In line with the desire to ensure the Hamble and Meon Valley cell exercise best practice it was decided that periodic guest presentations/training rides should take place, primarily given by IAM examiners in an effort to see where associates often go wrong during their IAM tests. Adrian Short delivered the first of these presentations on 1 May with Senior Observers Johns Longland and Parvin present as well as regular Observers Mike West, Sam Davis and Lee Blackburn in attendance.

The format for the day was to gather at Mike West’s lovely abode around 0900, have an hour or so of chalk and talk before heading out on to the roads of Hampshire and West Sussex to put into practice what we’d discussed earlier. Despite the weather’s best attempts to try and dampen things a cracking ride was had by all with a lovely lunch at The Partridge Inn in Singleton to give us time to reflect on what we’d achieved thus far.

In between the lunch and final debrief sessions the format used was very similar to that used between associates and their observers with us following a set route followed by some constructive pick-up points to keep us on our toes. I think that I can speak for us all when I say that Adrian’s pointers were a benefit to us all and helped us with ideas across the board. From using white line markings as a guide to your accelaration/gear changes through to sensible use of hand signals (Cue the Swan Lake image at this point!) we all picked us something from the day which, surely, is the point.

Many thanks to Mike for use of his classroom and the lovely croissants as well as to Adrian Short for his time and effort during the day. The next such day will see Phil Pentelow sharing his wisdom which I know that I for one am looking forward to already.

In attendance:

John Parvin – Recently qualified Senior Observer

Mike West – Cell Co-ordinator, Observer with the cell

John Longland – Hamble and Meon Valley Cell Senior Observer

Adrian Short – Serving Traffic Police Officer and IAM Examiner for Chichester Area

Sam Davis – Observer from the cell

Lee Blackburn – Observer from the cell

Main points on “why associates fail” (oops, I mean, get referred) were:

· Legality – dangerous or due care incidents such as crossing white lines

· Non systematic/ragged riding

· Poor use of gears (too high)

· Positioning

· Lack of progression

· Falling off!  (has only happened once)

Other helpful comments made by Adrian included:

· Falling off!  (has only happened once)

· Consider use of hand signals when coming off roundabouts

· As observers, we should attend at least one associate test per year to remind ourselves of the format and experience

· We should get our associates above the required test standard to allow for regression on the day of the test

· Remind associates that the IAM test should be regarded as a stepping stone rather than a destination

· Making greater us of the information provided by road markings and signage (JKL to develop this theme for us at the next cell meeting)