanced Motorists and Shropshire Advanced Motorists. At their annual general meetings this week both groups agreed to join together to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for improved driving skills.
David Carless, Chair of Shropshire Advanced Motorists said: “We hope that our joint forces can make an even bigger impact in reducing vehicle accidents and the death and serious injury that often follows. The one group formed – to be called Shropshire Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclists will bring together expertise in advanced driving for motorcyclists and drivers of cars”.
Following the Telford Group’s AGM, Chairman Paul Collyer said: “Both groups have years of experience in delivering our special brand of assessment and driver development, and the joint group will work even harder to help reduce the number of vehicle accidents across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin”.
The merger of both groups comes at a time when recent research shows that drivers in rural areas, especially younger drivers are 37% more likely to be involved in a collision that leads to injury that their counterparts in urban areas.
President of the new merged group Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond said: “The Fire & Rescue Service, local authorities and the IAM have worked hard for many years to improve driver habits but the statistics are very concerning for everyone, especially parents of young drivers across our area. This new group will be able to offer all drivers, but our younger drivers and motorcyclists in particular, an opportunity to improve their driving skills and to stay alive”.
The new merged group will continue to offer Advanced Driver qualifications, advanced motorcycle skills as well as special courses for young motorists, part sponsored by the Fire & Rescue Service. For more information on any of their courses please contact David Carless 07809 444454.
