Priorities When Giving Running Commentary?

[Speed_Demon]

Hi guys, I like to give a running commentary on my driving every now and then, cause we all know it's great for keeping observation sharp. I just wondered what you guys prioritise? For me:

1) Paint on the road
2) Road signs
3) High priority anticipated hazards (also mention how I am adjusting vehicle speed and position)
4) Changes in the situation around me (vehicle wise)
5) Low priority observed possible hazards (also mention how I am adjusting vehicle speed and position)

and then various others such as current speed, engine status etc.

I'm still a novice though and sometimes I forget to mention things or there is too much to say (in which case I either go back to the top 3 or 4 or slow down)

How do you guys go about it?

Thanks.

[p1esk]

Speed_Demon said:

Hi guys, I like to give a running commentary on my driving every now and then, cause we all know it's great for keeping observation sharp. I just wondered what you guys prioritise? For me:

1) Paint on the road
2) Road signs
3) High priority anticipated hazards (also mention how I am adjusting vehicle speed and position)
4) Changes in the situation around me (vehicle wise)
5) Low priority observed possible hazards (also mention how I am adjusting vehicle speed and position)

and then various others such as current speed, engine status etc.

I'm still a novice though and sometimes I forget to mention things or there is too much to say (in which case I either go back to the top 3 or 4 or slow down)

How do you guys go about it?

Thanks.

I don't do commentary, but items 1 and 2 wouldn't figure in it if I did. The spotting of hazards is the important bit.

A small proportion of signs can be useful, but most of the road paint means little to me, except that it indicates a waste of money.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Don]

The priority (for me) is

1) Near-distance hazards, real and potential (i.e. you can be droning on about the horizon but the kid on the bike is more important)
2) Middle distance hazard indicators (road signs, roadside mirrors, traffic lights, roundabouts, usual stuff)
3) Far distance observation links (telegraph poles indicate possibility of road joining from right around bend etc)
4) Driving plan (what I'm going to do about the above)

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important. Because it might be wrong and if it is I'd rather the co-pilot said so before I hit the hard, unyielding thing.

[1950trevorP]

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that.

Except for the "noun", which some of use as a "shorthand-speak" "verb-ish"

"Mirror".

[Don]

1950trevorP said:

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that.

Except for the "noun", which some of use as a "shorthand-speak" "verb-ish"

"Mirror".

I actually don't say "Mirror". IMO there's no point. I try to mention what I can see in the mirrors. So I might say "Beige car following at twenty car-lengths." Or "following motocyclist preparing for overtake" etc. Or "All clear behind"

[All Jagged Up]

Do you record this commentary and evaluate your dirve afterwards? Do you note anything you learned in the process of this exercise?

[Don]

All Jagged Up said:

Do you record this commentary and evaluate your dirve afterwards? Do you note anything you learned in the process of this exercise?

Don't usually record it. When I give a commentary it's usually for the purposes of evaluation by an Examiner (IAM/ROSPA) or for the benefit of an Associate (student).

[SVS]

Hi Joe!

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important.

+1.

Also, I generally use "the System" to structure my commentary whenever appropriate, e.g.: "In the distance I can see a left-hand bend, so I will positioning towards the centreline, I can adjust my speed for this bend just using deceleration to match the 'limit point' and I'll be taking 3rd gear for this speed, then use enough acceleration to balance the car ... " etc. I find a systematic structure can often help with my commentary and, if you're on test, it also shows the Examiner that you're driving to the System.

www.amazon.co.uk/Roadcraft-Police-Drivers-Advanced...

The Roadcraft DVD is well worth watching, because you hear top notch commentary throughout. I found this a big help in improving my own commentary.

The Ultimate Driving Craft DVD is also very good for helping with commentary and advanced driving in general too.

www.amazon.co.uk/ULTIMATE-DRIVING-CRAFT-Met-Police...

Hope this helps

Edited by SVS on Friday 22 May 18:27

[SVS]

Hi Joe,

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important.

+1.

Also, I generally use "the System" to structure my commentary whenever appropriate, e.g.: "In the distance I can see a left-hand bend, so I will positioning towards the centreline, I can adjust my speed for this bend just using deceleration to match the 'limit point' and I'll be taking 3rd gear for this speed, then use enough acceleration to balance the car ... " etc. I find a systematic structure can often help with my commentary and, if you're on test, it also shows the Examiner that you're driving to the System.

www.amazon.co.uk/Roadcraft-Police-Drivers-Advanced...

The Roadcraft DVD is well worth watching, because you hear top notch commentary throughout. I found this a big help in improving my own commentary.

The Ultimate Driving Craft DVD is also very good for helping with commentary and advanced driving in general too.

www.amazon.co.uk/ULTIMATE-DRIVING-CRAFT-Met-Police...

Hope this helps

Edited by SVS on Friday 22 May 18:28

[p1esk]

SVS said:

Hi Joe!

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important.

+1.

Also, I generally use "the System" to structure my commentary whenever appropriate, e.g.: "In the distance I can see a left-hand bend, so I will positioning towards the centreline, I can adjust my speed for this bend just using deceleration to match the 'limit point' and I'll be taking 3rd gear for this speed, then use enough acceleration to balance the car ... " etc.

What sort of commentary/explanation do you give to cover situations where you are not able to use acceleration to balance the car, because you're going steeply downhill into a tightening bend? Presumably this is along the lines of "a good deal of this 'balancing the car' stuff is all hogwash, and in point of fact what really matters is keeping the speed low enough to avoid ending up in the hedge bottom, so that is what I shall be doing."

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[vonhosen]

p1esk said:

SVS said:

Hi Joe!

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important.

+1.

Also, I generally use "the System" to structure my commentary whenever appropriate, e.g.: "In the distance I can see a left-hand bend, so I will positioning towards the centreline, I can adjust my speed for this bend just using deceleration to match the 'limit point' and I'll be taking 3rd gear for this speed, then use enough acceleration to balance the car ... " etc.

What sort of commentary/explanation do you give to cover situations where you are not able to use acceleration to balance the car, because you're going steeply downhill into a tightening bend? Presumably this is along the lines of "a good deal of this 'balancing the car' stuff is all hogwash, and in point of fact what really matters is keeping the speed low enough to avoid ending up in the hedge bottom, so that is what I shall be doing."

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Acceleration or brakes will trim vehicle balance/path as desired.

[p1esk]

vonhosen said:

p1esk said:

SVS said:

Hi Joe!

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important.

+1.

Also, I generally use "the System" to structure my commentary whenever appropriate, e.g.: "In the distance I can see a left-hand bend, so I will positioning towards the centreline, I can adjust my speed for this bend just using deceleration to match the 'limit point' and I'll be taking 3rd gear for this speed, then use enough acceleration to balance the car ... " etc.

What sort of commentary/explanation do you give to cover situations where you are not able to use acceleration to balance the car, because you're going steeply downhill into a tightening bend? Presumably this is along the lines of "a good deal of this 'balancing the car' stuff is all hogwash, and in point of fact what really matters is keeping the speed low enough to avoid ending up in the hedge bottom, so that is what I shall be doing."

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Acceleration or brakes will trim vehicle balance/path as desired.

People only seem to talk about using power to balance the car - and you simply can not do that in all situations - and in any case I don't think it matters as much as they make out. To me it's one of the AD points that gets oversold.

BTW. have you had to retreat here to cool off after the SPL exchanges?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Edited by p1esk on Friday 22 May 22:32

[vonhosen]

p1esk said:

vonhosen said:

p1esk said:

SVS said:

Hi Joe!

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important.

+1.

Also, I generally use "the System" to structure my commentary whenever appropriate, e.g.: "In the distance I can see a left-hand bend, so I will positioning towards the centreline, I can adjust my speed for this bend just using deceleration to match the 'limit point' and I'll be taking 3rd gear for this speed, then use enough acceleration to balance the car ... " etc.

What sort of commentary/explanation do you give to cover situations where you are not able to use acceleration to balance the car, because you're going steeply downhill into a tightening bend? Presumably this is along the lines of "a good deal of this 'balancing the car' stuff is all hogwash, and in point of fact what really matters is keeping the speed low enough to avoid ending up in the hedge bottom, so that is what I shall be doing."

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Acceleration or brakes will trim vehicle balance/path as desired.

People only seems to talk about using power to balance the car - and you simply can not do that in all situations - and in any case I don't think it matters as much as they make out. To me it's one of the AD points that gets oversold.

BTW. have you had to retreat here to cool off after the SPL exchanges?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

No, because I don't feel or get emotional about it.

[p1esk]

vonhosen said:

p1esk said:

vonhosen said:

p1esk said:

SVS said:

Hi Joe!

Don said:

Don't feel the need to mention what I AM doing. Anyone can see that. It's what I'm going to do that's important.

+1.

Also, I generally use "the System" to structure my commentary whenever appropriate, e.g.: "In the distance I can see a left-hand bend, so I will positioning towards the centreline, I can adjust my speed for this bend just using deceleration to match the 'limit point' and I'll be taking 3rd gear for this speed, then use enough acceleration to balance the car ... " etc.

What sort of commentary/explanation do you give to cover situations where you are not able to use acceleration to balance the car, because you're going steeply downhill into a tightening bend? Presumably this is along the lines of "a good deal of this 'balancing the car' stuff is all hogwash, and in point of fact what really matters is keeping the speed low enough to avoid ending up in the hedge bottom, so that is what I shall be doing."

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Acceleration or brakes will trim vehicle balance/path as desired.

People only seems to talk about using power to balance the car - and you simply can not do that in all situations - and in any case I don't think it matters as much as they make out. To me it's one of the AD points that gets oversold.

BTW. have you had to retreat here to cool off after the SPL exchanges?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

No, because I don't feel or get emotional about it.

I can believe that. It must be nice to be able to remain calm and rational in all circumstances. I wish I could, but I'm working on it.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[All Jagged Up]

Don said:

All Jagged Up said:

Do you record this commentary and evaluate your dirve afterwards? Do you note anything you learned in the process of this exercise?

Don't usually record it. When I give a commentary it's usually for the purposes of evaluation by an Examiner (IAM/ROSPA) or for the benefit of an Associate (student).

I see. I did IAM a while back. I have pals who are RoASPA/RoADA/HPC . I'm enthused but have other commitments which place drving above IAM on a "back burner" which means it "runs in background" bt still of much importance to me.

I log things I THINK I need to.

[All Jagged Up]

Vonhosen

. I take deep breaths. Make myself calm each time \I drive on track with those who judge me.
Likewise when meeting a new class of school kids for the first time.

[Starfighter]

The content of comment needs to take account of whay the commentry is given, are you demonstrating your method to the examiner or are you trying to give instruction.

My commentry changes absed on the above - The examiner gets what I can see, what it means to me and what I'm going to do about it. When I'm teaching it moves more towards the "system" and how that applies to a particular situation.

My key learning point came from taping a number of drives and listening to these away from the car:-

Don't try to cover everything, you can't.
Pick something, talk about it and move to something else.
Don't prepare a script, the road conditions wount allow you to stick to it.
Keep terms simple - Mirror, gas, brakes etc.
Expect to slow down when giving commentry, I always warn associates of this when we start doing commentry drives.
Start slowly and gradually increase the scope of teh comments - Start with say signs and cycles, then add something else
Everyone's style is different - Take a look at different demonstrations and pick what works for you.

The most important thing of all is DRIVE THE CAR