The IAM

IAM RoadSmart (aka The Institute of Advanced Motorists)

SLAM (South Lancashire Advanced Motorcyclists) is an IAM RoadSmart Group (No. 5230).  The following information relates to the IAM:

The aims and objectives of IAM RoadSmart (the Institute of Advanced Motorists) are very simple:-

• To improve the standard of driving (and riding) on the UK roads.
• The Advancement of Road Safety. The Administration of an Advanced Test.

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We try to match those aims and objectives by working in the following ways:-

We are a totally independent organisation.

We are therefore not “owned” or financially dependent on any commercial organisations who might have a vested interest in a narrow aspect of road safety. Our financial support comes from our c. 100,000 Members throughout the UK (and beyond) who pay a small annual Membership fee to retain their membership of IAM RoadSmart (having already passed the IAM RoadSmart’s Advanced Driving or Riding Test) and support what we do. Because of that support from people who have taken an interest in their own driving standard, we have a tremendous depth of practical knowledge available.

We can offer a “rounded” approach to Road Safety because we are not a “single issue” body.

Our staff have a wide background in Road Safety and the background of the Trustees of IAM RoadSmart cover many of the areas and emergency services vital to Road Safety. As a body, we are widely respected throughout the Road Safety industry because of our background, expertise, and experience. We are consulted (and advise) all the major players, including the Government, on all aspects of Road Safety because of our genuine interest and involvement in Road Safety.

IAM RoadSmart’s Advanced Driving Test is recognised and accredited by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

The Advanced Driving Test has been in existence since 1956 (and the Advanced Riding Test since 1976). Due to the existence of over 200 local IAM RoadSmart Affiliated Groups throughout the UK to date, all charitable organisations in their own right, the support for people wanting to prepare for and pass the IAM RoadSmart’s Advanced Test is unparalleled throughout the UK. While no attempt has been made to try and quantify that support but with that many local IAM RoadSmart Groups and an average of 100 people in each …. well, you can do the maths as easily as I can but it is a LOT of people. The support of those Groups mean that the Advanced Test is available and probably achievable for ANYBODY who has an interest in improving their driving skills.

By “improving their driving skills” we are not talking about those who want to enter motorsport but anybody who feels the way that drivers are left to their own devices once they have passed their “L” test is not good enough, or even that the nature of driving has changed since they passed their “L” Test, especially in todays unforgiving traffic and roads.

Those aims were set in the late 1950s and are still relevant today. Too many people are being killed or seriously injured on our roads each and every year and it is well known that the majority of accidents are caused by Driver Error. Educate the driver into a better way of driving and the accident rate will fall – it’s drivers that cause accidents, not cars. While educating drivers is not explicity one of IAM RoadSmart’s objectives, that is what we try to do (and do the best) because that meets all the other objectives.

In short, we guarantee to MAKE YOU A BETTER RIDER!

SLAM is an independent IAM RoadSmart Group – No. 5230 – and a registered charity – Reg. No. 1082460.  We have over 300 members and are one of the largest Motorcycle Groups in the North West.  Formed in 1997, every year we assist some 60-90 Associate Members of IAM RoadSmart reach the advanced test standard and pass their advanced motorcycle test, becoming Full IAM RoadSmart Members.