The IAM are currently the largest Advanced Motoring organisation in Britain and have already been accepted by the DAS/DSA as a potential partner for this role.
With the figures of motorcycle RTA's being so contencious, I'd be happier for the government to have as little levering power as possible.
Which are two VERY good reasons for a truly independant organisation which EMBRACES rather than EXCLUDES on grounds of allegiance to any particular training methodology...
The government organisation (effectively controlled by government even if it pretends to be separate). These do impose standards, often very rigid and bureaucratic standards, and attempt to enforce a closed shop. They may offer some protection to the consumer, but are often a major cost for the members, and they totally stifle debate about what the standard should be.
THis is the role of the DSA, and pretty much accurately describes what they do .
The trade organisation - may offer benefits to members (ie the trade) but the "qualification" to join is usually a cheque, and the "standards" are pretty well meaningless. Usualy toothless and, while promising consumer protection, rarely delivers it.
The main reason for a trade organisation for instructors is to disseminate information to ALL instructors (rather than the select few who seem to get wind of things long before the rest of us), and to offer a coherent voice for those instructors to put their own views.
For instance, 18months or so ago, there was an "open" forum on countersteering run by the DSA... it was never publicised to all trainers, the speaker list was apparently at the DSA's own invitation, and noone outside the usual round of consultees had a chance to put a view, even in writing...
I'd dearly love to kick off an independent organisation that would give ALL instructors of whatever affiliation, an equal voice... but I can't do it more or less alone.. it needs to be a cooperative effort - and that's where things fall down.
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