Who's Who: Start Here.
Discussion
To help out people looking for answers to questions and contributors to the Forum I thought that a thread with [i]a[/i] post from each contributor and something about their driving background would be useful.
So I'll start:
"Don".
IAM pass a few years ago.
Then did RoSPA and got a "Gold".
I "Observe" (instruct) for the IAM and am usually good for any explanations people need.
I lecture for the local group - we do two courses a year open to the public - not just new IAM joiners.
How's that?
Sound off the rest of you!
So I'll start:
"Don".
IAM pass a few years ago.
Then did RoSPA and got a "Gold".
I "Observe" (instruct) for the IAM and am usually good for any explanations people need.
I lecture for the local group - we do two courses a year open to the public - not just new IAM joiners.
How's that?
Sound off the rest of you!
Driving 17 years 
on bikes and in cars, and have completed a four day Ride Drive advanced course in Motorcycling.
The RideDrive course was very real-world and flexible. I have this preconception of IAM as being very rigid which has put me off it. One of my colleagues did RoSPA and it too seemed rigid.
Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick, but I'd be more likely to do something which would be engaging and fun, rather than arguing whether gear-change/braking overlap is a good idea (and I do heel-and-toe).
on bikes and in cars, and have completed a four day Ride Drive advanced course in Motorcycling. The RideDrive course was very real-world and flexible. I have this preconception of IAM as being very rigid which has put me off it. One of my colleagues did RoSPA and it too seemed rigid.
Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick, but I'd be more likely to do something which would be engaging and fun, rather than arguing whether gear-change/braking overlap is a good idea (and I do heel-and-toe).
Hi my name is Leo and I'm an alco....sorry advanced driver
Been driving for 16 years and passed my IAM test back in April and have been to a few local meetings although none recently (NELE). I'm normally fairly outspoken when I do go.
I suppose I'm a sunday driver as I commute by tube during the week so my driving is either for fun or family duties.
I have completely failed to persuade any friends/ family or colleagues to take the test as well.
>> Edited by leosayer on Thursday 1st September 20:27
Been driving for 16 years and passed my IAM test back in April and have been to a few local meetings although none recently (NELE). I'm normally fairly outspoken when I do go.
I suppose I'm a sunday driver as I commute by tube during the week so my driving is either for fun or family duties.
I have completely failed to persuade any friends/ family or colleagues to take the test as well.
>> Edited by leosayer on Thursday 1st September 20:27
Have used a spell check und take longer to post - as really cannot spell silly little words. Am trying to keep little word out of post now as too many throw ups to correct
Am Wildy Cat (actually name on birth certificate und so on --- Vrenchen. If pronounce properly - even sound like engine revving
) So Liebchen...
Papa was amateur rally driver und my Uncles likewise. Spend my childhood watching them on track - so get feel for speed and cars.
Spend some early years drivin on private land too - at age 10 onward und Papa lsent us to play on go-karts and we were encouraged to build wooden cars und go-karts or bogeys.
Age 10 onward - help Papa play with cars in garage and he teach me all about mechanics and importance of understanding engine as part of the drive experience.
Age 18 - eligible to hold German L-plates. Papa test my mechanics by making me take engine apart und put back together again
Pass german test - first attempt. Written German test has started to inlcude basic car mechanics and first aid as well as Highway Code, hazard awareness and so on. Test also required me to drive on A/bahn and also a requirement for one formal lesson in twighlight hours prior to test - and test is longer than UK one. Age 19 - take UK IAM test and age 21 take RoSPA and RoADA tests - awarded a Gold standard.
Disaster strike - you all know story - aged 26. Was off road for 5 years or so - had to learn to walk again.
When recovered - took all the above driving tests again - to be sure I had the reaction reflexes und was fit enough to do so. Got another Gold standard pass
Enjoy driving - track days /commutes to work/ pleasure trips on holidays.
Ride bicycle too sometimes und sometimes ride a horse.
IAM test 1983, Rospa same year, not Gold that first time but got there later! Was an observer from 1983 until 1996, 50-odd (some very odd!) candidates, no fails. Also taught about a dozen observers to silver and gold Rospa, and a few on how to teach observers (if you're following this!)
Stopped doing IAM / Rospa in 1996 when other interests just kind of took over.
So not up to date with current thinking, I drive (most of the time) to the 10-year-old Roadcraft.
Stopped doing IAM / Rospa in 1996 when other interests just kind of took over.
So not up to date with current thinking, I drive (most of the time) to the 10-year-old Roadcraft.
Passed my IAM in May, am about to become an observer.
One of our local IAM group is also an observer for RoSPA so am looking at doing their test next. I am also interested in taking the HPC and would like to learn more about that. When I have got time I am going to learn to ride motorbikes and also do my LGV licence, mainly for fun.
I sell cars so am in and out of them all day. My new job will mean I cover over 30k miles a year just in commuting plus driving whilst at work and driving for fun.
One of our local IAM group is also an observer for RoSPA so am looking at doing their test next. I am also interested in taking the HPC and would like to learn more about that. When I have got time I am going to learn to ride motorbikes and also do my LGV licence, mainly for fun.
I sell cars so am in and out of them all day. My new job will mean I cover over 30k miles a year just in commuting plus driving whilst at work and driving for fun.
Fat Audi 80 aka Steve.
I have been driving 14 years, Clean Driving License, No additional qualifications.
Read Roadcraft and currently halfway through a 8 hours of Ridedrive training which is excellent!
I commute 80 miles daily in my Chavalier and enjoy an Audi S2 Coupe in the evenings and at weekends for a more "involved" drive....
I love
>> Edited by Fat Audi 80 on Thursday 1st September 14:18
I have been driving 14 years, Clean Driving License, No additional qualifications.
Read Roadcraft and currently halfway through a 8 hours of Ridedrive training which is excellent!
I commute 80 miles daily in my Chavalier and enjoy an Audi S2 Coupe in the evenings and at weekends for a more "involved" drive....
I love
>> Edited by Fat Audi 80 on Thursday 1st September 14:18
Did a half day Ride Drive yesterday. Most of it initially at lower speeds than I was expecting, showing me the 'Roadcraft' lines, as opposed to my 'racing' lines on the road, some excellent tips on how to read the road ahead. I always thought that I was very good at looking ahead for problems or which way the road went but the Ride Drive chap (lets call him Duncan, coz that was his name 
) opened my eyes to a few things and got me looking not just down the road, but way across fields in some cases. We picked up the pace through the morning and today I swapped the cerb for the Audi and practiced my technique on the way to work this morning
Also, I apparantly am/was doing everything (for cornering) too late and all at the same time. Brakes/gearchange/brakes again/steering. Got it in the end
Duncan reccomended I read RoadCraft
Booking in for a full day soon to include track/airfield work and hopefully an hour on the skidpan at Goodwood.
) opened my eyes to a few things and got me looking not just down the road, but way across fields in some cases. We picked up the pace through the morning and today I swapped the cerb for the Audi and practiced my technique on the way to work this morning Also, I apparantly am/was doing everything (for cornering) too late and all at the same time. Brakes/gearchange/brakes again/steering. Got it in the end
Duncan reccomended I read RoadCraft
Booking in for a full day soon to include track/airfield work and hopefully an hour on the skidpan at Goodwood.
I've been driving for 17 years and passed my Advanced Test 18 months ago in Guildford, but as I now live in Bicester I haven't kept in contact with the group.
The interesting thing is that since I've become pregnant, my hormones keep trying to turn me into a typical woman driver, which is very scary !!
The interesting thing is that since I've become pregnant, my hormones keep trying to turn me into a typical woman driver, which is very scary !!
Corinne. Been driving for 22 years (can that be right?). Passed IAM in 1997 (that reminds me - I owe them my subs 
)
Until I took voluntary redundancy this summer, was driving about 30k miles a year in the daily driver and another ~7 in the Griff.
Since I've been driving less, I think it's noticeable how my observation has atrophied and I have to do a commentary all the time in order to reduce mistakes, so this forum appears at the perfect time for me.
22 years (can that be right?). Passed IAM in 1997 (that reminds me - I owe them my subs ) Until I took voluntary redundancy this summer, was driving about 30k miles a year in the daily driver and another ~7 in the Griff.
Since I've been driving less, I think it's noticeable how my observation has atrophied and I have to do a commentary all the time in order to reduce mistakes, so this forum appears at the perfect time for me.
My name is Brian, but you can call me, bor. For twenty years I've been openly "IAMosexual".
Past first IAM test in 1987 ?, second IAM test was a company requirement and followed a week's instruction from a retired plod ("Terry", IIRC), including track & skid pan work. At 16yrs old, "Roadcraft" was my porn.
I was, and still am, intrigued by driving as a skill, less from a safety perspective, more from a PH view.
Due for additional instruction in 2006.
Past first IAM test in 1987 ?, second IAM test was a company requirement and followed a week's instruction from a retired plod ("Terry", IIRC), including track & skid pan work. At 16yrs old, "Roadcraft" was my porn.
I was, and still am, intrigued by driving as a skill, less from a safety perspective, more from a PH view.
Due for additional instruction in 2006.
NiceCupOfTea / Martin.
Passed my test at 17 in 1992, drove a fair bit in parents' cars for a year or 2. Then off to University so, drove less and less until I got myself into a vicious circle of not wanting to drive, even though I loved it and wanted a car.
Finally got to the stage where I could justify and afford a car in 2000 at 25. Big learning curve at first, all the basics were still there without any of the road sense. Baptism of fire in London traffic! Have been driving 12-15000 miles a year since.
Found myself getting more and more critical of my driving and really wanting to be good. Did my IAM test last September and found it fairly easy, but constantly get frustrated with myself and my flaws.
Wanted to become an observer but my local group have been a bit rubbish about it, only really getting in touch earlier this summer - unfortunately I have been unable to entertain the idea as have been very very busy - hopefully soon.
Sadly, most of my driving is town start-stop traffic jam stuff which tends to make me drive my worst.
Good points: observant, system of car control pretty automatic, aware of what I should be doing most of the time, can be very smooth.
Bad points: easily riled, often drive too fast, out of practice at country lane driving, no experience of skid pans/how to handle a car beyond the limits, easily distracted.
Would love to do my CBT and ride but wife has forbidden it as she thinks I'll end up killing myself! I'm very much more aware of the plight of bikers as my brother rides and is an advanced motorcyclist.
3 points on my licence (PC30) for some silly parking infraction due to an overzealous bib and me being in the wrong place at the wrong time (still not sure of the relevance of a stationary parking violation to my ability to drive, oh well
)
Succeeded in getting my brother interested in IAM (or at least the bike version) although he would probably have done it anyway. My dad's taken an interest too. No joy with my wife!
How to best sum up my feelings about my driving at the moment? Frustration. I know I can drive well when I want to, but I am lazy and can't be bothered half the time. I get angry at other people taking the p155 on the road and blatantly making much better progress than me. I am one of those people who is always running late which doesn't help. Part of the problem is that living within the M25 most of my driving is dull dull dull, and I just don't have time to do the hour+ drive to get to some decent roads and get it out of my system. Doesn't help that I feel I have very little support - the group has meetings once a month but they seem to be about everything except cars and driving
<slumps back in chair, emotionally exhausted, cracks open another beer
>
>> Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Thursday 1st September 23:50
Passed my test at 17 in 1992, drove a fair bit in parents' cars for a year or 2. Then off to University so, drove less and less until I got myself into a vicious circle of not wanting to drive, even though I loved it and wanted a car.
Finally got to the stage where I could justify and afford a car in 2000 at 25. Big learning curve at first, all the basics were still there without any of the road sense. Baptism of fire in London traffic! Have been driving 12-15000 miles a year since.
Found myself getting more and more critical of my driving and really wanting to be good. Did my IAM test last September and found it fairly easy, but constantly get frustrated with myself and my flaws.
Wanted to become an observer but my local group have been a bit rubbish about it, only really getting in touch earlier this summer - unfortunately I have been unable to entertain the idea as have been very very busy - hopefully soon.
Sadly, most of my driving is town start-stop traffic jam stuff which tends to make me drive my worst.
Good points: observant, system of car control pretty automatic, aware of what I should be doing most of the time, can be very smooth.
Bad points: easily riled, often drive too fast, out of practice at country lane driving, no experience of skid pans/how to handle a car beyond the limits, easily distracted.
Would love to do my CBT and ride but wife has forbidden it as she thinks I'll end up killing myself! I'm very much more aware of the plight of bikers as my brother rides and is an advanced motorcyclist.
3 points on my licence (PC30) for some silly parking infraction due to an overzealous bib and me being in the wrong place at the wrong time (still not sure of the relevance of a stationary parking violation to my ability to drive, oh well
) Succeeded in getting my brother interested in IAM (or at least the bike version) although he would probably have done it anyway. My dad's taken an interest too. No joy with my wife!
How to best sum up my feelings about my driving at the moment? Frustration. I know I can drive well when I want to, but I am lazy and can't be bothered half the time. I get angry at other people taking the p155 on the road and blatantly making much better progress than me. I am one of those people who is always running late which doesn't help. Part of the problem is that living within the M25 most of my driving is dull dull dull, and I just don't have time to do the hour+ drive to get to some decent roads and get it out of my system. Doesn't help that I feel I have very little support - the group has meetings once a month but they seem to be about everything except cars and driving
<slumps back in chair, emotionally exhausted, cracks open another beer
> >> Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Thursday 1st September 23:50
Been driving for 14 years (blimey, I feel old!), having passed my test 2 months after turning 17.
Passed my IAM test in November of last year, but haven't heard a dickie bird from either the IAM or my local group since (except a form asking me to sign up to gift aid).
I think my driving has improved noticably since doing IAM, but I must admit there are elements of Roadcraft which I largely ignore in my daily driving, most noticably strict adherence to the speed limit and not "overlapping", the latter of which I find cumbersome and wholly unnecessary.
I have also done a one day course with www.carlimits.com, which was excellent, and enjoy the occassional airfield and track day.
Passed my IAM test in November of last year, but haven't heard a dickie bird from either the IAM or my local group since (except a form asking me to sign up to gift aid).
I think my driving has improved noticably since doing IAM, but I must admit there are elements of Roadcraft which I largely ignore in my daily driving, most noticably strict adherence to the speed limit and not "overlapping", the latter of which I find cumbersome and wholly unnecessary.
I have also done a one day course with www.carlimits.com, which was excellent, and enjoy the occassional airfield and track day.
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