An IAM Group exists for the benefit of the general public through the promotion of improvement in the standard of driving and the advancement of road safety.
The Edinburgh & District Group achieves this aim through the several initiatives.
Our Prime objective is to make a positive contribution to road safety through improving driving standards. To achieve this aim we run courses to allow motorists who wish to pass the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Test and become Members of the IAM. These courses are run in conjunction with the Skill for Life package promoted by the IAM.
Secondly we actively promote the IAM locally and become involved in road safety related events and promotions within our area. These can be either national or local events or promotions organised by other bodies and companies.
Thirdly we provide driving related and general social events for our Members. Through our position as a recognised road safety organisation we can provide visits to facilities not normally available to the general public.
The initial meeting of the committee of the then East of Scotland Group was held at Glenisla Gdns, Edinburgh on 26 November, 1957 and from the six members present a Chairman and Treasurer were elected. The committee agreed to write to local motor clubs with a view to recruiting members.
By the following January a total of 58 Members had been recruited but the Chairman reported that so far support had only been forthcoming from Fife Constabulary. Social events started with 52 attending a luncheon at the Dunblane Hydro.
The first Annual general Meeting was held in 1959 at which it was reported that due to the departure of the Chairman no committee meeting had been held since November 1958.
The Group recovered in 1960 and were producing the first issues of a quarterly newsletter. A trip to the Corstophine Inn for skittles cost 25 shillings including services of ball boys with pies 3d and sandwiches 6d .
In 1961 the group assisted in the running the local heat of a National Safe Driving Contest sponsored by W.D. & H.O. Wills and the Standard Triumph car company.
The first sub group was established in Dundee in 1962 and Aberdeen and Falkirk in 1963. Such was the success of these sub Groups that Dundee became a full group by 1964.This prompted the Group to rename itself the South East Scotland Group in 1965.
The group succeeded in 1965 in recruiting Jim Clark as its Honorary President and the Chairman indicated that Mr Clark would be taking the IAM Test when time permitted. There is no record of this happening before his untimely death in 1968.
The interest from the Borders must have been strong at this time because several joint events were held with the Newcastle Group including a "Border Raid" held in both 1967 and 68 and although ac Borders sub Group was proposed in 1971 it was not formed until September 1980.
With membership exceeding one hundred social events continued to evolve including visits to a Skid Pan in Leven, Tulliallan Police College and a dance. The first of many monthly "Blether Nights" was held on 10th June 1969.
In 1972 it was recorded that a membership drive be undertaken before the introduction in April 1073 of VAT and the consequential rise in the IAM Test Fee to £7.15p.
All tuition drives were suspended in November 1973 due to the looming fuel shortage, however by the following July the situation had resolved and an inter-group open day was held in Kinross.
In 1976 it was reported that the Group had 144 full members and 82 associate members and the IAM test fee had reached £10.
In 1979 IAM HQ asked groups to discuss the proposed introduction of seat belt usage with a view to submitting views to the House of Commons . However the committee decided that members views were too diverse to allow any agreed position to be reached.
The Group Associate Membership reached the 100 mark for the first time in 1980 and by the following year had reached 138 with full membership of 185, membership fees were £2.50 and the IAM Test Fee had reached £17.50. Social events included a walking tour of the city vaults, a day trip to Blair Atholl and visit to the "Jack and the Beanstalk".
The 25th anniversary year of 1982 saw the introduction of reduced fees for young associates (under 21) co-inciding with the launch of the BP Young Driver of the Year competition.
Primarily an Observer is a volunteer without whom the Group cannot achieve it's aim to advance road safety.
An Observer must be a Member of the Group and a Member of the Iam who has passed the Institute of Advanced Motorists Advanced Driving Test.
An Observer has passed further tests within the Group both to improve their driving standard and to give assistance and advice to associates.
Only when they have achieved the high standards set by the Group are they appointed as Group Observers.
There is no "typical" Observer, they come in all ages from 20s to 70s and have a wide range of "day time jobs" and other interests.
What they all have in common is the dedication to improve road safety through promoting Advanced Driving.
A Senior Observer is an experienced Observer who has passed a series of tests including an extended test with an Iam Examiner.
To maintain Senior Observer status these tests must be re-sat every three years.
The Senior Observers in addition to the duties of normal Observers are also involved in assisting new Observers and conducting Assessments for new Associates.
The Senior Observers also provide guidance and support to all Observers who experience problems.
The Group is dedicated to assisting drivers in improving their driving to a level at which they can pass the Iam Test.
This is achieved by a number of methods including lectures, handouts and our group video but the most important aspect is the guidance given during driving sessions by the Observers.
Without Observers we cannot continue this work - Observers are the lifeblood of the Group.
If you would like to become an Observer please tell you're Observer or contact our Observer Co-ordinator, who will be happy to help you.
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