advanced driving?
Discussion
Im looking at taking an advanced driving course, hoping to improve my skills behind the wheel some what.
Being 18 I do think Im probably one of the best drivers in the world
, but I know deep down there is room for improvment.
I've only been driving for 11 months and absoultly love it, just really dont want to be another statistic!
I have been looking around, the two main ones seem to be IMA and RoSPA, just they seem to be more focused towards reducing my insurance and environmental impact (and while this would be very nice) Im looking for a more pistonheads friendly driving school, for want of a better word!
Can anyone recomend a good driving school which will teach me not only how to be a safe driver, but also how to enjoy the roads but in a much more controlled and safe manner then I probably do now?
Being 18 I do think Im probably one of the best drivers in the world
, but I know deep down there is room for improvment. I've only been driving for 11 months and absoultly love it, just really dont want to be another statistic!
I have been looking around, the two main ones seem to be IMA and RoSPA, just they seem to be more focused towards reducing my insurance and environmental impact (and while this would be very nice) Im looking for a more pistonheads friendly driving school, for want of a better word!
Can anyone recomend a good driving school which will teach me not only how to be a safe driver, but also how to enjoy the roads but in a much more controlled and safe manner then I probably do now?
I did look into track days, went on one a few months ago, absolutly loved it, and it did help my road driving.
Just looking for something that more focused to the roads, and just a little cheaper.
I've also just realised I probably should of posted this in the advanced driving section, lol.
Just looking for something that more focused to the roads, and just a little cheaper.
I've also just realised I probably should of posted this in the advanced driving section, lol.
I used to live door to a policeman. He had been a traffic cop, then a police advanced driving instructor and when I knew him he was just seeing out his time in the county court as policeman in residence. He was without doubt the most explosively impatient driver I have ever encountered but he did have some good stories. One from his time on traffic was about nearing the end of a shift and needing numbers. They would just wait for a car with the Instute of Advanced Motorists badge, what he referred to as, "The big I AM," and follow it.
"Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
"Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
Munky,
There's lots of useful info for you here already
Another PHer has gone through the exact same process as you have. And luckily, he's blogged it all.
So start here, with his original thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=770...
Then, read his ongoing blog about how he's doing here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A good read, and I hope will give you the answer you need
There's lots of useful info for you here already
Another PHer has gone through the exact same process as you have. And luckily, he's blogged it all.
So start here, with his original thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=770...
Then, read his ongoing blog about how he's doing here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A good read, and I hope will give you the answer you need
crofty1984 said:
Track day with an instructor. Not the cheapest, but definetly the best way IMO. Won't help premiums though.
I disagree. The most important aspect is roadcraft and attitude to risk avoidance at this stage, not car control. Trackdays are fun and useful for exploring the limits in a relatively safe environment, but they teach little in being a good road driver.
Having read the blogs and other threads on the IMA, I'm still not convinced, i think its the 'not changing down through gears', and having to 'push/pull' on the wheel thats thrown me, as thats what i've always been taught is the better way to drive.
But i'll deffinatly look into it more, as its very cheap for what it is so if I do hate it then I wont lose out to much.
But i'll deffinatly look into it more, as its very cheap for what it is so if I do hate it then I wont lose out to much.
I've done training with these guys: http://www.macdrivertraining.com and found it very good in terms of quality and feedback. They used to be very much a Honda affiliated scheme for people buying their motorcycles and fast road cars, but have become independent. Mostly retired class 1 Police Instructors doing the training, too.
Munky_Man said:
... I'm still not convinced, i think its the 'not changing down through gears', and having to 'push/pull' on the wheel thats thrown me, as thats what i've always been taught is the better way to drive.
Not sure that I follow this. Are you saying that you are not yet convinced that the way you've always been taught, ie. 'not changing down through gears', and having to 'push/pull', is the best way to drive?
DickyC said:
They would just wait for a car with the Instute of Advanced Motorists badge, what he referred to as, "The big I AM," and follow it.
"Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
Rubbish! You've got yourself a Pinocchio! There aren't enough IAM badges around to make that a viable strategy, might as well select at random."Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
Z.B said:
DickyC said:
They would just wait for a car with the Instute of Advanced Motorists badge, what he referred to as, "The big I AM," and follow it.
"Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
Rubbish! You've got yourself a Pinocchio! There aren't enough IAM badges around to make that a viable strategy, might as well select at random."Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
I am a member of IAM, I drive a lot of miles each year, and how many IAM badges do I see during a year? I would say 4, or maybe 5, every 20,000 miles. Not enough to earn a traffic officer promotion that's for sure.
I took alot out the IAM course enjoyed it and keeps me safe on the roads i think doing this first is the right thing then look in to more track skid control stuff afterwards then you have the best of both worlds thats what i did and still want to learn more of the track side of things this coming summer driving course's is money well spent IMHO.
Oh and down changing is not allways a good thing Particularly in high torque light weight cars on On public greasy roads you can end up pointing the way you came
Oh and down changing is not allways a good thing Particularly in high torque light weight cars on On public greasy roads you can end up pointing the way you came
Edited by scotty_d on Saturday 13th February 21:47
johnao said:
Z.B said:
DickyC said:
They would just wait for a car with the Instute of Advanced Motorists badge, what he referred to as, "The big I AM," and follow it.
"Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
Rubbish! You've got yourself a Pinocchio! There aren't enough IAM badges around to make that a viable strategy, might as well select at random."Within two miles there would be a traffic violation."
I am a member of IAM, I drive a lot of miles each year, and how many IAM badges do I see during a year? I would say 4, or maybe 5, every 20,000 miles. Not enough to earn a traffic officer promotion that's for sure.
Kinky said:
Of course it's rubbish. Let's ask the neighbour to stand up in court and admit that it was policy
Maybe his recollections were as bad as his driving. Jeez he was a bad driver.OP, if you are available for the HPC Young Drivers' Day it would probably be up your street. See:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Young Drivers Day 2010
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Young Drivers Day 2010
Most of the organisations/companies who offer to improve your road driving will base their teachings on the 'Roadcraft' methodology. This includes both IAM and RoSPA. Safer and more enjoyable motoring is their aim, and for many people they do a good job, despite what you may hear from some.
Yes, block changing of gears and pull/push steering are used where applicable... but that isn't what it is all about. There is so much more than that. Get past some of the periphery, and the core stuff will be of value to you. You may have to stick to certain things to pass the test, just as you do for the standard DSA test, but the really important stuff underneath is worth it. Certainly IAM/RoSPA aren't the be all and end all, but you get a good foundation to build on.
Lots of places will teach you, some more expensive than others, some better than others. But the core stuff is the same. That's all down to personal preference and funds, as well as what you actually want to achieve.
Whichever route you go, have fun.
Yes, block changing of gears and pull/push steering are used where applicable... but that isn't what it is all about. There is so much more than that. Get past some of the periphery, and the core stuff will be of value to you. You may have to stick to certain things to pass the test, just as you do for the standard DSA test, but the really important stuff underneath is worth it. Certainly IAM/RoSPA aren't the be all and end all, but you get a good foundation to build on.
Lots of places will teach you, some more expensive than others, some better than others. But the core stuff is the same. That's all down to personal preference and funds, as well as what you actually want to achieve.
Whichever route you go, have fun.
Gromit37 said:
Yes, block changing of gears and pull/push steering are used where applicable... but that isn't what it is all about. There is so much more than that. Get past some of the periphery, and the core stuff will be of value to you. You may have to stick to certain things to pass the test, just as you do for the standard DSA test, but the really important stuff underneath is worth it. Certainly IAM/RoSPA aren't the be all and end all, but you get a good foundation to build on.
Yes fully agree Gromit. If you were to dismiss the IAM course solely on these sorts of points you would be doing yourself a dis-service. The observational stuff alone is worth it's weight in gold, without doing it it hard to explain though.Bottom line is this. I'm only part-way through my skill for life, and even though I've had to change my ways, I can now drive faster down a given road and have more fun, whilst being safer. It's more about attitude.
If you can point blank say that "I will NOT change to any other driving style", there will be very few driving courses suited to you. Because if you're that rigid chances are you won't get much out of having any instructor sat next to you anyway. Chances are you are not Sterling Moss, so will need to change your style full stop no matter what driving couse you go on.
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