Association of British Drivers

The Association of British Drivers (ABD) is a libertarian transport lobby group which claims to speak as "the voice of the driver" on a wide range of driving related issues such as opposition to road tolls and road tolls and congestion charging. On its website the ABD states that they advocate "environmental policies based upon sound science rather than politics and hysteria."

Their environmental spokesman is Paul Biggs, a widely published climate change skeptic.

Parliamentary advisory council on transport safety (PACTS)
The ABD is a member of the parliamentary advisory council on transport safety (PACTS). When questioned about the ABD, the council's executive director, Rob Gifford, commented: "They are basically libertarians. They turn up at our meetings and make a nuisance of themselves".

Speed Cameras
The organisation has become ubiquitous in media debates on transport in Britain, particularly on the issue of speed cameras, even claiming that the cameras "cause road deaths". The head of road policing for the Association of Chief Police Officers, Richard Brunstrom, is a leading advocate of speed cameras: "Some of the attacks by groups like the Association of British Drivers are so clearly crazy that it helps to cement an alliance in your favour. It's like having the BNP come out against you." ] Brunstrom is regarded by many as an eccentric and the ABD have a web page dedicated to him. John Stalker (ex-Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police) once said:"What have the good people of North Wales done to deserve a Chief constable like Richard Brunstrom?"

Climate Change
On its website the ABD states that "have you noticed how most car orientated websites now have a section on the ubiquitous 'environment'? You could be forgiven for thinking it is a compulsory subject. It is in fact the latest form of political correctness. Green activists have succeeded in brainwashing many people into accepting that the 'environment' is the new god before whom we must all bow down in submission. Well our environment page is different. Our page does not use the 'environment' as a weapon against drivers, our page tells the truth. Find out how emotive scaremongering about pollution and man-made 'global warming' are being used to intimidate you out of your car."

The ABD is a vocal denier of climate change research. Paul Biggs publishes a blog and contributes to many discussions, both on the web and in print.

Constitution
The ABD was incorporated as "Pro-Motor", company number 02945728, on 5 July 1994.

Registered office
PRO-MOTOR 4 King Square Bridgewater Somerset TA6 3DG

Contact details
The Association of British Drivers PO Box 2228 Kenley Surrey CR8 5ZT

Web: http://www.abd.org.uk/ Telephone: 07000 781544 Fax: 0870-136-2370 Press line: 0870-444-2535

Related SourceWatch articles

 * COP15
 * Global warming skeptics

External articles

 * Andrew Clark, "They call themselves the voice of the driver. But who do they really represent?", The Guardian, 3 February 2004
 * BBC Top Gear, "Fighting for your rights - the ABD", Top Gear, 12 March 2004
 * David Pallister, John Vidal and Kevin Maguire, "Life after Living Marxism: Fighting for freedom - to offend, outrage and question everything", The Guardian, 8 July 2000 (References the ABD. It should be noted that the suggestion of a link between the ABD and Living Marxism was based on two people having the same surname.)
 * Companies House, Pro-Motor Company Details, accessed 12 September 2004
 * Association of British Drivers