Discussion
If you are driving the TVR, a few minutes might be spent in prayer...
Good Luck - hope you enjoy it!
BOF
On the first drive, I generally tell them to drive normally and I will look for any aspects that clearly need adjusting...I give all the drivers this very basic print out - it will get a few laughs and criticism from some of the professionals here, but I find it helps.
"POWER CHECK.
Petrol - fuel for journey.
Oil
Water - radiator and screenwashers
Electrics - battery and lights
Rubber - tyres and wipers
OK to say ‘Power check done last night/this morning‘…provided you have done it.
CABIN CHECK.
Handbrake on
Gears in neutral
Seat, mirrors and headrests adjusted
Pressure on the footbrake
Looking around - starting engine
Seatbelts on - check passengers have belts on (After starting engine!)
Moving off with mirror and shoulder check.
BRAKE TEST
Off road/ Tesco car park/ at start of Test
Speed up to 10/15mph
Check mirrors
“Stand by for moving brake test”
Mirrors
Brakes are OK
WHY START THIS WAY?
You have shown your interest in Advanced Driving, which is based on Roadcraft, the Police Manual of Advanced Driving.
Police drivers, like all of us, are of different sizes, maybe get a different car every time they go to work - the driver before will not have reset the mirrors or the seats for the next driver, might have been too tired to check the fuel or report that the wipers were not perfect.
Keep in mind that the Class 1 Police driver, serving or retired, testing you, has been tested maybe every year and is aware of the fact that you are nervous - these procedures get you in to Test mode and help you to relax. You can only make a first impression one time!
HANDS
Hands should be at the TEN to TWO or QUARTER to THREE position at all times except when reversing, but including waiting at stop lights or in traffic.
Feed the wheel through your hands - start by PULLING in the direction of the turn by moving your hand to the 12 o' clock position - see PYADT Page 22 or Roadcraft page 74.
Gear changes should be made at 'decision time' - one gear change should be all that is required - hand should not rest on the gear lever - elbows should not be on armrests.
OBSERVATION/COMMENTARY
It is not a requirement to do a commentary on the test. However, if you name out loud every road sign, including paint on the road surface, and anything that might cause you to alter course or speed...cyclist ahead...child on pavement...car parked nearside...brake lights ahead...School sign (where is the School, have we passed it?)
it demonstrates to the Examiner that you are scanning the road from the farthest point to the nearest point you can see.
THE SYSTEM
What we are doing on this course is to introduce you to the SYSTEM - that is what you have paid for...if you do not absorb this, you have wasted £17 per word!
The SYSTEM is IPSGA...
Information (TUG - Taking, Understanding and Giving Information)
Position (Plan ahead - don't GO there - BE there)
Speed (Early and smooth adjustments using anticipation - THEN correct gear)
Gear (Select correct gear for what is NEXT depending on circumstances)
Acceleration (Information+Position phase OK?) Proceed smoothly.
The Information phase means looking in your MIRRORS about every 7 seconds and being constantly aware of what is going on around you - think BOB and TOM - inside mirror, Boy on Bike at traffic lights - outside mirror, Tit on Motorbike moving up through the queue on your offside.
Think about your signals as if you are having a conversation - no one to talk to? Don't signal...this will help you to concentrate more on the thinking part...do I need to signal?...Will anyone benefit?...as opposed to hitting the stalk and assuming you have a RIGHT to move because you have signalled."
Good Luck - hope you enjoy it!
BOF
On the first drive, I generally tell them to drive normally and I will look for any aspects that clearly need adjusting...I give all the drivers this very basic print out - it will get a few laughs and criticism from some of the professionals here, but I find it helps.
"POWER CHECK.
Petrol - fuel for journey.
Oil
Water - radiator and screenwashers
Electrics - battery and lights
Rubber - tyres and wipers
OK to say ‘Power check done last night/this morning‘…provided you have done it.
CABIN CHECK.
Handbrake on
Gears in neutral
Seat, mirrors and headrests adjusted
Pressure on the footbrake
Looking around - starting engine
Seatbelts on - check passengers have belts on (After starting engine!)
Moving off with mirror and shoulder check.
BRAKE TEST
Off road/ Tesco car park/ at start of Test
Speed up to 10/15mph
Check mirrors
“Stand by for moving brake test”
Mirrors
Brakes are OK
WHY START THIS WAY?
You have shown your interest in Advanced Driving, which is based on Roadcraft, the Police Manual of Advanced Driving.
Police drivers, like all of us, are of different sizes, maybe get a different car every time they go to work - the driver before will not have reset the mirrors or the seats for the next driver, might have been too tired to check the fuel or report that the wipers were not perfect.
Keep in mind that the Class 1 Police driver, serving or retired, testing you, has been tested maybe every year and is aware of the fact that you are nervous - these procedures get you in to Test mode and help you to relax. You can only make a first impression one time!
HANDS
Hands should be at the TEN to TWO or QUARTER to THREE position at all times except when reversing, but including waiting at stop lights or in traffic.
Feed the wheel through your hands - start by PULLING in the direction of the turn by moving your hand to the 12 o' clock position - see PYADT Page 22 or Roadcraft page 74.
Gear changes should be made at 'decision time' - one gear change should be all that is required - hand should not rest on the gear lever - elbows should not be on armrests.
OBSERVATION/COMMENTARY
It is not a requirement to do a commentary on the test. However, if you name out loud every road sign, including paint on the road surface, and anything that might cause you to alter course or speed...cyclist ahead...child on pavement...car parked nearside...brake lights ahead...School sign (where is the School, have we passed it?)
it demonstrates to the Examiner that you are scanning the road from the farthest point to the nearest point you can see.
THE SYSTEM
What we are doing on this course is to introduce you to the SYSTEM - that is what you have paid for...if you do not absorb this, you have wasted £17 per word!
The SYSTEM is IPSGA...
Information (TUG - Taking, Understanding and Giving Information)
Position (Plan ahead - don't GO there - BE there)
Speed (Early and smooth adjustments using anticipation - THEN correct gear)
Gear (Select correct gear for what is NEXT depending on circumstances)
Acceleration (Information+Position phase OK?) Proceed smoothly.
The Information phase means looking in your MIRRORS about every 7 seconds and being constantly aware of what is going on around you - think BOB and TOM - inside mirror, Boy on Bike at traffic lights - outside mirror, Tit on Motorbike moving up through the queue on your offside.
Think about your signals as if you are having a conversation - no one to talk to? Don't signal...this will help you to concentrate more on the thinking part...do I need to signal?...Will anyone benefit?...as opposed to hitting the stalk and assuming you have a RIGHT to move because you have signalled."
Edited by BOF on Saturday 7th June 17:04
First session will be mostly concerned with introductions and administration. The Observer should ask to see your licence, MOT and insurance and find out a bit about you, what brought you to the IAM and what you want from the course.
If you do get to drive, you'll be looking at the basics: System, observation and use of the controls. Once these are in place, you can move on to the good stuff.
If you haven't done it yet, study the System in the 'How to be a Better Driver' book.
If you do get to drive, you'll be looking at the basics: System, observation and use of the controls. Once these are in place, you can move on to the good stuff.
If you haven't done it yet, study the System in the 'How to be a Better Driver' book.
Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Saturday 7th June 15:45
I've been observing for 15 years and my approach is somewhat different from others who've posted.
I don't give people handouts or worry about how they use the controls. On a first drive, I really just want to listen (hard, really really hard) to what the associate says about their own driving and what they expect AD to be like. Their motivation and expectations are really important. I have to build my approach around them if I want them to "own" the skills they'll develop.
Then I watch them drive for a bit. Without exception, all my associates have needed to start by lifting their vision off the tarmac, extending it to the horizon and seeing what that does to their driving. The answer is usually "quite a lot!". Sometimes, if it won't put people off, I commentate for a couple of minutes from the passenger seat and ask them to compare their focal point with mine. But that's as formal as it gets. My observation is pretty average, as those who've driven with me will attest, but I've still been able to make a big difference to all the AD novices I've sat with.
Do people really try to work on steering, positioning and system all in the first drive? That sounds like a lot.
I don't give people handouts or worry about how they use the controls. On a first drive, I really just want to listen (hard, really really hard) to what the associate says about their own driving and what they expect AD to be like. Their motivation and expectations are really important. I have to build my approach around them if I want them to "own" the skills they'll develop.
Then I watch them drive for a bit. Without exception, all my associates have needed to start by lifting their vision off the tarmac, extending it to the horizon and seeing what that does to their driving. The answer is usually "quite a lot!". Sometimes, if it won't put people off, I commentate for a couple of minutes from the passenger seat and ask them to compare their focal point with mine. But that's as formal as it gets. My observation is pretty average, as those who've driven with me will attest, but I've still been able to make a big difference to all the AD novices I've sat with.
Do people really try to work on steering, positioning and system all in the first drive? That sounds like a lot.
jamesallport said:
Do people really try to work on steering, positioning and system all in the first drive? That sounds like a lot.
I check paperwork and eyesight - I've never met this person before and I'm letting him/her drive me!"Why do you want to do this?" a bit like you.
He/she drives me round a route I have, to look at how they drive/what they observe.
No manoeuvres.
Debrief and sort out the next drive. Give them some homework (read the books/watch a DVD).
I suppose the fixed length course groups are a bit more compressed, but they run theory courses first?
I was in a slightly different position as my local group do a fixed length course. The sessions were an admin/theory session then a drive. The theory sessions were generally ~25mins, and included a DVD. The sessions (in order) were:
- The system
- Driving Plans
- Motorway Driving
- Summary Session
Vaux said:
I suppose the fixed length course groups are a bit more compressed, but they run theory courses first?
The mid-Kent group do; typically a <30min session including a DVD with an accompanying handout which raised some very thought provoking points. The presentation side of it was substantially less helpful though as it concentrated on the basics, I suppose they need to assume that you haven't read that section of the book yet which, judging by some of the questions asked, many people hadn't!ha ha
erh i dont have a tvr, thats abit out of my reach for a 19 year old....would be nice tho. its more like the tvr vauxhal astra etate! wooo...
so genrally the first drive is a introductory thing?
i've read through most of 'How to be a Better Driver' book that the iam sent and i have read through some of roadcraft before, but have lost the book due to a redecorated room.
thanks for all the replys
erh i dont have a tvr, thats abit out of my reach for a 19 year old....would be nice tho. its more like the tvr vauxhal astra etate! wooo...
so genrally the first drive is a introductory thing?
i've read through most of 'How to be a Better Driver' book that the iam sent and i have read through some of roadcraft before, but have lost the book due to a redecorated room.
thanks for all the replys
<<Then I watch them drive for a bit. Without exception, all my associates have needed to start by lifting their vision off the tarmac, extending it to the horizon and seeing what that does to their driving. The answer is usually "quite a lot!". Sometimes, if it won't put people off, I commentate for a couple of minutes from the passenger seat and ask them to compare their focal point with mine. But that's as formal as it gets. My observation is pretty average, as those who've driven with me will attest, but I've still been able to make a big difference to all the AD novices I've sat with >>
Someone with the spot on approach ! Observation, anticipation and early reaction are in my view are the most important aspects of better driving. Feel safe with the basic driving and virtually everything else is just polishing up technique. Being too pedantic about system for normal driving requirements can put people off IAM and encourage bad feedback. My priority is how safe and Highway Code compliant are they? Steering is often one of the most contentious subjects as the traditional Road Craft, firm grip and push / pull is regarded as a bit dated now - it still works well and there is no disputing that it is a good starting point but flexibility, particularly with sporty cars, needs to be exercised as technology has moved forward since Road Craft was written and there are strong arguements for the fluidity of some alternative methods. I am ex police and class one trained but always keep an open mind that the person behind the wheel may actually know what they are doing even if the technique is a bit different.
On a slightly different tack. The new high performance fuels boast improved MPG but at a cost. In general, advanced driving techniques improve MPG with standard fuels at no cost. A strong selling point in the current climate.
Someone with the spot on approach ! Observation, anticipation and early reaction are in my view are the most important aspects of better driving. Feel safe with the basic driving and virtually everything else is just polishing up technique. Being too pedantic about system for normal driving requirements can put people off IAM and encourage bad feedback. My priority is how safe and Highway Code compliant are they? Steering is often one of the most contentious subjects as the traditional Road Craft, firm grip and push / pull is regarded as a bit dated now - it still works well and there is no disputing that it is a good starting point but flexibility, particularly with sporty cars, needs to be exercised as technology has moved forward since Road Craft was written and there are strong arguements for the fluidity of some alternative methods. I am ex police and class one trained but always keep an open mind that the person behind the wheel may actually know what they are doing even if the technique is a bit different.
On a slightly different tack. The new high performance fuels boast improved MPG but at a cost. In general, advanced driving techniques improve MPG with standard fuels at no cost. A strong selling point in the current climate.
Edited by Jules2477 on Tuesday 10th June 18:09
Edited by Jules2477 on Tuesday 10th June 18:29
Edited by Jules2477 on Wednesday 11th June 02:25
Hi all,
Personally, I feel strongly that anyone who observes should have an equal depth of understanding coaching as well as roadcraft. If only more people who observe would read one of Sir John Whitmore's books on coaching alongside Roadcraft ...
www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/202-9654284-6836...
jamesallport said:
I've been observing for 15 years and my approach is somewhat different from others who've posted.
I don't give people handouts or worry about how they use the controls. On a first drive, I really just want to listen (hard, really really hard) to what the associate says about their own driving and what they expect AD to be like. Their motivation and expectations are really important. I have to build my approach around them if I want them to "own" the skills they'll develop.
Yes, someone with a spot on approach. This is exactly how good coaching should begin: listening very, very hard to what the Associate wants to get our of advanced driving, their motivation and expectations. If only more observers and senior observers would grasp this.I don't give people handouts or worry about how they use the controls. On a first drive, I really just want to listen (hard, really really hard) to what the associate says about their own driving and what they expect AD to be like. Their motivation and expectations are really important. I have to build my approach around them if I want them to "own" the skills they'll develop.
Personally, I feel strongly that anyone who observes should have an equal depth of understanding coaching as well as roadcraft. If only more people who observe would read one of Sir John Whitmore's books on coaching alongside Roadcraft ...
www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/202-9654284-6836...
""Personally, I feel strongly that anyone who observes should have an equal depth of understanding coaching as well as roadcraft. If only more people who observe would read one of Sir John Whitmore's books on coaching alongside Roadcraft ...""
Completely agree...among the books I use and lend to Associates, depending on age and experience, are Mind Driving by Stephen Haley, Paul Ripley,Bob Bondurant,Curt Rich, Tom Topper (limited use)...and Blackstones for anyone interested.
DVDs...Roadcraft,Cadence Commentary,Advanced and High Performance by Bespoke, Ultimate Driving Craft by Chris Gilbert,Nurburgring with John Felstead.
A problem for an IAM Observer can be to accurately judge how much info to try to safely pass on - I currently have a lady widowed two years ago...husband did all the driving...target is to build confidence and safety. A while back I had a BRDC member who raced an XK130 or his Morgan every week - target was to smooth him out a bit - it did help and he sent his wife to me later - she also rallies.
We are very fortunate in that a few serving and retired Class 1s are generous with their time in coaching Observers...as posted before, if I get an enthusiatic driver, I point them towards RoSPA and further professional coaching..the IAM should be the minimum level to get a license if we are serious about reducing KSI in younger people.
BOF.
Completely agree...among the books I use and lend to Associates, depending on age and experience, are Mind Driving by Stephen Haley, Paul Ripley,Bob Bondurant,Curt Rich, Tom Topper (limited use)...and Blackstones for anyone interested.
DVDs...Roadcraft,Cadence Commentary,Advanced and High Performance by Bespoke, Ultimate Driving Craft by Chris Gilbert,Nurburgring with John Felstead.
A problem for an IAM Observer can be to accurately judge how much info to try to safely pass on - I currently have a lady widowed two years ago...husband did all the driving...target is to build confidence and safety. A while back I had a BRDC member who raced an XK130 or his Morgan every week - target was to smooth him out a bit - it did help and he sent his wife to me later - she also rallies.
We are very fortunate in that a few serving and retired Class 1s are generous with their time in coaching Observers...as posted before, if I get an enthusiatic driver, I point them towards RoSPA and further professional coaching..the IAM should be the minimum level to get a license if we are serious about reducing KSI in younger people.
BOF.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff