Norfolk & Norwich Group of Advanced Motorists E-mail Newsletter - "Torque"
Volume #28 (3rd April 2009)
Contents
- Welcome
- Forum Update
- 50mph issue
- Up And Coming Events
- Lights out please
- Spread the word (please)
- Advertising
- WELCOME
Welcome to volume 28 Torque. Apologies for missing last months Torque but I have been rather ill with a nasty infection. Hopefully things are starting to return to normal in the Minns household.
If you have any feedback regarding this issue of Torque then please e-mail me on steve@minvo.com
- FORUM UPDATE
We now have 13 registered users on the Forum. If you haven't had a look yet then please do, at - nnam.forumup.com
Some good stuff on there - Matt seems to keep updating the "Humour" section...
Learn To Drive! with Pams Academy of Motoring
Lessons starting from £19 per hour
Motorway / Refresher courses / Pass Plus Scheme / Nervous people welcome
Based in Potter Heigham, and covering all areas between Wroxham, North Walsham & Yarmouth
Please ring 07772 189210 or Visit our web site www.pamsdriving.co.uk for further details
- 50 MPH ISSUE
From David Ellis, naked coaster-riding driver
"I was reading today with some interest and more than a little concern that the Government were thinking about making all single lane rural roads 50mph speed limit instead of the current 60mph. Article here
I think that any blanket change in speed limit would be bad news, especially for us in this region, who are not exactly blessed with dual carriageways!
The article raises a few interesting points, suggesting that a drop in the speed limit would reduce the number of casualties on those roads. I don't think this will be the case. A blanket lower limit will not gain the respect of drivers where it was felt to be inconsistent with the level of hazards, and this may lead to an increase in rash overtaking in potentially dangerous situations, possibly leading to an increase in collisions, or certainly raising the risk of incidents.
The article quotes a spokesperson from Brake, saying "I support these proposals because drivers are unable to risk-assess themselves". I find this comment surprising and disappointing, coming from an organisation that promotes road safety. Surely we should be promoting the education of drivers to make sensible, risk-based driving decisions, not "dumbing down" the driving task to the point drivers no longer have to think about risk assessing their decisions.
What do other drivers think? Is 50mph a good target limit for all single lane roads, or is this in an ill-advised knee-jerk reaction by the Government?"
Note from the Editor: - I was watching a BBC news programme that was covering this issue. The reporter was talking about how safe it would be to reduce all traffic to 50mph on rural roads. Does the BBC not know that goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes have a speed limit of 40mph on these roads already?
- UP AND COMING EVENTS
NORWICH:
All at Wensum Community Centre, Hotblack Road, Norwich
All on 2nd WEDNESDAY of each month (unless otherwise stated)
18th April
Shaw Taylor Racing
Main Dealer for Prestige, Performance & Import Cars
Tunes and prepares bikes and cars for racing and also trains drivers and riders.
Rallying or racing they have the complete package to suit you.
13th May
PC Elliott Macrow
Police Helicopter
Did you know that Norfolk Constabulary has access to two helicopters. They are based at Norwich Airport and can reach Kings Lynn in 20 minutes?
10th June
David Boulton
Photographer
Signs & Sounds of Norfolk
David took up full time nature photography in 2004 after 17 years as a postman.
8th July
Stephen Bumfrey
BBC Radio Norfolk
Tune in to your local BBC radio station in the mornings to hear Stephen and get an idea of what you are likely to get on the evening.
KINGS LYNN:
All at the NEW VENUE - The Farmers Arms Inn, Knights Hill Hotel, South Wootton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 3HQ
See the signs at the venue to direct you to the specific function room.
All on 4th MONDAY of each month (unless otherwise stated)
27th April
Kevin Spencer
Dog Section of Norwich Prison
Drug dogs were introduced into the Prison Service in 1996, the first at Norwich being 1998.
They are used, obviously, to detect drugs but also now, for mobile phones which are a great problem in the prison.
Kevin will be accompanied by his "friends".
18th May (3rd Monday)
(this is the third Monday - fourth Monday is a Bank Holiday)
Sandy Reid
Casualty Reduction Officer for Norfolk
Sandy is a Group Member and an Observer - come and find out about his day job.
22nd June
Terry Towler
Regional Co-ordinator
Terry is the link between the Group and IAM House.
Come along and find out what he does - also an opportunity to ask your burning questions on IAM procedures.
27th July
John Woodford
Is an Apiarist
Come along and find out what use John has for the inhabitants of his apiary.
OBSERVER MEETINGS:
Thursday 23rd April 7:30pm
Hotblack Road, Norwich
With Peter Rodger confirmed as attending
Thursday 16th July 7:30pm
Farmers Arms, Wootton, Kings Lynn
Saturday 26th September 1:30pm
Hotblack Road, Norwich
Mark is in the process of choosing a date for the 2009 Workshop Day. Either 27th or 28th June - TBC.
OTHER EVENTS:
Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May 2009
Stradset Vintage Rally
Stradsett is where the A134 crosses the A1122 just east of Downham Market and it will be signposted.
- LIGHTS OUT PLEASE
From IAM London:
"IAM welcomes safety assurance as lights go out.
The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) has welcomed the Highways Agency’s (HA) new policy to switch off motorway lighting as it targets the safest and quietest motorways.
IAM Director of Policy and Research, Neil Greig, said: “We were concerned that a rush to reduce the carbon footprint of motorway lighting might have led to safety taking a back seat. But the HA has struck the right balance by continuing to illuminate junctions and opting for low flow routes with a good road safety record.”
Mr Greig emphasized motorways are our safest roads but collisions are more likely to take place at or near junctions.
The IAM understands the HA has no plans to extend the switch off to ‘A’ class dual and single carriageways where lighting is key to reducing the risks of night time driving."
- SPREAD THE WORD
To be able to receive this newsletter you must:
* Have an e-mail address
* Have a computer to receive the e-mail
* And most importantly I must know what your e-mail address is.
So, spread the word. If you know someone who might appreciate a copy of this newsletter then please get them to send me an e-mail steve@minvo.com or call me at home on 01603 814035. If you know someone that doesn't have an e-mail address then simply print this e-mail and give it to them.
- ADVERTISING
If you (or you know of someone) who might want to sponsor our newsletter then please let me know. The added advantage of having an e-mail newsletter is being able to have hyperlinks straight to an advertisement on a web page.