A group of driving enthusiasts aims to improve standards of driving in Oxfordshire.

The Oxford Group of Advanced Motorists, which is affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, has a new forward-looking image and has elected Harold Metcalf as the new chairman.

He said: "The Institute of Advanced Motorists is the only organisation devoted 100 per cent to road safety and nothing else.

"There are other organisations where road safety is a part of their curriculum promoting safety aspects in all aspects of life. We are 100 per cent involved in road safety.

"The reason we are so keen on educating drivers and promoting safety on the roads is that road crashes in the UK cost £14bn a year and the number of road crashes in one week equals the total number of casualties throughout the Falklands."

Mr Metcalf also said that:

*Traffic accidents account for almost half the total number of all accidents in Britain

*Road crashes are the highest single cause of death and injury among young adults

*One third of all road crashes are rear end shunts -- where drivers follow too close to the vehicle in front.

He said the group would be forming a young sub-group to be called "Alpha 2".

Membership of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, which is a registered charity and non-profit making, costs £75 and is open to car drivers and motorcyclists.

For that, members receive associate membership of the Oxford Group for a year; the Advanced Driving Test fee; the Institute's driving manual, "Pass Your Advanced Test"; a year's full membership of the IAM after the candidate has passed the advanced test and tuition by an experienced 'observer' until he or she is considered ready for test.

Based at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, the Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 8pm.

Further information can be obtained by calling 07730 166294.