RE: Police Chief Receives Summons
Discussion
Of course you guys know these things. As enthusiastic and experienced drivers you will.
I'm not saying that the IAM has a monopoly on good driving practice!
I think what I've found good about the IAM thing is that it makes you think about your observation and that (in itself) has a positive effect.
I certainly found that I did already know many of the things taught and, in fact, did some "instinctively". But concentrating on the quality of your driving for a while *will* improve it - the IAM stuff is one way of doing it, ROSPA is another - simply reading up and practicing could another as well...
I'm not saying that the IAM has a monopoly on good driving practice!
I think what I've found good about the IAM thing is that it makes you think about your observation and that (in itself) has a positive effect.
I certainly found that I did already know many of the things taught and, in fact, did some "instinctively". But concentrating on the quality of your driving for a while *will* improve it - the IAM stuff is one way of doing it, ROSPA is another - simply reading up and practicing could another as well...
The ROSPA and the IAM courses are practically identical. When I did them though, the ROSPA fella kept banging on about the commentary being one of the most important parts(which I have to say I found really tough, and it didnt focus my mind on the road, it focused my mind on speaking while driving!) that was the only real difference.
Matt.
Matt.
hmmmm. I guess the "great unwashed" could benefit more than us?
The reason I got so airiated about it, was a car journey with one of my "IAM" work colleagues.
Went like this...
I drove (Alfa Clovaleaf) to customer site. He protested "aghhh, the G-forces" when I pulled away. Normal pull away for me, foot to floor 1-2-3. Didn't approve of me braking and changing gear, didn't like it that it that I do 80mph on NSL road.
Way back, I let him drive. EKKK !! first roundabout, gives way to distant vehicle. Then tries to pull away in 3rd while juggernaut is bearing down on us. He decided to use 2nd, and we shudder out of the side road, and in front of truck.
He proceeds to change up BELOW peak torque, and we nearly get shunted off the road.
He brakes at every opportunity, and makes the traffic flow badly.
Someone sounded their hooter at him, he ignored it.
Ok, so maybe not all IAM drivers are losers like this guy, BTW, he drink drives as well, but drives within the speed limit to avoid the Police.
Now I evaluate the vehicle characteristics, if it's a revvy engine, I thrash it. If it's a torque monster, I short-shift.
So much for his "superior" knowledge. Twat. I'm gonna shop him for the drink driving one day.
The reason I got so airiated about it, was a car journey with one of my "IAM" work colleagues.
Went like this...
I drove (Alfa Clovaleaf) to customer site. He protested "aghhh, the G-forces" when I pulled away. Normal pull away for me, foot to floor 1-2-3. Didn't approve of me braking and changing gear, didn't like it that it that I do 80mph on NSL road.
Way back, I let him drive. EKKK !! first roundabout, gives way to distant vehicle. Then tries to pull away in 3rd while juggernaut is bearing down on us. He decided to use 2nd, and we shudder out of the side road, and in front of truck.
He proceeds to change up BELOW peak torque, and we nearly get shunted off the road.
He brakes at every opportunity, and makes the traffic flow badly.
Someone sounded their hooter at him, he ignored it.
Ok, so maybe not all IAM drivers are losers like this guy, BTW, he drink drives as well, but drives within the speed limit to avoid the Police.
Now I evaluate the vehicle characteristics, if it's a revvy engine, I thrash it. If it's a torque monster, I short-shift.
So much for his "superior" knowledge. Twat. I'm gonna shop him for the drink driving one day.
There's every chance that this police chief has not done a driving course, because the majority of coppers-at-the-top are fast track pen pushers out of university rather than of the hands-on-experience variety.
I'm all for everyone doing an advanced "thinking" course - but then I'm biased
I'm all for everyone doing an advanced "thinking" course - but then I'm biased
I can understand your criticisms Carl and like a lot of people on this thread I really hate the pedantic nature of some aspects of the IAM scheme such as not changing gear and braking, never going above the speed limit even if perfectly safe or safer to do so, keeping hands at 10 to 2 position etc. But overall the scheme has merit. It doesn't try to teach people about driving or riding quickly and I'm sure Carl is correct when he says that if you rode how the IAM say you should, at high speeds you'd be dead. However, it does help develop skills that come from experience. That is why it is helpful for new or newish drivers such as myself. We dont have the same amount experience as you old wrinklies (that was a joke b4 you get offended) so how can a scheme that helps drivers develop their skills be such a bad thing.
Also most people have never had any motorway lessons which is part of the reason there are so many tw@s on them. People hog the middle lane cos they are either really selfish or really stupid. Training gets people to think about what they are doing. If everyone was forced to do some form of further driving training before they could have a full license the roads would be a safer place and a less congested place and maybe Marlboro wouldn't have been knocked off his bike. (See Court Case thread)
BTW Carl your work colleague sounds like a absolute twat and I hope you do shop him for drink driving.
P.S. Another way of getting away with drink driving is to become a copper. Seen it with my own eyes. Wish I'd grassed the bastards up now.
Matt
Edited by mattjbatch on Wednesday 19th December 16:32
Also most people have never had any motorway lessons which is part of the reason there are so many tw@s on them. People hog the middle lane cos they are either really selfish or really stupid. Training gets people to think about what they are doing. If everyone was forced to do some form of further driving training before they could have a full license the roads would be a safer place and a less congested place and maybe Marlboro wouldn't have been knocked off his bike. (See Court Case thread)
BTW Carl your work colleague sounds like a absolute twat and I hope you do shop him for drink driving.
P.S. Another way of getting away with drink driving is to become a copper. Seen it with my own eyes. Wish I'd grassed the bastards up now.
Matt
Edited by mattjbatch on Wednesday 19th December 16:32
Ok - the main thing is, if you CAN learn something, then go for it. DO whatever you have to, to improve.
I'm a newbie compared to lots of people, been driving for 15 years & about 18,000 miles for each of 'em.
Done 49,000 miles in 4 years by bike.
And yes, I have had several accidents!
Tell ya what, having smashed a bike up due to carb icing/throttle control, it taught me to be more careful next time.
Think everyone has accidents, "part of the learning curve" as my dealer told me. Let's hope we all get through winter without mishap.
I'm a newbie compared to lots of people, been driving for 15 years & about 18,000 miles for each of 'em.
Done 49,000 miles in 4 years by bike.
And yes, I have had several accidents!
Tell ya what, having smashed a bike up due to carb icing/throttle control, it taught me to be more careful next time. Think everyone has accidents, "part of the learning curve" as my dealer told me. Let's hope we all get through winter without mishap.
For me, the IAM training was all about observation, anticipation and observation. Yes, I know I put observation twice, but it was such a big thing it was worth mentioning twice [(C) Red Dwarf 
]
I don't think there is anything in the IAM training that a good driver wouldn't say "but that's obvious" or "but that's common sense" to when shown it. But then again, sometimes we all need to be reminded of the obvious.
I think IAM drivers fall into two categories. Yes, some do appear to "drive by numbers" / "by the book" and think that now they're a member then nothing further is required, but I'd hope that they were a minority. I'd prefer to think that most IAM drivers take the skills taught and integrate them into their skillset and then continue learning.
At the end of the day, its all down to the individual. Some drivers can still be poor after the training, others can be good without having done the training. A lot of drivers can be improved with the training.
I'd agree with Pete - the very fact that you acknowledge that you still need to learn is the main thing. Personally, I hope I never get to the stage where I feel I have nothing left to learn (Carl: I'm not saying you think that, BTW).
Anyway, I found the training a benefit, and for me that's the main thing as I can only speak for myself.
The IAM isn't a religion - I'm under no compulsion to "convert" anyone to the IAM faith!
] I don't think there is anything in the IAM training that a good driver wouldn't say "but that's obvious" or "but that's common sense" to when shown it. But then again, sometimes we all need to be reminded of the obvious.
I think IAM drivers fall into two categories. Yes, some do appear to "drive by numbers" / "by the book" and think that now they're a member then nothing further is required, but I'd hope that they were a minority. I'd prefer to think that most IAM drivers take the skills taught and integrate them into their skillset and then continue learning.
At the end of the day, its all down to the individual. Some drivers can still be poor after the training, others can be good without having done the training. A lot of drivers can be improved with the training.
I'd agree with Pete - the very fact that you acknowledge that you still need to learn is the main thing. Personally, I hope I never get to the stage where I feel I have nothing left to learn (Carl: I'm not saying you think that, BTW).
Anyway, I found the training a benefit, and for me that's the main thing as I can only speak for myself.
The IAM isn't a religion - I'm under no compulsion to "convert" anyone to the IAM faith!
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