Swansea Bay Group of IAM Roadsmart

15/04/2026

DVSA reports that the Highway Code was 95 years old on 14th April and has produced a blog about it. On this page you can download free Android and Apple versions of the code for your phone or tablet.

https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/blog/cars/the-highway-code-then-and-now-95-years/

02/04/2026

This IAM group is pleased to have multiple Guinness World Records holder for EV efficient driving and IAM RoadSmart F1rst holder Kevin Booker as a member. Later this month Kevin will present a talk to the group on how to eke the most mileage from the least fuel.

Before then, in these time of ludicrous fuel prices the RAC offers its ‘ultimate’ guide to achieving better fuel economy. They stress the importance of good observation and early anticipation in paragraph 4 (I’d have put this higher in the list), and state that driving at a constant speed is key. If you’ve heard of hypermiling then you’re aware that to achieve maximum economy extreme hypermilers tend to speed up going downhill whilst keeping to the speed limit, and gradually lose speed going uphill - though if you do this it must be done only when safe and with consideration to other road users.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/how-to/fuel-saving-tips/

https://www.fuelgenie.co.uk/news/what-s-hypermiling-and-how-can-it-save-fuel/

02/04/2026

The RAC today reports that the fuel price increases we’re all suffering from has been the most rapid increase ever. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to download a petrol price comparison app from your phone‘s App Store.

Diesel goes up by 40p in a month – 18p more than the previous record set four years ago

26/01/2026

Kevin Booker, who last year achieved a F1rst in his IAM RoadSmart advanced driving test, is Swansea Bay Group of IAM Roadsmart EV Adviser and a multiple Guinness World Records holder for efficient driving across a wide range of vehicles. One of Kevin’s real strengths is squeezing far more real‑world range out of EVs than the official WLTP figures, which many of us know are standardised but often a bit optimistic.

In this video, Kevin takes an MG IM5 from MG Motor UK supplied by Nathaniel Cars and drives it an incredible 462 miles from South Wales all the way to St Andrews in Scotland on a single charge. A seriously impressive demonstration of what efficient driving can achieve.

Kevin Booker, holder of five Guinness World Records for driving efficiency, is always up for a challenge. But this time, he's facing one of his toughest test...

07/01/2026

The government’s new Road Safety Strategy is announced today.

Here are links to the press release, and to the strategy itself.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-lives-to-be-saved-under-bold-new-road-safety-strategy

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695e2cff8832ab3a48513809/road-safety-strategy.pdf

06/01/2026

This year marks 70 years of IAM RoadSmart.

We’re recognising seven decades of commitment to reducing risk on our roads through better driving, education and campaigning by continuing to offer assessment drives if you want pointers on how to increase your driving skills and make your driving safer, or a taster drive to see if the Advanced Course is something you might find interesting. Both types are offered at no cost and delivered by the highly skilled Observers of Swansea Bay Group.

Discover more by direct messaging us or from this link -

Please check your inbox and click the confirmation link to confirm your email address to continue checkout. The email may take several minutes to arrive. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder.

06/01/2026

It should be of concern to all road users that the BBC reports that 1600 people die on UK roads each year and that The National Motorcycle Council states that ”the overall level of road casualties has not significantly changed since 2013”.

Ahead of tomorrow’s (7/1/26) publication of the Government’s new road safety strategy a few details have been announced including a reduction in the drink drive limit in Wales, and the need for regular, compulsory eye tests by those over 70.

First details of new road safety strategy announced – including compulsory eye tests for over 70s 09.21 | 11 August 2025 | General news | 11 comments Motorists over 70 years of age could be banned from driving if they fail compulsory eye tests, under plans set to be included in the Government’s ...

06/01/2026

With the cold weather now firmly here, this advice from Halfords about looking after your car battery is timely.

Note that Halfords offers to check and test your battery and charger system free of charge (link is in the article). I’ve used this before replacing batteries and find it very helpful.

Discover how to look after your car battery in winter with the experts at Yuasa. Shop our range of Yuasa batteries and chargers at halfords.com.

12/12/2025

On the back of flat-lined EV sales and increasing number of petrol powered cars being sold in the UK in the luxury market, it’s interesting to see an article in Autocar reporting that EU is to scrap its 2035 ICE sales ban.

A senior European lawmaker says the ban is "off the table"; EU expected to officially confirm on Tuesday

19/11/2025

Next week Thursday, 27th November is our bi-monthly meeting and also the AGM. Afterwards we can gather across the road for a drink, meal, or chat. Details will be sent directly to all group members.

19/11/2025

As Winter has firmly been switched on this morning here’s some information from Confused.com about keeping you car’s screens clear:
https://www.confused.com/compare-car-insurance/guides/how-to-de-ice-your-car

Driving with an icy porthole could land you with a fine and points on your licence. Here's how you defrost your car's windscreen and windows properly.