"IAM Observer" Dashcam disaster

[Haltamer]

Something rather "dramatic" over the past week, with some woeful dashcam clips submitted by an IAM observer to Ashley Neal's youtube channel;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91dY70jexbk

https://youtu.be/MaAm-ZPF0Ko

Interesting to see that IAM have seemingly (Based on their statement) worked out who it is - I wonder what sort of walk of shame they're in for?

[brisel]

Hardly the end of the world, is it? Some poor reactions and driving unbecoming of the organisation but that’s about it.

[Salted_Peanut]

While I’m glad the IAM has taken action (according to Ashley), the whole thing smells odd.

It’s blindingly obvious how crap the driving is, so why would anyone – let alone an IAM Observer – send this footage to a YouTube channel? I know Ashley reported that the driver was an IAM Observer, but I find it hard to believe that one of them wasn’t making it up.

The one person with anything to gain from this footage was Ashley (more people looking at his YouTube channel). But it could also be a "fake Observer" to blame.

[Pica-Pica]

I find it hard to believe an IAM would drive like that. I find even more incredible that they would post it. Something not quite right here.

[Johnnytheboy]

Typical DCW driving.

In fairness I would have pulled round the emerging Skoda in the same way, especially as he only barely - as the narrator alleges - crosses a solid white line.

[595Heaven]

He's a local DCW!

First clip starts on Concorde Avenue in Banbury, and heads up Hennef Way towards the M40 J11 junction. I've seen far worse on there!

Second clip is on the M40 roundabout, which has been a nightmare recently due to HS2 related roadworks. Lanes closed quite often, so a sensible driver takes it much slower and makes sure other road users get lots of space to react to the latest configuration.

Third clip is along the A423 and the DCW is just a jerk. Sure, the car entering the road was a fool, but looked like there was plenty of time to brake and be sensible.

Last clip is on the A361 heading towards Banbury. Again, DCW had plenty of time to slow when the car emerged from the right but chose not to...

Really not sure why he would send in footage of him clearly speeding and being a general menace?!

[Countdown]

Salted_Peanut said:

<snip> I know Ashley reported that the driver was an IAM Observer, but I find it hard to believe that one of them wasn’t making it up

The one person with anything to gain from this footage was Ashley (more people looking at his YouTube channel). But it could also be a "fake Observer" to blame.

I agree - especially when Ashley says he “had to Google what IAM observer meant”. Really?

[NWMark]

i think the update says it all

Update 12/10/2020. I've just received this update from IAM RoadSmart. "The IAM RoadSmart member who submitted clips to Ashley Neal has now offered his resignation, which has been accepted. The driving in the clips on which Ashley has commented do not uphold the Advanced Driving standards we coach people to achieve. All our observers hold a formal qualification, accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). This member did not hold that qualification and was not entitled to claim to be an observer for IAM RoadSmart."

[Pica-Pica]

595Heaven said:

He's a local DCW!

Last clip is on the A361 heading towards Banbury. Again, DCW had plenty of time to slow when the car emerged from the right but chose not to...

It seems to me that was nothing at all. I would imagine the driver of the car emerging from the right had already checked to his left (cammer’s direction) - and being clear, and was then re-checking right, which was clear so exited. You cannot constantly keep checking each way, when at the last time of looking it was clear.

[Solocle]

Johnnytheboy said:

Typical DCW driving.

In fairness I would have pulled round the emerging Skoda in the same way, especially as he only barely - as the narrator alleges - crosses a solid white line.

Yep, that's the only one that I'd probably have done the same. Wet conditions, 50 mph, it looked sketchy as to being able to stop in time. At the same time, the junction was well within view, so the speed wasn't particularly excessive.

You're allowed to cross solid lines to avoid a collision.

[SlowAndDull]

I remember taking part in a ‘treasure hunt’ with my local IAM group soon after passing my test. As a teenager I was firstly amazed at the self-righteous attitudes some of the members displayed, and then horrified at the standard of driving on the event itself. I saw two near misses caused by IAM drivers, and a couple of other very questionable manoeuvres.

The IAM training/testing process is invaluable, particularly the work they do with fleet drivers, and observers give their time for free to help others improve their driving skills, however there area unfortunately many who feel they are great drivers having passed their IAM test years ago (no doubt me too, it’s been over 20 years now..). The DCW in those videos is definitely one of the latter!

Edited by SlowAndDull on Monday 12th October 19:57

[Haltamer]

NWMark said:

i think the update says it all

Update 12/10/2020. I've just received this update from IAM RoadSmart. "The IAM RoadSmart member who submitted clips to Ashley Neal has now offered his resignation, which has been accepted. The driving in the clips on which Ashley has commented do not uphold the Advanced Driving standards we coach people to achieve. All our observers hold a formal qualification, accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). This member did not hold that qualification and was not entitled to claim to be an observer for IAM RoadSmart."

That would perhaps explain things:-

As others have said though, I'm still a little amazed at the fact anyone would submit these; Even if you thought you were entirely "in the right" they're not exactly tidy examples - Seems as though the submitter may have a slightly (!) inflated view of themselves, especially making false claims to being an observer.

[Johnnytheboy]

I did titter at the narrator drawing attention to DCW's dislike of BMWs, which I thought was fairly tangential.

Then noticed the narrator was sat in one.

[WilliamWoollard]

595Heaven said:

He's a local DCW!

First clip starts on Concorde Avenue in Banbury, and heads up Hennef Way towards the M40 J11 junction. I've seen far worse on there!

Second clip is on the M40 roundabout, which has been a nightmare recently due to HS2 related roadworks. Lanes closed quite often, so a sensible driver takes it much slower and makes sure other road users get lots of space to react to the latest configuration.

Third clip is along the A423 and the DCW is just a jerk. Sure, the car entering the road was a fool, but looked like there was plenty of time to brake and be sensible.

Last clip is on the A361 heading towards Banbury. Again, DCW had plenty of time to slow when the car emerged from the right but chose not to...

Really not sure why he would send in footage of him clearly speeding and being a general menace?!

I drive those roads every day and I was on the third clip before I realised I recognised them!
The second clip on the M40 roundabout, clearly the cars weren't using the left hand lane due to the roadworks vehicles, anyone with half a brain could anticipate them moving back across once clear.
Terrible driving from the cammer in all clips.

[Dogwatch]

SlowAndDull said:

I remember taking part in a ‘treasure hunt’ with my local IAM group soon after passing my test. As a teenager I was firstly amazed at the self-righteous attitudes some of the members displayed, and then horrified at the standard of driving on the event itself. I saw two near misses caused by IAM drivers, and a couple of other very questionable manoeuvres.

Sadly I have to agree. My father was an early member of the IAM (mid fifties I think) and I took both my children to their local lectures when they were in their teens and new drivers (my daughter is now a lapsed IAM member) but I too didn't like the attitude of some members there so never bothered with anything more than an observed drive.

[Salted_Peanut]

Thankfully, in the main, IAM bike groups are great – social ride-outs and sociable. But bikers are a different breed (a better breed ).

And I wish IAM Communications would get real: IAM HQ's tone of voice jars against motorcycle culture. It neither helps nor reflects IAM bike groups. Local motorcycle groups are easier-going and more pragmatic.

[SlowAndDull]

Salted_Peanut said:

Thankfully, in the main, IAM bike groups are great – social ride-outs and sociable. But bikers are a different breed (a better breed ).

And I wish IAM Communications would get real: IAM HQ's tone of voice jars against motorcycle culture. It neither helps nor reflects IAM bike groups. Local motorcycle groups are easier-going and more pragmatic.

IAM communications are (IMO) becoming increasingly irrelevant, and taking a more anti-speeding view. I still support on balance the IAM agenda of improving driving standards, but have considered cancelling my DD on several occasions recently (particularly now that IAM Surety are no longer insuring any of my cars!).

[PhilAsia]

Clear, concise instruction...

His student was not benefitting in the video below...well, I would have been beating myself up if I was instructing in that manner.

His choice of language to describe the other driver is not something I would want a student to hear.

His not knowing about IAM was telling...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdT8GwiOtPc

[julian64]

I have to admit when I first joined PH I looked in the IAM forum because I only recognized IAM as a type of cat food.

I say this from the standpoint of a car enthusiast. I think if I asked my extended family from teenage boys to 80+ driving parents, none of them would know who IAM is.

I think it sometimes easy to believe if you have been in an organisation for a number of years that everyone has the same familiarity, but to be honest I don't think its unbelievable that he didn't know who IAM is.

[PhilAsia]

julian64 said:

I have to admit when I first joined PH I looked in the IAM forum because I only recognized IAM as a type of cat food.

I say this from the standpoint of a car enthusiast. I think if I asked my extended family from teenage boys to 80+ driving parents, none of them would know who IAM is.

I think it sometimes easy to believe if you have been in an organisation for a number of years that everyone has the same familiarity, but to be honest I don't think its unbelievable that he didn't know who IAM is.

I was an ADI for many years and I would think it would be very rare to not know about RoSPA or IAM.