Pulling Up - Update on the road to advanced driving
Discussion
Hi everyone, Young1 again.
Quick update on the brilliant advice you all gave me last time. I'm saving up for IAM, should be able to sign up next month or the month after. Between then I've been and continuing to read up on roadcraft, watching and reading reg local and have a few books on the way to read. I've been getting experience in where I can recently and have been trying all different types of roads and country lanes.
Currently I've identified two things that I feel really need improving in my driving. The first one is very basic so if moderators think this is the wrong forum I apologise, but pulling up. I'm either a fair distance away from the curb or scuffing my rims. I'm guessing that's something that comes with time but if anyone has any tips they would be appreciated. The second one is my perception of the road and my car. I feel like I'm aware but I have this habit of seeing signs and then not acting on them or seeing tight entrances and not slowing down for them, the linking of hazards to the applicable circumstances.
Thank you so much for all your advice last time round and I hope soon, like all of you are, I will too become an advocate of advanced driving.
Quick update on the brilliant advice you all gave me last time. I'm saving up for IAM, should be able to sign up next month or the month after. Between then I've been and continuing to read up on roadcraft, watching and reading reg local and have a few books on the way to read. I've been getting experience in where I can recently and have been trying all different types of roads and country lanes.
Currently I've identified two things that I feel really need improving in my driving. The first one is very basic so if moderators think this is the wrong forum I apologise, but pulling up. I'm either a fair distance away from the curb or scuffing my rims. I'm guessing that's something that comes with time but if anyone has any tips they would be appreciated. The second one is my perception of the road and my car. I feel like I'm aware but I have this habit of seeing signs and then not acting on them or seeing tight entrances and not slowing down for them, the linking of hazards to the applicable circumstances.
Thank you so much for all your advice last time round and I hope soon, like all of you are, I will too become an advocate of advanced driving.
This is a common way to check the distance. You have to adjust to your position in the seat and vehicle. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JYQWCWKM3I0
I would always try to establish where the wheel arch protrudes into the passenger footwell (if it does) for an understanding of wheel distance and placement too
I would always try to establish where the wheel arch protrudes into the passenger footwell (if it does) for an understanding of wheel distance and placement too
Edited by PhilAsia on Sunday 4th March 16:16
It's a tough one to describe but in essence I would be driving in a built up area, see a pedestrian crossing and not act on it. Another example would be noticing a sign indicating a tight corner and not act on it. I see the cues but dont act on them frustratingly, think that's something I'll have to learn myself though unless there are any techniques.
Young1 said:
It's a tough one to describe but in essence I would be driving in a built up area, see a pedestrian crossing and not act on it. Another example would be noticing a sign indicating a tight corner and not act on it. I see the cues but dont act on them frustratingly, think that's something I'll have to learn myself though unless there are any techniques.
slow down - even if you think you are compliant with the law, e.g. in. 30mph you may find that actually 15-20mph is better, and if you are finding that you are seeing but not acting on info, then slowing down can help...also look at spoken commentaries, ie talk, even to yourself, out aloud, mentioning each sign and then what it means - eg corner sign, I will slow down, brake by that bush, and then start to feed back in power, sign waning of junction on the right, so I will look out for joining traffic, or cars ahead slowing down.., etc.
Regarding pulling up; stop just past the point you want to park reasonably close to the kerb. Tuck in by reversing closer, even if you nudge the kerb it's likely to be the edge of the tyre rather than scrapping you alloys. If you have electric mirrors dip the nearside one first, gets even easier!
akirk said:
slow down - even if you think you are compliant with the law, e.g. in. 30mph you may find that actually 15-20mph is better, and if you are finding that you are seeing but not acting on info, then slowing down can help...
also look at spoken commentaries, ie talk, even to yourself, out aloud, mentioning each sign and then what it means - eg corner sign, I will slow down, brake by that bush, and then start to feed back in power, sign waning of junction on the right, so I will look out for joining traffic, or cars ahead slowing down.., etc.
This. Plus, perhaps selecting a lower gear (2nd at 15-20), if you haven't done so already, as a lower gear responds more swiftly. (Please correct me if anyone feels this is wrong, as I tend not to drive for economy)also look at spoken commentaries, ie talk, even to yourself, out aloud, mentioning each sign and then what it means - eg corner sign, I will slow down, brake by that bush, and then start to feed back in power, sign waning of junction on the right, so I will look out for joining traffic, or cars ahead slowing down.., etc.
As akirk has indicated, most drivers tend to drive too fast in built up areas and ignore a lot of information that demands the "what can be reasonably expected to happen" question.
Edited by PhilAsia on Monday 5th March 00:27
PhilAsia said:
perhaps selecting a lower gear (2nd at 15-20), if you haven't done so already, as a lower gear responds more swiftly. (Please correct me if anyone feels this is wrong, as I tend not to drive for economy)
It certainly can be a good idea - but depends on the car and situation - part of driving is making others comfortable - so a car screaming away at high revs in an urban area may not be appropriate, equally there are cars capable of 80+mph in 2nd gear 
so it might not slow those people down...ultimately though, while it is a good tip / technique - for those who want to progress in AD, being deliberate in how you drive is a big part of it, which means that the driver should be in control, not using tricks to force them - but choosing and being deliberate about the speed - so ultimately it is about resetting the feel / comfort factor of speed in a built up area... esp. with others pressuring you to go faster...
akirk said:
It certainly can be a good idea - but depends on the car and situation - part of driving is making others comfortable - so a car screaming away at high revs in an urban area may not be appropriate, equally there are cars capable of 80+mph in 2nd gear so it might not slow those people down...
ultimately though, while it is a good tip / technique - for those who want to progress in AD, being deliberate in how you drive is a big part of it, which means that the driver should be in control, not using tricks to force them - but choosing and being deliberate about the speed - so ultimately it is about resetting the feel / comfort factor of speed in a built up area... esp. with others pressuring you to go faster...
Point taken, but not quite what I had I mind. so it might not slow those people down...ultimately though, while it is a good tip / technique - for those who want to progress in AD, being deliberate in how you drive is a big part of it, which means that the driver should be in control, not using tricks to force them - but choosing and being deliberate about the speed - so ultimately it is about resetting the feel / comfort factor of speed in a built up area... esp. with others pressuring you to go faster...
I was tootling along the lines of a more responsive gear and would be more obvious in the modulation of gas phase and had not thought to include a top fuel dragster in the mix!
PhilAsia said:
akirk said:
It certainly can be a good idea - but depends on the car and situation - part of driving is making others comfortable - so a car screaming away at high revs in an urban area may not be appropriate, equally there are cars capable of 80+mph in 2nd gear so it might not slow those people down...
ultimately though, while it is a good tip / technique - for those who want to progress in AD, being deliberate in how you drive is a big part of it, which means that the driver should be in control, not using tricks to force them - but choosing and being deliberate about the speed - so ultimately it is about resetting the feel / comfort factor of speed in a built up area... esp. with others pressuring you to go faster...
Point taken, but not quite what I had I mind. so it might not slow those people down...ultimately though, while it is a good tip / technique - for those who want to progress in AD, being deliberate in how you drive is a big part of it, which means that the driver should be in control, not using tricks to force them - but choosing and being deliberate about the speed - so ultimately it is about resetting the feel / comfort factor of speed in a built up area... esp. with others pressuring you to go faster...
I was tootling along the lines of a more responsive gear and would be more obvious in the modulation of gas phase and had not thought to include a top fuel dragster in the mix!
fair points!
For pulling over on the near side......try to pull over a little more gradually ( almost like changing a lane on a d/c or motorway. try to aim to be about no more than 30cm from the kerb. When you next park up make sure car is straight between 10 and 30 cm from the kerb, keeping both eyes open, look down at the kerb in front of you over the car and see at what point the kerb appears over the bonnet/wipers, so when you next park up try to get kerb to same position. Coming in slower helps. I should imagine your driving instructor would have tried to use this method until you got used to the width of his/her car.
On reading warning signs etc... as you see them ahead, read them out loud to yourself (helps to do this on your own to avoid sounding mad), do a mirrors check, check speed, and adjust direction/speed/position as necessary, giving yourself commentary will help......if you are still talking about the sign after you have passed it, then you were perhaps seeing it too late, or driving too fast, distracted, talking?
A great tip is reading the sign "SLOW" on the road, read it as meaning "SPEED LOW OBSERVE WARNING"........you may already be going slow enough for the hazard ahead, but as you go over it check your mirrors and speed, it is very often written on the road next to a hazard warning sign advising you what you may have to "slow" down for. The sign is advisory, you should take it as also suggesting consider the weather, road surface, other road users, your ability, the ability of other road users (usually crap!), your vehicles abilities, your sight line, to then tackle the hazard.
Can you stop safely on your side of the road, in the distance that is clear in front of you? if you can't your going to fast, unable to take in the road signs, and adjust position/speed/gear maintaining control
consider the word "COAST"
CONCENTRATE on the drive....not the girl in a boob tube and hot pants
OBSERVATION look to the limit of your way ahead looking to the far, near, close, and behind
ANTICIPATION consider the "what if's" (we drive defensively)
SPACE give your self a decent gap between yourself and the vehicle in front, control the numpty tailgating you behind by increasing your gap to car in front.....this gives you
TIME....time to consider best options on what is going on in front of you....if your too close to the vehicle in front and he brakes....you are a "REACTIVE" driver, you have no option but to slow/brake, if you have a decent gap depending on view, reaction time, grip, position of your vehicle, how close vehicle is behind you have options you could
1. keep gas on
2. lift a little on gas
3. lift off and engine brake
4. brake/gear change to "gear for the speed"
5. position vehicle to take advantage of the space you have use of so as to use 1-4
depending on what time and space you have in front of you having an option is always best, you will be a smoother driver, find your journeys are actually faster as your average speed will be higher, journey time shorter, fuel saved, and safer
good luck
On reading warning signs etc... as you see them ahead, read them out loud to yourself (helps to do this on your own to avoid sounding mad), do a mirrors check, check speed, and adjust direction/speed/position as necessary, giving yourself commentary will help......if you are still talking about the sign after you have passed it, then you were perhaps seeing it too late, or driving too fast, distracted, talking?
A great tip is reading the sign "SLOW" on the road, read it as meaning "SPEED LOW OBSERVE WARNING"........you may already be going slow enough for the hazard ahead, but as you go over it check your mirrors and speed, it is very often written on the road next to a hazard warning sign advising you what you may have to "slow" down for. The sign is advisory, you should take it as also suggesting consider the weather, road surface, other road users, your ability, the ability of other road users (usually crap!), your vehicles abilities, your sight line, to then tackle the hazard.
Can you stop safely on your side of the road, in the distance that is clear in front of you? if you can't your going to fast, unable to take in the road signs, and adjust position/speed/gear maintaining control
consider the word "COAST"
CONCENTRATE on the drive....not the girl in a boob tube and hot pants
OBSERVATION look to the limit of your way ahead looking to the far, near, close, and behind
ANTICIPATION consider the "what if's" (we drive defensively)
SPACE give your self a decent gap between yourself and the vehicle in front, control the numpty tailgating you behind by increasing your gap to car in front.....this gives you
TIME....time to consider best options on what is going on in front of you....if your too close to the vehicle in front and he brakes....you are a "REACTIVE" driver, you have no option but to slow/brake, if you have a decent gap depending on view, reaction time, grip, position of your vehicle, how close vehicle is behind you have options you could
1. keep gas on
2. lift a little on gas
3. lift off and engine brake
4. brake/gear change to "gear for the speed"
5. position vehicle to take advantage of the space you have use of so as to use 1-4
depending on what time and space you have in front of you having an option is always best, you will be a smoother driver, find your journeys are actually faster as your average speed will be higher, journey time shorter, fuel saved, and safer
good luck
watchnut said:
A great tip is reading the sign "SLOW" on the road, read it as meaning "SPEED LOW OBSERVE WARNING"........you may already be going slow enough for the hazard ahead
Generally found where two hazards follow in close proximity...If you're in Wales and see "ARAF", it means slow. Remember it as "Am, Really Am, F****d"...
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