THIS year sees the Institute of Advanced Motorists celebrating its 50th anniversary, with a host of events held nationally and locally.

Launched in June 1956, the organisation was set up to improve driving standards, promote road safety, and establish an advanced driving test.

Since then IAM groups have sprung up around the country and, throughout the year, Herefordshire's runs courses at the Cathedral School, teaching the theory of advanced driving with lectures, videos and quizzes.

The group also has its own monthly newsletter and an active social calendar too and earlier this year it launched a motorcycle section. Here, DAVID ROSE, group chairman (above), explains why driving backwards is, sometimes best.

Contact: John Hodges 01432 890606.

email john.hodges@ukgateway.net website: www.iam.org/groups/herefordshire

IN a car park, do you reverse into a parking space and drive out or drive in and reverse out?

The next time you are in a car park, look around and see how many people reverse in.

Most people actually drive in and reverse out. There is no doubt this may be safer/more convenient if the spaces are angled, when you have to access the boot or if it would inconvenience other drivers. However, reversing does give several advantages.

1. It is safer to reverse into somewhere you can see into (the parking space) rather than reversing out into somewhere you can't (a line of moving traffic).

2. Many people take a few minutes to settle into 'driving mode' when starting a journey and it doesn't make sense to undertake a potentially high-risk manoeuvre such as reversing when not concentrating fully.

3. It is easier to control a car going forwards when it is first started and the automatic choke activate. The reduction in wear and tear on you and the car is useful too, plus the fact you can pull away immediately while the engine is cold, rather than labour it reversing.

4. From a security point of view reversing close to an object such as a wall can make it more difficult for thieves to access the boot. If you need to leave a parking space quickly, for personal security, driving out provides better acceleration and improved vision.

Try reversing into a parking space. You may find it helpful if you have electric mirrors to lower your left (nearside) mirror as this will provide you with a guide to your lateral position.

Another option, when all the spaces are running parallel, is to line the car up with the space in front and reverse back in a straight line. This should automatically position you in the centre of the space.

When back is best - when reversing into a parking space and starting the car first thing in the morning. Photos: David Rose.