Discussion
The book and it's teaching is good, although (cat amongst pigeon time) I found the actual IAM methods in practise a little confusing/contradictory and evidently open to zero discussion. Eg, I used a Land Rover for the assessed drives, and by definition it has a very low first gear. Despite this I was marked down for changing up too soon. Next time, left it bouncing off the rev limiter until I cleared a junction (granted, it was to prove a point), and got knocked back for poor gear selection.
I found taking HGV/C+E did far more for my driving.
And allowing a vehicle to slow simply by backing off the revs a bit instead of standing on the brakes almost saw me excommunicated.
Never bothered finishing the course although I have had a few ad-hoc sessions with a traffic cop mate and he has few criticisms. I've not crashed yet either.
I found taking HGV/C+E did far more for my driving.
And allowing a vehicle to slow simply by backing off the revs a bit instead of standing on the brakes almost saw me excommunicated.
Never bothered finishing the course although I have had a few ad-hoc sessions with a traffic cop mate and he has few criticisms. I've not crashed yet either.
shadowninja said:
Yes, great book. I like the twist in the plot at the end. 
Makes you think about your driving. Anyone who drives should read it.
i would like to shove a copy down the throat of the idiot in the mundane estate this morning who cut me up on a roundabout then wagged his finger at me when i beeped at him and questioned his sexual practices Makes you think about your driving. Anyone who drives should read it.
i read this when i had just passed the test (my dad bought it for me) and it helped me masses.
Martin A said:
Flawed in detail and to be read as a guide to primarily driving safely rather than swiftly.
Since it's your business I'll just ask - what details do you think are flawed?Agree totally about its focus which is on driving safely compromising anything else including speed to achieve that if necessary.
jesta1865 said:
shadowninja said:
Yes, great book. I like the twist in the plot at the end.
Makes you think about your driving. Anyone who drives should read it.
i would like to shove a copy down the throat of the idiot in the mundane estate this morning who cut me up on a roundabout then wagged his finger at me when i beeped at him and questioned his sexual practices Makes you think about your driving. Anyone who drives should read it.
i read this when i had just passed the test (my dad bought it for me) and it helped me masses.
Edited by 7mike on Wednesday 22 October 20:31
Poledriver said:
Martin A said:
Flawed in detail and to be read as a guide to primarily driving safely rather than swiftly.
But one does not necessarily exclude the other!You have to drive safely before you consider adding pace.
Completely agree with 'shadowninja' - makes you think about your driving.
Got my copy relatively recently and think it's helped my driving massively, becoming far more critical of myself (and learning from the experience) - realising my flaws and how I can improve.
Another consequence of reading the book is that I've become more critical of others. Which, I'm guessing, gets on their nerves a bit (other evening at the local was quite a good example - I made sure my point was heard).
This point needs repeating...
Got my copy relatively recently and think it's helped my driving massively, becoming far more critical of myself (and learning from the experience) - realising my flaws and how I can improve.
Another consequence of reading the book is that I've become more critical of others. Which, I'm guessing, gets on their nerves a bit (other evening at the local was quite a good example - I made sure my point was heard).
This point needs repeating...
Don said:
It's the Bible. Buy it. Read it. Do it.
PeterA said:
Completely agree with 'shadowninja' - makes you think about your driving.
Got my copy relatively recently and think it's helped my driving massively, becoming far more critical of myself (and learning from the experience) - realising my flaws and how I can improve.
Another consequence of reading the book is that I've become more critical of others. Which, I'm guessing, gets on their nerves a bit (other evening at the local was quite a good example - I made sure my point was heard).
This point needs repeating...
I think it is fair and useful to be critical of other drivers - as long as you take heed of what you are saying. It's no use grumbling about someone's motorway lane discipline for example, if your own is equally bad. Observe others and try to avoid their mistakes or bad habits in their own driving. Just the other night I was waiting at a traffic light controlled crossroads with a yellow hatched box inside it. A car pulled into the yellow area waiting to turn right. I mumbled to my wife that the driver shouldn't enter the yellow area until his exit was clear. She was unsure of the rules. When we got home I checked the Highway Code and realised I was wrong. Gotta keep learning and thinking... Got my copy relatively recently and think it's helped my driving massively, becoming far more critical of myself (and learning from the experience) - realising my flaws and how I can improve.
Another consequence of reading the book is that I've become more critical of others. Which, I'm guessing, gets on their nerves a bit (other evening at the local was quite a good example - I made sure my point was heard).
This point needs repeating...
Don said:
It's the Bible. Buy it. Read it. Do it.
Don said:
Yes. It's the Bible. Buy it. Read it. Do it.
Yes, but at the same time allow yourself a bit of flexibility. I don't think it would be right to try following it to the letter at all times, if after reasonable experience and consideration you feel that a slightly different technique would suit you better.Best wishes all,
Dave.
Crossflow Kid said:
And allowing a vehicle to slow simply by backing off the revs a bit instead of standing on the brakes almost saw me excommunicated.
I'm a bit surprised at that (unless it wasn't as simple a situation as you infer), as all advanced institutions, including IAM, teach and recommend acceleration sense, which specifically includes "allowing a vehicle to slow simply by backing off the revs a bit instead of standing on the brakes".BFF
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