The Isle of Man Advanced Motorists believe driving is the most dangerous daily event we do. This week they took reporter Sam Turton for a spin.

The Isle of Man is for many people the motorsport capital of the world, yet despite this only about 250 residents have completed an Advanced Driving course. Mike Dunn and his fellow volunteers want to change this.

The Isle of Man Advanced Motorists is the island’s branch of I Am RoadSmart, a charity based in the UK which for more than 60 years has made it its mission to make roads safer through improving driver and motorbike rider skills. Courses cost £149 from start to finish.

This year, the group that reformed in the island 12 years ago, is increasing awareness of themselves and hopefully making the roads safer.

Mike Dunn, a retired salesman for a brewery, has lived in Onchan for more than 20 years. And having achieved his masters test certificate, he is possibly one of the most qualified drivers in the Isle of Man.

Mr Dunn reckons he could have clocked up one million miles, mainly up and down the M5, M6 and M4.

He said: ’This course is basically road safety, it teaches people to drive well with Roadcraft, which has been the standard issue police drivers’ handbook for a number of years.

’Driving is the most dangerous thing we do on a day to day basis, so pull the odds back in your favour by reducing the risk to yourself and your vehicle.’

To demonstrate what he means by this, we drove through Onchan, down to Port Jack, out to Groudle, through to Lonan before taking the Creg-ny-Baa back road to join the mountain and coming back down into Onchan.

The first time we did this, Mr Dunn stayed largely quiet, just saying where he wanted to go and studying my driving. It felt somewhat like a weird driving test.

Then he explained where he thought I could improve and we followed the same route again, this time with him offering advice in the same stern manner a PE teacher advises you to run faster in cross-country.

Approaching a bend in the road was met with ’Don’t even think of touching that brake, adjust your position’.

He pointed out other bad driving habits I’ve picked up such as driving with one hand on the wheel and changing into fourth too early.

Yet most unlike that PE teacher, Mr Dunn’s influence was immediately noticeable with my driving becoming smoother and an altering of my road position.

These little changes grow into more obvious advantages when driving.

By altering your position, you can reduce the amount of times it becomes necessary to move the steering wheel as you take more of a straight line through bends - but only when of course it is safe to do so.

Doing this will not only make you safer, but reducing the amount of turning and braking will lessen wear and tear on your car and give you greater gear control.

Reducing your braking will lead to less fuel consumption meaning it’s also good for your pocket.

Mr Dunn, as well as providing some practial tips in the car, told me how the course will educate you on how you think about driving and road safety in general.

He offered the following advice for all road users: ’To calculate your feet per second, take your MPH and add 50%. Forget the comfort of air bags or other safety devices, drive like there’s a sharp 9ins spike sticking out of your steering wheel - then you’ll drive ever so safely and smoothly.’

Mr Dunn also advised that residents should study the Manx Highway Code as it is different to the UK version.

At the Jubilee Oak junction, Braddan Bridge, we shared a joke about issues Manx drivers have with roundabouts. He explained that while you should give way to the right, the first car at a roundabout can take priority providing it is safe to do so.

He advised drivers to always follow the two second rule. He said: ’I know it’s a cliche but it seriously can make the difference and if you’re still not feeling comfortable, drop back a little further from the car in front.

’Always try to stick to third gear when in a 30mph zone. The car will actually run smoother and when you move into higher speed zones, as you often do in the island, you will have the edge on someone who has already moved into fourth.

’And watch how you approach roundabouts. People sometimes use the wrong gear and are having to change midway through a junction.’

I Am RoadSmart claims their courses have improved the driving of 99% of people who took it, and 97% of bikers now found riding more enjoyable. More than 90% of drivers and bikers also said it improved their awareness on the roads.

’The local group is all run by volunteers who don’t receive any pay for this work, they do it simply to improve road safety,’ Mike said.

Besides safety, there are other benefits of passing the course.

There is a dedicated members’ insurance policy with more 90% of members said to save on annual premiums. There are also various new car discount arrangements, currently with Mercedes, Volvo, Fiat Group and Suzuki.

The group has a new honorary president who will be familiar to many in the island, former police inspector Derek Flint.

He said: ’I was really pleased to be asked to take on the role of honorary president as I had worked with the Isle of Man Advanced Motorists many times when I led Roads Policing.

’We had exactly the same objectives - improving standards and reducing casualties, and it is great to be able to carry on that work today.

’This year, our aim is to work really hard to encourage more people to join us, and come on the courses we offer.’

Mr Dunn finished my lesson by explaining what the course means to him. He said: ’If I park in a space a few inches bigger than my car, I’m a great driver, but not a good motorist.

’This is what the course is about - learning not about how to drive but how to be a good and safe motorist, or motorcyclist.’ To sign up for the course, or for more information, call 423555, go online to www.iamroadsmart.com/groups/iomam or search Isle of Man Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists on Facebook.