IAM RoadSmart
873. Hugh German
Hugh German, aged 86, from Bolton, has volunteered for a road safety charity for more than 50 years, developing and delivering a safer driving course that has been taken by over 2,000 motorists.
In 1966, Hugh started volunteering for ‘IAM RoadSmart’, (formerly known as the ‘Institute of Advanced Motorists’), the UK’s leading road safety charity. He has volunteered with the charity ever since, serving as treasurer, auditor, event organiser, publicity officer and Chairman. He established the Bolton branch of the group in 1970, where he implemented the speed awareness and alcohol awareness courses for members of the public and businesses. Praised by the Manchester Police for his work, Hugh has sought to make the roads of Greater Manchester a safer place and is estimated as reducing accident rates in his area by as much as 38 per cent.
In a personal letter to Hugh, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Your creation of a safer driving course which has been taken by over 2,000 motorists is a remarkable achievement. Through over 50 years of volunteering for ‘IAM RoadSmart’, you should be very proud of how you have helped your community improve their driving skills, and in turn increased the safety of the roads in Greater Manchester.”
Hugh Said:
“I was both surprised and delighted to learn of this award for voluntary work which, I have to say, I found very rewarding and most enjoyable. Being able to pass on my love of driving to others and seeing them not only become safer drivers but also getting so much more pleasure from it has been a privilege.”