Safe Speed Forums

So, from the comments on here, it looks like we’re not doing a great job over at the ABD. Fair enough. There’s a lot more I’d like us to be doing – a LOT more. But as the ABD’s Policy Director I think I ought to add a little to the debate that’s started.

I hope you’ll forgive me not quoting from each poster verbatim, but simply covering the issues instead.

We’re bad at publicizing our issues
Yes. We are. A lot of the ABD’s issues come down to being volunteers. Paul has taken a hugely brave step and gone out on his own with no financial backing and fought for what he believes. As he well knows (and we had this conversation tonight) I take my hat off to him for it.

But don’t think we’re asleep over at ABD Towers. We may all be volunteers, but there is a great deal going on at local and national level. ABD reps sit on local transport committees, and members of the Exec meet regularly with politicians. For myself, I take at least four of five media calls a day with requests for television, radio or press interviews. That takes up a lot of time – particularly when one is running a new business that needs 14 hours a day… Add into that the time I spend researching issues and trying to get media coverage pro-actively and it’s a bloody good job I get by on 4 hours sleep.

We’re reactive
Yes. We are. But we’re also pro-active in talking to politicians behind the scenes, talking to the media and planning strategy. The results of this don’t always make the media, but they are real never the less.

We’re scattergun
If that’s the same as fighting on a lot of different fronts, then yes – fair comment again. But there are an awful lot of fronts on which to fight.

We’re right wing
Sorry – no. I most certainly didn’t vote Tory in the last one, and I don’t have any political allegiance. I realize the ABD can appear right wing simply because we believe the less a government interferes, the better. But we have no political masters nor any political alliances.

We’re over-the-top
Yes. Guilty as charged. Some of our language has been ill-advised, ranting and rabid. I’m trying to change that – and think there has been a reasonable amount of success. Read PRs from five years ago and compare them with today. It ain’t right yet, but we’ve come a long way.

We’re too pro-car
You know, I think that’s right – at least in our outward expression. It’s rather ironic that I don’t even own a car and haven’t for a year now. I cycle most places or use a motorcycle. For me, a car isn’t worth the bother. But for a lot of people it’s an effective and vital transport tool. The key is that everyone needs a “transport toolbox” that works for them, with properly funded and effective public transport as well as cycles, motorcycles and cars.

Personally, I think people often use their cars for daft journeys, but rather than penalizing them, we should make the alternatives to the car more attractive and publicise them better. After all, why the hell take the car to the gym then spend half an hour on a stationary exercise bike?! Each transport tool has a job to do – sometimes a car works best, other times it’s a bike a bus or walking.

We’ve lost our outward momentum
From the outside it may look quiet, but the engine inside is most definitely running and running strongly. The problem is – as ever – time and funding. I have a lot of plans for this year, but I just wish I had half the time to make them happen.

There’s not much new on the website
Really? I thought our webmaster had been run off his feet lately. I think there’s a great deal of new material there, but perhaps it isn’t always easy to find at a quick glance.

E-mails don’t get replies
I hope this isn’t the case. I know I spend around an hour a day just answering e-mails from members and non-members. If you don’t get a response – let me know.

The ABD should get more involved much more with providing anti-camera statements in the press.
Like last week, you mean? Where I was interviewed twice by ITV Central News, did a couple of radio interviews and spoke to several local papers and the Mail and Express? I wish I’d had time to dig up some more stories than I did, and fervently wish I could have spent more time.


The ABD is very, very far from perfect. There are a lot of changes I want to make before everyone gets sick of me and boots me out. But I’ve been in (unpaid) post for only 6 weeks. If I could get our members to write one letter to the press for every comment they make on a bulletin board, that’d be an achievement. When I start seeing us developing and promoting positive and powerful road safety and transport policies rather than bitching about the ones inflicted on us, that’ll be an achievement.

In short, I want the ABD to be more consultative, more positive, more pro-active and broader in outlook.

If you want to get in touch with me – please do. I can’t promise an instant reply, but I read absolutely everything I get. mark.mcarthur-christie@abd.org.uk

If you have read the previous topic you may feel I've been rather critical of the ABD. However there are many things to be positive about in this post, especially the "Transport Toolbox" (I like that!). An organisation that recognizes(and is seen to regonize) that both public and private tranport has an equal and valid role to play is a very good thing, and something the likes of Transport2000 fail miserably on.

I'm a member of the ABD. so I obviously don't think it is a waste of time (or my money!), however I would make the following comments



I sure this happens but perhaps it would help to try and tell people it does a bit more?

I would suggest that targetting a few specific ones at a time would be better?


I was careful in my criticism here - the ADB does IMHO *appear* right wing - and I'm a left-wing libertarian who also likes less intervention by governments - it needs to think seriously about this.


Otherwise I like the replies you have given.

Thanks for that, Mark - as the person who started the original thread the aim was to get some constructive debate and criticism in a broadly sympathetic environment.

As I said, I'm a long-standing member and someone who contributes more than the minimum subs each year.

One further point is that I think many people are put off by the ABD's very upfront and outspoken stance on AGW. I know some of this stems from particular people's enthusiasms, but it's entirely possible to move the public stance to one of cautious scepticism without compromising one's core beliefs.

Even if the AGW theory is correct, the vast majority of the ABD's arguments about safety and the value to society of the freedom of movement of goods and people still hold good.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Yes, many thanks, Mark, for coming along. (Even if I did have to ring you up and give you a prod. )

The case you make is an excellent one. And the ABD has always had very considerable potential - mostly based on the excellent people it contains.

The potential as the leading drivers' group has never been properly fulfilled because of shortfalls in customer communication. At its simplest tha ABD has never been properly marketed.

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I was interested to read MMC's contribution, which has certainly lessened some of my concerns with the ABD. I think there is a tendency among those who campaign, or sit on one side of a fairly polarised debate to paint the 'enemy' as a caricature. On the one side, the petrol headed troglodytes, on the other, the tree hugging, lentil munching hippies. Often their is more common ground than first appearances (or preconceptions) suggest. Engaging with differing viewpoints and having a rational debate (as happily seems to occur in this forum) is surely the most productive way forward.

Just to add a minor point, I think ABD need to be careful with statements like
I'm sure it's not quite intended to be taken literally, but there are clearly some areas where government 'interference' is essential to protect the public interest.

edited

I must admit mark; I let my subscription run out last year as I felt ABD stood in the background a little too much.
I would gladly re-subscribe if I thought this wasn’t the case in the future.

I would leave the news letter in local cafe's for everyone to read, it was a popular point of discussion on many an occasion.


Regards

Martin

The more members the ABD has, the less likely it is to stand in the 'background.'

Regards,

pmb