bose-x
I agree 200% with all you say about the IMC Rating, it's great.
I saw a survey on some UK GA website a while ago on this; 60% of several hundred IMCR pilots admitted to flying in IMC en-route without an RIS.
I have no problem with doing it if I have to but won't do it within say 10 miles of an airfield with an IAP unless talking to them..
Collisions are very rare, probably because there are so few aircraft flying in actual IMC for long periods. Without an autopilot (which very few pilots have) it is just a way to get quickly knackered - even the most experienced pilots say this. Most people get on top ASAP.
The great thing about being able to fly in IMC is that a lot of the time one is legally VFR (in sight of surface, just about) but practically IMC. In this respect the IMCR is very useful outside the UK too, of course.