Advanced Motoring Assessment

 Congratulations Great News, NOW!!! ALL form an orderly Line to sign up with MR Nigel, Central Regions Finest.

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Zmurf wrote: rglasspool wrote: I think I was that blasted! Observer.  Hi Richard, yes it was you.  I hope I wasn't too critical--as I wrote at the end, "Overall an interesting experience, and one I might follow up."  I appreciate the IAM needs to stick to a 'system', however I was interested in what others thought, especially of the failure to change down when approaching a roundabout.  I found an interesting quote from the ROSPA advanced motoring, "you may be required to block change when slowing in order to maintain your flexibility. With too high a gear engaged it can lead to an unacceptable amount of coasting." The feedback on this forum was quite mild compared to the furore that was unleashed on the Z forum at http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1079 Tim

Tim

I've just read the posts on the thread you gave.

I think they were quite encouraging.

Hope to see you at another event soon

John

The course was meant for you, you horror lol

thepits wrote: Good driving come from experience. I'm sure that these courses can help the new driver, but to us 'oldies' I wonder?

Animal lovers look away NOW.

Find an old dog, walk past it every morning for a week and as you do kick it. what happens when you approach it the followng week? it bites or it runs... old dogs new tricks? can! Educate Pork? Cannot!!

Animal lovers its' safe to look now.

I've been driving for 16 years, I used to drive between 50 & 70k miles a year now it's probably more like 15k. Many of my friends and colleagues are shocked to hear that I have (and always have had) a clean licence as many consider that I drive too fast, too often. My argument with them is that it's not just a matter of speed but a question of appropriate speed for the location and conditions.

That said I want/need to attend more Better Driving Days, I want to do the IAM test because I know there is still much I can do to improve my driving from where it is today.

My tuppence worth

Skull

I think we have gone as far as we can with this.

Enjoy your driving.

Skull

Until retesting becomes a reality, rather than just an idea, all I, and people like me can do is to encourage others as best we can.

I dont know much about the other three systems, but the IAM is a charity, and all the ground staff are voluntary.

At my level, it only means I give up a couple of hours a week, to guide someone through the system to test level, Richard Glasspool will do more hours.

As with most of the posts so far on this forum (on this subject), you make some good points, but comments like " I cant believe people need advanced lessons", arent the most helpful, especially when you then contradict yourself.

If you are as good as you think, passing any of the advanced tests should be a doddle for you, and if you care enough to want to try and do something about the driving standard on our roads, then you are very welcome to join us.

If the IAM system bothers you, have a look at RoSPA, DIAmond, or the RAC systems.

 Agreed Richard.The fact that someone wishes to Improve their standard is the most important point.They are saying I can Improve.This is the first step forward.You may not agree with Roadcraft, nobody said its carved in stone or Perfection.Its the opportunity to learn some new things , you may not have had the chance to do before.Whats the Prob.?

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Well i am signed up and will give it a go. I have already completed and passed one advanced driving course and have done a single seater racing course. IAM next on the agenda.

The point however in this thread seems to be missed. I believe i am a pretty good driver, but i want to be better that why i am doing the course and that the reason why anybody should do any driving course full stop. And if you have to consider driving and or adapt your driving style then so be it.

I am with Nigel on this one

lancelotII wrote: I think one of the issues I have always had with any of these sort of courses, is that you have to drive in a particualr way to pass the test. That to me seems wrong. The excercise should be in how good are your observation, anticipation and driving skills (which ever manner you use), not whether you perform a specific method when approaching a roundabout etc. It's like heel and toe, some can do it, some can't. But as I understand it, this technique is frowned upon. Again, don't agree with that, I can drive my car far more smoothly employing heel and toe than not. I suppose it's a bit like the Jimmy Hendrix thing, I bet if he had turned up at his guitar tutor playing his right handed fender upside down, they would have said "you'll never be able to play a note, son.... How wrong could they be.......

I think some people take this stuff too literally.

YES you do have to drive to a system to pass the test, but its no different from anything else with an "exam/test" at the end, there is a sylabus.

Once youve passed, you are a free spirit, you then put what you have learnt into your own driving pattern.

This isnt for everyone, what bothers me the most is the people who think they are so good, nothing applies to them, I'm sure it has happened, but will be quite rare, if people are that good, just take the test, dont bother with the tuition, then enjoy what benefits there are from having done so.

If everyone drove to one of the advanced systems, there would be very very few accidents, if everyone lived to the bible (there are other religous books available !!) there would be very little crime.

Of course in real life, neither is going to happen.

In my humble opinion anything thats helps people become more aware of others on the road has got to be a good thing, and thats what this system, and the others are about,  precission vehicle control and good observation.

No matter how long you have been doing anything, let alone driving, there is always something else you can learn, and people are to be applauded, not mocked for trying to better themselves.

It is quite amusing to see posts on here regarding the image of the IAM, with all these excellent drivers in BMWs on here, they are rather living up to the arrogant image that mark of car has.