Norwich - 9th February

A potted history of the I A M by Martin Woodhouse

For those who missed it, this was an interesting and informative talk, showing the progress of the IAM from its inception to the present day. This was achieved with overhead projections and given by Martin, who, as many will know, is not lacking in confidence and does not suffer from word failure. He had dusted off the archives and found magazines and newsletters from way back all supported with factual information. Among the documents relating to the Norfolk & Norwich group were a copy of the minutes of the first committee meeting and a copy of the minutes of the first AGM.

The IAM was founded in 1956 with aim of improving the standard driving of the motorists of the day and they established test criteria to achieve this ideal. The IAM is a registered charity and largest Road Safety Organisation in the U.K. With over 112,000 members countrywide and 212+ local groups.

Some interesting, if horrifying, statistics were shown, 1.26 million people die each year in road traffic accidents and 3,000 of these on U.K. roads. 95%, of which are caused by human error.

The IAM groups are also registered charities in their own right and are affiliated to the IAM not owned by them. The Norfolk and Norwich group is one of the biggest and has the largest area coverage ranging from:
Hunstanton & Cromer in the North to Yarmouth in the East, Downham Market in the West & Bury St Edmunds in the South
It has currently some 740 members 72 associates and around 40 observers.

The high recruiting levels experienced by the group are achieved by face-to-face contact via a show stand travelling around the county. This has matured from humble beginnings consisting of a single table and chair to today’s Mobile Display Unit (MDU) purchased incidentally from the IAM for £50 (albeit much modified and improved) following their abortive attempts to control recruiting centrally. Photographs depicting the MDU at various events around Norfolk were on display.

All in all an illuminating presentation, particularly, for those of us who were unaware of the history of our organisation.

John Wallman