Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 8 September.
Topic to be announced 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start.
SkillShare & Social
2 Aug 2025 meeting at the Dandy Highwayman Cafe Cherhill. 9.30 am for 10 am start. See main section for more details.
Bike Ride-Outs on the 3rd Saturday of every even numbered month and the 3rd Sunday of every odd numbered Month. Email will be sent out to Bikers and added to the Forum.
Next ride out Saturday 20 August Details will be forthcoming via email to all bike members.
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Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact speaker at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:
Andrew Turton - Car Silver
Keith Lee - Bike Silver
Josh Saunders - Bike Silver
Please let your tutor know if you have passed recently.
Please welcome the following to the Group:
Kevin Trill - Car
Geof Brown - Bike
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Don’t forget that we have a range of clothing available to purchase. We also offer a range of books, such as Roadcraft, Motorcycle Roadcraft and the Highway Code, and these are available at discounted prices.
For more information visit the Merchandise page of our web site |
We are always looking for more articles, ideas and news for the newsletter. Have you been somewhere interesting recently that would make a good story? If you attend any group events then take a camera and send us your pictures!
Please forward all contributions to newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
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I like a bit of serendipity. I was on a long journey to Northumberland and had decided to travel up the West of the country rather than spend a long time on the M1 and A1(M). This meant I had to cross the Pennines at some stage. I know, from my regular trips to Scotland, there is a nice Café in Booths supermarket in Penrith so over soup and a sandwich I looked at the map. The A686 cuts across the Pennines from Penrith to Haydon Bridge over the Hartside Pass and looked an interesting road.
I was not disappointed. It was similar to a European mountain road with hairpin bends, fast sweeping bends and some challenging corner combinations, all presented with the most amazing view. I happened to be on a motorbike, but this would be great fun in a car as well. If you are looking for a route over the Pennines I can recommend this one.
We have done a bit of recruiting this month (more later on in the newsletter) which has not been as fruitful as we would have liked but if we do not try then we never know. Please help to raise awareness of the Group and what we do whenever possible. You never know you might just save someone’s life.
I hope you have managed to enjoy the hot weather and stay safe
Bob Fram
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Recruiting Activity
Calne Bike Meet
Phill Colbourne, Steve Alsworth, Jan Taylor, and Sean Caine arrived at 7am and quickly setup the Wiltshrie RoADAR branded stand. Wanda Corp dropped by later in the day to help on the stand.
An overcast and almost cold start to the day, kept visitors to the Town fewer than previous years.but at around 09:30 bikes could be heard arriving in the Town and a trickle of pedestrians started working their way around the exhibitors.
The stalls around us where more clothing and less bike exhibits than last year and stall positions limited the visibility of our stand from some directions, but the stand did generate interest with 5 new bike members joining on the day.
Quite a few people chatted with us and seemed keen to come to the skill share events at the Dandy Highwayman on the first Saturday of each month, and a number of people took business cards / leaflets to study later which hopefully may lead to more members joining.
It was particularly nice to see a good number of Wiltshire RoADAR bike and car members and associates visit the stand for a chat, along with several of the Curvy Riders (Ladies only motorcycle group), and a good number of Freewheelers Blood bikers (from various local blood bike groups)
We also met and chatted with our colleagues from WABAM, and as usual the variation on respective costs between IAM and RoSPA raised its head
Some light showers around midday, saw visitors drop a little, but the sun shone during the afternoon and more people arrived,
For next year we need to get some more members bikes on the stand with as many manufacturer / types as possible ( also any harley / cruiser owners please help us to attract people to the stand), we should also consider getting our stand located closer to the Freewheelers blood bike stand to improve our visibility, and do some work on adding visuals to the stand to emphasise what RoADAR is about, as the public have much less perception compared to IAM on what we actually do , until we engage with them to explain.
Atwell Motor Musem
Sun 13th July - The 22nd Annual Classic vehicle show took place in the grounds of the Atwell Motor Museum
Nick Carrington and Steve Allsworth represented the car drivers of the group with Phill Colbourne the bike riders.
This was the Group’s first time at this show and what a scorcher at around 30 degrees. The Stand was setup and Phill's motorcycle parked alongside, while we sheltered in the tiny bit of shade under the gazebo.
We had a few people talk to us, but the stall location was away from the main display area. We managed to gain a new car member and raised awareness for our Group.
Over 500 classic vehicles attended with clubs from most major Marques ( Rover, MG, Morgan, Ford, Jaguar, Ferrari, Renault, Saab, Porsche, Lotus, Vauxhall, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Reliant, Harley Davidson) and many more including some tractors and a collection of American cars.
Around 2000 visitors attended the show, despite the heat wave
You were guaranteed to see vehicles you have always wanted and certainly everyone went down memory lane and we chatted to several people who had seen their first car or type of cars their parents or relatives owned.
I spotted a lovely Morris Mini from 1961, which is the same model of car that I learnt to drive and then drove as my first car.
Many thanks to Steve and Nick for arranging the event, and we look forward to our members suggesting other events that we could target, its not a huge task to attend and you might just enjoy it, and hopefully encourage new members to join our Group
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Research on why car drivers crash into motorcyclists (it is not one sided!)
New research which explores why car drivers often fail to spot motorcyclists on the road has revealed how a simple video intervention could help save lives– with 92% of drivers reporting a greater understanding of hazards.
The Motorcycles in the Mind’s Eye Study by psychologists at Nottingham Trent University explored the theory that many incidents are not due to carelessness, but to a lack of experience and flawed ‘mental models’ whereby car drivers and motorcyclists think differently about road situations. Motorcycles, due to their smaller size, relative rarity, and distinct road behaviour, are significantly harder for drivers to detect, particularly in less predictable scenarios such as overtaking stationary traffic.
Many motorists lack sufficient exposure to motorcycles, making it difficult to form reliable mental models of where and how they might appear. This often leads to “Look But Fail To See” errors, where a driver may glance directly at a motorcyclist yet fail to register them as a potential hazard. Even when noticed, accurately judging the speed of an oncoming motorcycle remains a common challenge for drivers.
Professor David Crundall, lead researcher and Professor of Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences said “Drivers aren’t ignoring motorcyclists, they often just don’t expect them to be there; Our brains are wired to look for what we’re used to seeing, and for most drivers, that doesn’t include motorcycles.” The research team used virtual reality and eye- tracking technology to compare how car drivers and dual drivers - those who also ride motorcycles - responded to road hazards. In one key scenario, dual drivers were significantly faster at spotting a motorcycle overtaking stationary traffic, highlighting how experience shapes awareness.
The participants were then shown short educational videos explaining the psychologicalreasons behind these “Look But Fail To See” errors.
Among the 71 car drivers who viewed the video, 92% reported a greater understanding of the causes behind car-motorcycle collisions. Additionally, 88% indicated they were likely to adjust their driving behaviour as a result, and the same percentage expressed increased empathy toward the challenges motorcyclists face on the road.
Motorcyclists also reacted positively to the intervention. After watching the video, 91% of 78 viewers said their awareness of the causes of collisions with cars had improved. Meanwhile, 85% stated they would modify their riding behaviour accordingly, and 65% felt more empathetic toward the difficulties encountered by car drivers.
The biggest impact, however, was seen in car drivers, who became more aware of their own limitations and more cautious in high-risk situations. The study also highlights how car drivers and motorcyclists often see each other as “outsiders,” leading to negative stereotypes and reduced empathy on the road. This can cause both groups to misjudge each other’s actions, increasing the risk of collisions. By explaining the psychological reasons behind these biases - such as how drivers may genuinely fail to see motorcycles due to limited experience - the research aims to foster understanding and improve safety.
View the video clips at here
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Keeping DVLA Updated
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued reminder about updating your address details without delay if you've moved house. Failing to do so could lead to major issues with your driving licence and vehicle registration.
You can still drive while you wait for your new documents to be sent to you.
Once you have moved, you should follow these steps and update them as soon as you can. This meansyou must update your:
• Driving licence
• Vehicle log book (V5C)
• Direct Debit
• Personalised number plate documents
• Trailer register certificate
You do not need to change anything if your address is only temporary such as being at university
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Distracted Driving Mistakes
It turns out the biggest distracted driving mistakes aren’t what you’d expect. According to the RAC’s latest research, mobile phones and infotainment screens aren’t the top culprits – people are. in a poll of 2,691 UK drivers, 63% admitted making at least one mistake behind the wheel due to being distracted. The leading causes? Talking to passengers (43%) and daydreaming (37%).
These findings challenge the idea that phones and dashboard tech are the biggest safety threats. While still a concern – especially with new data showing how fiddly some in-car systems are – tech wasn’t top of the list when drivers reflected on what led them to make errors. Common distracted driving mistakes included missing junctions, speeding, taking the wrong lane, or nearly hitting another road user.
Even though 46% of all drivers surveyed said they find phone use distracting, just 8% of those who made actual mistakes said phones were the reason. That contrast highlights a growing gap between perceived and real risks. Touchscreens aren’t off the hook. Around one in four mistake-making drivers said they were distracted while trying to adjust heating, radio or navigation via touchscreen – justifying growing criticism of complex infotainment
systems.
In 2023, 940 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes where distraction from within the vehicle was a factor. And while only 23 deaths were linked directly to mobile phone use, distractions of all kinds contributed to 34.9% of fatal collisions. With in-car tech under increasing scrutiny, from next year, safety ratings could be affected if basic controls aren’t accessible via physical buttons, in a move to reduce touchscreen-related distraction
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The Morning After The Night Before
More than a third of drivers in the UK admit to drinking alcohol after 9pm, despite planning to drive before 9am the following morning, according to a new survey by IAM RoadSmart. Being over the limit the morning after when a driver gets behind the wheel is a behaviour that continues to cause serious injuries and fatalities across the country.
The findings, based on a poll of over 1,000 UK motorists, show that 38% of respondents had their last drink after 9pm, while 21% continued drinking past 10pm. With alcohol leaving the body at an average rate of one unit per hour many drivers may still be impaired well into the next day, particularly after consuming higher-strength drinks. The survey also revealed widespread concern about drink-driving among peers: 31% of respondents said they had been with someone who drank alcohol before getting into a vehicle, and while 72% tried to intervene, nearly a quarter did nothing and 5% felt it was “none of their business”.
The risk is particularly acute during summer, a period often associated with outdoor gatherings, pub visits and festivals. According to Department for Transport (DfT) figures, July consistently sees the highest number of drink-driving casualties, surpassing even December, a month traditionally linked with festive drinking and Christmas party culture.
However, there was strong support for preventive measures, with 80% backing drink-drive
rehabilitation courses, and 81% calling for these programmes to be made mandatory for all offenders. Respondents particularly valued modules that focus on the impact of drink-driving on victims and families, with 83% seeing this as the most effective part of the course
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SkillShare and Saturday Social
Skillshare returns on 5 July so we will be offering taster sessions to potential members. This does not remove the Saturday Sociual but merely adds to it. Bring a friend and join us on the first Saturday of the month at the Wiltshire RoADAR Saturday Social. From 09:30 at The Dandy Highwayman; Main Rd, Cherhill, Calne SN11 8UU.
Come and meet your fellow members; exchange notes with other associates; meet some of our tutors and pick their brains.
We usually stay chatting eating cake and drinking tea until 11 ish.
The first Saturday of the month - 09:30 - The Dandy highwayman - Café - on the A4 - Main Rd, Cherhill, Calne SN11 8UU.
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Have you been up to anything to do with Riding or Driving lately? If so, then please let us know as we would love to include it here; photos would be great too!
Some of you must have done something of interest, why not write a short aticel fot the newsletter?
Mark sealey has done just this and been on a road trip to Orkney; his report can be found here
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Promotional activities
SkillShare - at Dandy Highwayman, Cherhill, Calne on 2 August - in addition to the Saturday Social.
Carfest South at Laverstoke Park Farm near Overton Hampshire 22 -24 August. We agreed in principle to support this with other groups. Car section members to attend. please get in touch with Nick Carrington.
Wiltshire Police BikeSafe
Successfully supported by Wiltshire RoADAR motorcycle tutors and WABAM Observers. Dates for 2025 are as follows:
24 August
28 September
5 October
If you have any ideas for events, then please get in touch with the committee using the committee email address :
Look forward to hearing and discussing your ideas.
Presentation material
A generic set of slides has been created for use if you are asked about Wiltshire RoADAR and have the opportunity to present. This could be at a local club, workplace etc. Please send a mail to committee@wiltshireroadar.co.uk and the slides will be sent over to you.
We also have flyers and business cards so ask for these via the same means.
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Booking a Retest
Please be aware you need to book your 3 yearly retest directly with RoSPA via their website. Sadly we cannot book it for you as it is all done electronically. You may also need to check when your re-test is due if you have not been paying your subscriptions to RoADAR as they will not remind you.
Tutors will be happy to conduct a refresh should you wish one prior to a re test.
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Membership and GDPR
Due to GDPR we are required to remove an individual's details from our Group database when they are no longer required by us. We remove a lapsed member's details if they have not paid a subscription by the 31 Dec following the AGM (3 months after the subscriptions are due). If a member has forgotten to pay their subs and pays after 31 Dec we will require a joining form to be completed so we can replace them on the database.
It all seems a bit strange, but we do not want to get on the wrong side of the Government's Information Commissioner. We understand if members forget or are late with their subscriptions, but please help us to keep our database accurate and compliant.
This is, of course, separate to those of you who maintain a membership with RoADAR HQ.
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Media coordinator - Help us to broaden our reach
To help promote the group we have a variety of online media platforms, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. To help make the most out of the opportunities that these outlets provide, we could use some help from someone who has experience of using such tools. Drop me a line at secretary@wiltshireroadar.co.uk if you would be interested in helping promote our group.
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Communication from HQ
Good afternoon All,
I hope all is well.
We would like to inform you of an important update regarding the Level 3 Award in RoADAR Advanced (rider/driver) coaching.
Following a review of course uptake and feedback from our members, it has become clear that the current qualification does not fully meet the standards we strive to maintain. As such, we have made the decision to retire this version of the course.
In its place, we are developing a new and improved training programme, which will be piloted this November, with a full launch planned for the new year. We are also exploring delivery formats to ensure the course is accessible to members across the country.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all participants who have completed the qualification and provided valuable feedback. Your input is instrumental in helping us enhance the quality and relevance of our training offerings.
Thank you for your continued support of RoSPA and the RoADAR programme.
All the best
Andy
Andy Nixon
RoADAR Manager
M:+44 (0)7880 785 056
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Committee minutes
These are available from the Group Secretary if any member wishes to see them. If you are interested in reading the minutes, then please send a mail to the Group Secretary whom will promptly forward them onto you.
Test results
Reminder to let the Membership Secretary and your tutor know when you have taken your Advanced Driving/Riding Test and result. This is so our database is kept up to date; there is no need or pressure at all to have the result published on the website or in this newsletter if you wish to keep your result confidential.
If you have read this far, thanks! If you have any feedback or suggestions about content for your newsletter, then drop us a line at newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk If you can't leave constructive feedback though, then we don't want to hear from you!
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