Since the local group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) was reformed as ‘Isle of Man Advanced Motorists’ more than 100 motorists and motorcyclists have now succeeded in passing the IAM’s Advanced Driving Test on the Isle of Man.
The group has also seen an increasing proportion of younger drivers (under 25) showing interest in improving their driving and riding skills through the IAM’s ‘Skill for Life’ development programme and passing the Advanced Test.
One of the founder members of the Isle of Man Advanced Motorists group, John Levitt, has recently retired from the committee and been awarded Honorary Membership in recognition of his long and valued service to the group.
John’s long involvement with the IAM started when he became an Associate Member with the Bassetlaw Group, in Nottinghamshire, in the spring of 1981. He passed the Advanced Test in September of that year, in Worksop, and became an Observer with the group. Shortly after that he was elected to the Bassetlaw group committee and was appointed Guidance Organiser, arranging observed training runs for new Associates.
His work in Information Technology led to a move to Merseyside in 1983 where he joined the Sefton Group and again became a group Observer. He was elected to that group’s committee in 1985 and was appointed to their Training Sub-Committee when it was set up in 1990.
After taking early retirement, John and his wife Amy moved to the Isle of Man in 1997.
Revival of the IAM group on the Island was assisted by members from Blackpool and Fylde and several members of that group paid a weekend visit to the Island in May 2004. The delegation included Bob Higginbotham, then the Regional Coordinator for the Northwest. The local group was originally set up as a Sub-Group of the Blackpool and Fylde Advanced Motorists and John acted in the roles of both Chairman and Secretary for the Isle of Man group. In January 2008 the Isle of Man Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclists became an independent group of the IAM and John became the Membership Secretary.
John’s involvement with the establishment of IoMAM and his hard work and dedication to the IAM over so many years was recently recognised by the award of Honorary Membership at a lunch and presentation attended by most of the committee members.
IoMAM can be contacted at www.iomam.org or by telephone on 423555.
Photo caption - John Levitt with the framed certificate and engraved IAM shield recently presented to him on retirement from the IoMAM committee.
