Discussion
Cerberosa said:
hi
im trying to develop my commentry for the iam course
any help would be apprechiated, my commentry is abit basic and im not sure which things u should point out and not point out?
cheers
How about..... We are on the A123 road, generally heading in the direction of (insert Town name etc) the road has a restricted speed limit of 30 mph. The road surface is wet from a recent rain storm, and i'll bear this in mind as it may effect the braking capability of the vehicle. The road is a single carriageway with footpaths on either side of the road. I have noticed that there are many wheelie bins outside the houses next to the road, and anticipate that we may come across a refuse lorry on this drive.... (turns corner) and indeed!! we have come across the refuse lorry etc etcim trying to develop my commentry for the iam course
any help would be apprechiated, my commentry is abit basic and im not sure which things u should point out and not point out?
cheers
In residential areas, this may help... There are parked vehicles on both sides of the road with a high number of pedestrians, just checking my speed as we are approaching a 20 mph restriction close to a school. Due to the time, i do not anticipate any school children, but will bear this in mind as we approach the school. Just looking into the stationary cars as we approach, checking to see if there is anyone likely to exit their vehicle and impede my progress. Just covering the horn as we approach as i can see a woman chatting on her phone in the red Ford Galaxy parked opposite the school. we have now passed the Galaxy and up ahead i can see..... etc etc
Other good points to look out for, for use in the commentary are things like roundabouts, light clusters around mini roundabouts, speed limit signs + nsl signs, pedestrians, smell of freshly cut grass (expect the grass cutter!) parked cars, moving cars. To be honest, everything helps! Try doing a commentary, then being caught up at a major junction, with long delays before driving on. When you've exhausted whats outside the car, carry on with what's happening and what you are doing inside the car.
Practice on your own, for a whole drive from a to b. It does become easier and ignore the other drivers staring at the madman speaking to himself!
Oh and last thing, when you're doing the commentary, keep checking your speed. You'll find that you'll be doing 20 in a 30 or something even worse because you're concentrating too much on the outside stuff.
"Say what you see".
Seriously, there are only 2 aspects that matter -
What you see and what you are going to do about it (if, of course, action seems appropriate).
Examples - "Pedestrian on left with dog on lead" - maybe nothing else needs saying.
"Girl on left with young child NOT on reins" - may require action on your part.
'Action' bit is what you ARE going to do - not what you are doing
(or have done).
Commentary just tells others what you are THINKING.
And that is, of course, what this exercise is all about.
Nobody is going to criticize the words you use.
It is not a poetry writing contest.
The main difference in the contents of commentary as you progress
(possibly up the ladder?) is NOT the words.
It is the distance ahead on which the commentator remarks.
Seriously, there are only 2 aspects that matter -
What you see and what you are going to do about it (if, of course, action seems appropriate).
Examples - "Pedestrian on left with dog on lead" - maybe nothing else needs saying.
"Girl on left with young child NOT on reins" - may require action on your part.
'Action' bit is what you ARE going to do - not what you are doing
(or have done).
Commentary just tells others what you are THINKING.
And that is, of course, what this exercise is all about.
Nobody is going to criticize the words you use.
It is not a poetry writing contest.
The main difference in the contents of commentary as you progress
(possibly up the ladder?) is NOT the words.
It is the distance ahead on which the commentator remarks.
I suggest that you turn off your radio for the duration...name out loud anything that might cause you to alter course, position, speed...every road sign, including paint on the roads, bus stops (a queue = bus is behind me?) wheelie bins (truck ahead?)...School sign (where is the school - OK, passed it)
Think of your eyes being in dipped or main beam - look from the farthest point back to the nearest - scan the scene - mirrors out loud every 8 seconds or so (here comes an attack as before)...clear behind...one behind...
Maybe get the Commentary DVD by Hugh Noblett from;
www.cadence.co.uk
And the Advanced Roadcraft (Not the High Performance) DVD from:
www.bespokedrivertraining.co.uk
Good Luck...
BOF
Think of your eyes being in dipped or main beam - look from the farthest point back to the nearest - scan the scene - mirrors out loud every 8 seconds or so (here comes an attack as before)...clear behind...one behind...
Maybe get the Commentary DVD by Hugh Noblett from;
www.cadence.co.uk
And the Advanced Roadcraft (Not the High Performance) DVD from:
www.bespokedrivertraining.co.uk
Good Luck...
BOF
Edited by BOF on Wednesday 10th September 17:54
Hugh's commentary DVD well worth the £15 or whatever it is to give you an idea of what commentary should sound like.
I dislike commentary - done well it adds little and done badly it detracts a lot.
It has two functions, as far as I can tell -- to enable a driver to point out to his co-driver what he is seeing and where his thought process is (either for instructional or remedial purposes), and it is also a useful tool for co-drivers to reduce the exuberance of their driver, as asking someone to give commentary knocks 10mph off straight away.
The ultimate is, of course, to give commentary whilst still driving like a hooligan.
As for tips, newbies often say everything they can see. This is dull and pointless. I find the Police style over-formalised and over wordy. Just say stuff that is going to make you do stuff, mention what you are going to do.
The classic structure is
- what you can see (just the relevant one)
- what might happen
- what you are doing about it
"I can see a small child with a ball which has run out into the road. He might run out after it, so I am braking firmly, using the horn and swerving."
This is really cumbersome, but it does help tie it down to just one hazard. Typically I just mention what I'm doing - "positioning for the junction (right)", or if I want to keep the "see, do" structure. "Junction right, position".
If I want to impress IAM types, then all punctuation is replaces by the word mirrors.
Junction right mirrors position.
It is a real joy to drive with someone who doesn't need commentary for you to have a wonderful driving conversation. You see something and they do what you would like them to do, and all you need say is "nice".
I dislike commentary - done well it adds little and done badly it detracts a lot.
It has two functions, as far as I can tell -- to enable a driver to point out to his co-driver what he is seeing and where his thought process is (either for instructional or remedial purposes), and it is also a useful tool for co-drivers to reduce the exuberance of their driver, as asking someone to give commentary knocks 10mph off straight away.
The ultimate is, of course, to give commentary whilst still driving like a hooligan.
As for tips, newbies often say everything they can see. This is dull and pointless. I find the Police style over-formalised and over wordy. Just say stuff that is going to make you do stuff, mention what you are going to do.
The classic structure is
- what you can see (just the relevant one)
- what might happen
- what you are doing about it
"I can see a small child with a ball which has run out into the road. He might run out after it, so I am braking firmly, using the horn and swerving."
This is really cumbersome, but it does help tie it down to just one hazard. Typically I just mention what I'm doing - "positioning for the junction (right)", or if I want to keep the "see, do" structure. "Junction right, position".
If I want to impress IAM types, then all punctuation is replaces by the word mirrors.
Junction right mirrors position.
It is a real joy to drive with someone who doesn't need commentary for you to have a wonderful driving conversation. You see something and they do what you would like them to do, and all you need say is "nice".
7db,
"It is a real joy to drive with someone who doesn't need commentary for you to have a wonderful driving conversation. You see something and they do what you would like them to do, and all you need say is "nice"."
I (almost) couldn't agree more...but, as an 'IAM type', we get very different levels of drivers coming to us..I start next week with a BMW having just got a Toyota lady through.
As posted a few times before, if I see ANY interest or potential in an Associate, young or old, I encourage them to go for RoSPA and to have a thought about Cadence or Club Driving...as posted to the OP.
Trevor posted about 'steps on the ladder'...in the absence of something BETTER than the IAM, for drivers with maybe limited means, it is the best we have so far?
BOF.
"It is a real joy to drive with someone who doesn't need commentary for you to have a wonderful driving conversation. You see something and they do what you would like them to do, and all you need say is "nice"."
I (almost) couldn't agree more...but, as an 'IAM type', we get very different levels of drivers coming to us..I start next week with a BMW having just got a Toyota lady through.
As posted a few times before, if I see ANY interest or potential in an Associate, young or old, I encourage them to go for RoSPA and to have a thought about Cadence or Club Driving...as posted to the OP.
Trevor posted about 'steps on the ladder'...in the absence of something BETTER than the IAM, for drivers with maybe limited means, it is the best we have so far?
BOF.
Hi Cerberosa.
Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
p3skydave said:
Hi Cerberosa.
Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
Agreed - Chris is the Trafpol on the Roadcraft DVD - also worth a look and maybe on loan from your Group library?Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
Get one each and swap between you by mail?
BOF.
BOF said:
p3skydave said:
Hi Cerberosa.
Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
Agreed - Chris is the Trafpol on the Roadcraft DVD - also worth a look and maybe on loan from your Group library?Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
Get one each and swap between you by mail?
BOF.
In the same context does anybody know about a video or DVD that Don (that fellow from Basingstoke) mentioned having seen some time back about a police drive lasting about an hour, in which (according to Don's original report) the guy did a commentary throughout, indicating that he missed not a single sign, nor any safe overtaking opportunities, and that the drive made free use of speeds up to 100 mph on SC roads and 120 mph on DC roads.
....and please don't tell me I have to re-join the IAM in order to be able to see it.
Anything known ?Best wishes all,
Dave.
p1esk said:
BOF said:
p3skydave said:
Hi Cerberosa.
Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
Agreed - Chris is the Trafpol on the Roadcraft DVD - also worth a look and maybe on loan from your Group library?Im in the same predicament as you and i found the dvd 'Ultimate Driving Craft' by Chris Gilbert a godsend.He breaks commentary down into easy stages at first and then builds up on it.There is also some good advanced driving tips on there as well.
Well worth buying/watching
Regards
Dave
Get one each and swap between you by mail?
BOF.
In the same context does anybody know about a video or DVD that Don (that fellow from Basingstoke) mentioned having seen some time back about a police drive lasting about an hour, in which (according to Don's original report) the guy did a commentary throughout, indicating that he missed not a single sign, nor any safe overtaking opportunities, and that the drive made free use of speeds up to 100 mph on SC roads and 120 mph on DC roads.
....and please don't tell me I have to re-join the IAM in order to be able to see it.
Anything known ?Best wishes all,
Dave.
It is a shame more people are not able to sit in with a good police instructor doing a proper drive.
This is an excellent video with commentary by Chris Gilbert. Great to waatch. I think Reg posted it a while ago...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bVtQ4NN5_-Q
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bVtQ4NN5_-Q
Hollywood Wheels said:
3 litre Omega. Good cars so I hear... 
The saloons were not too bad, a bit heavy and wallowy, slight delay on throttle response, but they did have something about them...The Estates were bloody awful. A bowl of jelly sitting on a washing machine on a 1200 spin was more controlled.
The 3.2L estate to replace it was just the same, except the clutch was even worse. I believe they were designed for automatics only, and couldn't handle the geared models. I had 2 clutches give up the ghost on pursuits.
There are, indeed, several examples of a "good" level of commentary available.
But they do not, in my opinion, answer the OP's question.
"What words are suitable for "boggo" IAM test commentary?"
(excuse my description).
And the answer is - ANY words.
""S" bend sign" is WELL good enough.
For that level.
A well competent IAM (senior) Observer (like BOF) would do differing levels of commentary to - for example - a punter, trainee Observers, and a PC1 for his own re-qualification.
Rungs up ladder boys, rungs up ladder.
But they do not, in my opinion, answer the OP's question.
"What words are suitable for "boggo" IAM test commentary?"
(excuse my description).
And the answer is - ANY words.
""S" bend sign" is WELL good enough.
For that level.
A well competent IAM (senior) Observer (like BOF) would do differing levels of commentary to - for example - a punter, trainee Observers, and a PC1 for his own re-qualification.
Rungs up ladder boys, rungs up ladder.
Edited by 1950trevorP on Monday 15th September 14:18
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