Surprised at BHS

[Shantara]

I wrote a letter to the institute of advanced motorists (IAM) about road safety for horses and if they'd possibly feature it in their magazine. They said they loved the letter and are forwarding it on to the correct people for a possible feature.

Part of the email read:
"Thank you for your email.
You raise very important points about safety of horse riders and horses. We did raise awareness about this during our summer driving campaign. In the past we have tried working with the British Horses society but haven’t had much luck."

You would have thought BHS would want to work with IAM to help raise awareness :O I can't think of any reason not to!!

 

[pottamus]

Not at all surprised - we have tried to work with them on an important access issue before and they would not even consider it!!

 

[pip6]

Not surprised, but then how big an audience will it reach? Wouldn't the BHS be better focusing on less educated drivers? The members of IAM will already have a very good idea on dealing with horse encounters, it's the general public who are more likely to have had no further training since they sat their test aged 17 *** decades ago.

Having been an ADI for quite a time now, I do find it frustrating that kids (& now more young adults post uni) pass their test & think it means their 'good' drivers. There is just so much they don't know. Then there's the other end of the spectrum who have had their bad habits so long they don't even recognise them as such. For example, I drive a dual carriageway every day, go down a hill, speed camera at the bottom. I drive at 60mph to conserve fuel. Every day, drivers go past me usually 80+ then slam on the brakes in front of me (after they have overtaken me) because of the camera, causing me to brake to about 55mph. The number of drivers who don't even know the national speed limit on a dual carriageway is astounding. Every kid I teach I tell them never to assume someone would do something because it is obviously stupid/illegal/dangerous etc, because one day they will meet someone who will do it. Then don't get me started on some international licence holders. One lady who asked for lessons had a full licence from her country which entitled her to drive over here, without L-plates & alone for a year. I asked her driving experience (I often taught foreign licence holders for when they had to take gb test), to find out she couldn't drive a car. Her licence was genuine, her dad had bought it by taking money to the local test centre in her home country.

Sorry for rant, find general level of driving / road knowledge in this country rather wanting & no political will to do anything about it.

 

[OWLIE185]

I am shocked that in both the above instances the BHS did not respond.
If you could let me know who was contacted at BHS H.Q. then I will be happy to investigate.

 

[Shantara]

I am shocked that in both the above instances the BHS did not respond.
If you could let me know who was contacted at BHS H.Q. then I will be happy to investigate.

I'm afraid I don't know and I'm not sure if they'd let me know...if I can find out I will let you know, though

 

[mtj]

Not surprised, but then how big an audience will it reach? Wouldn't the BHS be better focusing on less educated drivers? The members of IAM will already have a very good idea on dealing with horse encounters, it's the general public who are more likely to have had no further training since they sat their test aged 17 *** decades ago.

Having been an ADI for quite a time now, I do find it frustrating that kids (& now more young adults post uni) pass their test & think it means their 'good' drivers. There is just so much they don't know. Then there's the other end of the spectrum who have had their bad habits so long they don't even recognise them as such. For example, I drive a dual carriageway every day, go down a hill, speed camera at the bottom. I drive at 60mph to conserve fuel. Every day, drivers go past me usually 80+ then slam on the brakes in front of me (after they have overtaken me) because of the camera, causing me to brake to about 55mph. The number of drivers who don't even know the national speed limit on a dual carriageway is astounding. Every kid I teach I tell them never to assume someone would do something because it is obviously stupid/illegal/dangerous etc, because one day they will meet someone who will do it. Then don't get me started on some international licence holders. One lady who asked for lessons had a full licence from her country which entitled her to drive over here, without L-plates & alone for a year. I asked her driving experience (I often taught foreign licence holders for when they had to take gb test), to find out she couldn't drive a car. Her licence was genuine, her dad had bought it by taking money to the local test centre in her home country.

Sorry for rant, find general level of driving / road knowledge in this country rather wanting & no political will to do anything about it.

Have to plead guilty to the dual carriageway speed. Only realised I could do 70 on a speed awareness course! N.B. got caught on an A road, not in town - very careful in built up areas, near schools etc.

 

[ROG]

I have been informed that an officer of the IAM sits on some sort of committee etc of the BHS so perhaps finding out who that is may get this issue moving

 

[Rowreach]

I am shocked that in both the above instances the BHS did not respond.
If you could let me know who was contacted at BHS H.Q. then I will be happy to investigate.

I am surprised too, but re the road safety aspect, I wonder if the enquiry was made in the days when road safety came under the Safety Department?

 

[BHS_official]

In response to the original post, we are happy to confirm we have an excellent working relationship with the IAM and Peter Rodger (Chief Examiner and Driving Adviser) in particular. We are actively engaged with the IAM; representatives attend meetings of our Safety Committee and the IAM campaigns on relevant issues using our collective knowledge and input, including when issuing advice earlier this year. Peter is also ‘more than happy’ to make this point.

If anyone has questions regarding our work in this area, they are welcome to contact Sheila Hardy (Senior Executive, Safety) for more information at s.hardy@bhs.org.uk.