A message from our Chairman, Derek McMullan

A message from our Chairman, Derek McMullan Dear All  I hope you, your family and loved ones remain well.  Our now reduced freedom is alien to us all and will be a challenge in all aspects of our lives.  It is vital to arrest the progress of the virus and give us all the best chance of minimising the impact on us all.  I hope you can see the team-spirit you’ve developed in your local groups and as a member of IAM RoadSmart is a strength you can apply to all aspects of your lives in the challenge ahead. The extraordinary pace of the virus has forced equally extraordinary changes to our normal activities and the team supporting you from Welwyn Garden City has made an outstanding effort in transferring as much of the business as we can over to home-working. Local groups are also finding new and innovative ways to keep in touch and for that I congratulate you all. A number of IAM RoadSmart staff have already stepped forward to join the NHS Volunteer Responders. I am sure many of you have also done so and I thank everyone who is using their commitment to volunteering to help at this time. You may also wish to find out more about the COVID-19 symptom tracker app which is providing valuable research data to help tackle the spread of the virus. We are as well prepared as it is possible to be in the circumstances. Now we need to maintain IAM RoadSmart for the time when we can return to the real world. Stay safe. Derek

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – member update

In light of the most recent instructions from government about the vital importance of social-distancing as part of the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19), IAM RoadSmart’s Senior Management Team continues to meet daily by conference call so I wanted to communicate with all our members about what actions IAM RoadSmart has taken to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.

The priority must be for IAM RoadSmart and all our members and groups to contribute fully to efforts to minimise the spread of the virus nationwide and maintain the health and safety of all staff, members, associates, examiners and customers. Therefore all groups have suspended activities including observed runs for associates, both in cars and on motorcycles and all meetings and social gatherings, including AGMs and ride-outs. Advanced driving and riding tests and assessments remain suspended until further notice as are all re-qualifications for Local Observer Assessors, National Observers, Fellows and Masters.

 

We have also taken the decision on Tuesday 24 March to close our offices in Welwyn Garden City until further notice. We will therefore unfortunately be unable to respond to letters or communications that are sent in the post at the current time. We would encourage people to use email to contact us wherever possible. Membership related enquiries should be sent to support@iam.org.uk.

 

Our Customer Care phone lines are still operational from 8.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday. You may have to wait a little longer than usual for a response to your call or email, but we thank you in advance for your patience and will answer your query as quickly as we can.

Where associates’ membership expires, we will extend their membership, at no additional cost, for up to a further six months to enable all associates to complete their coaching and take their test without disadvantage. Each associate should contact our Customer Care team by emailing support@iam.org.uk  or calling 0300 303 1134 only when they have received their membership renewal notice.
 
I trust you enjoyed reading our new redesigned magazine, RoadSmart, which you should have received last week. We appreciate all feedback, suggestions and your letters for the next issue. You can access a digital version on our website via the member login at www.iamroadsmart.com and don’t forget the member area also has a whole host of member benefits as well as enabling you to update your contact details.  Why not login now and see everything we offer?  

We thank you for your support in these unprecedented times and we will continue to update you regularly, as the situation and government advice develops.

 

 

Best wishes to you, your friends and family.

 

Mike Quinton