Improving driving skills
Discussion
I've been driving for 8 years, and for the past 6 I've been clocking up a lot of miles (at lot of them Scottish highlands as opposed to motorway plodding). I've noticed in the past few years that my skills have started to plateau (if not get worse!), and I've picked up my fair share of bad habits too. I think I'm a reasonable driver, in terms of being able to drive quickly and safely but I don't have much frame of reference to assess it on, so I'm sure I'm not as good as I think I am!
What would be the best way to go about improving my driving? I'm not overflowing with time and money, but I would considering doing a course/assessment at some point in the future. Are there any inexpensive courses which would help? IAM / HPC? HPC interests me more but looks expensive? Not to offend anyone but IAM has always seemed to me like old guys in flat caps pottering around at 50 mph*. Not that I want to I want to drive recklessly on public roads, but I want to be able to drive enthusiastically without putting myself or anybody else in danger - whether this is quicker or slower than I currently drive I less important.
I've got the roadcraft book, which I haven't looked at for years but I'll dig it out of the box and give it another read. I've not done any track time, but would like to at some point, although since I drive an 320d estate it's not exactly a track monster. Saying that I'm more interested in improving my on road skills.
Edit * I'm sure an IAM course would be useful to me though.
What would be the best way to go about improving my driving? I'm not overflowing with time and money, but I would considering doing a course/assessment at some point in the future. Are there any inexpensive courses which would help? IAM / HPC? HPC interests me more but looks expensive? Not to offend anyone but IAM has always seemed to me like old guys in flat caps pottering around at 50 mph*. Not that I want to I want to drive recklessly on public roads, but I want to be able to drive enthusiastically without putting myself or anybody else in danger - whether this is quicker or slower than I currently drive I less important.
I've got the roadcraft book, which I haven't looked at for years but I'll dig it out of the box and give it another read. I've not done any track time, but would like to at some point, although since I drive an 320d estate it's not exactly a track monster. Saying that I'm more interested in improving my on road skills.
Edit * I'm sure an IAM course would be useful to me though.
Edited by clunkbox on Wednesday 12th September 13:39
Hello - you're in a common situation, but happily are in the minority that are prepared to look for help to improve. Unfortunately no driver can ever be perfect, but you can have a lot of fun trying to get as close as possible.
HPC membership is a good thing to aim for, but the entry course is fairly demanding. If you've not had any further training after the DSA test there's almost no chance of even being able take the course, let alone be recommended for membership.
Your best first step is likely to be either private coaching or an IAM / RoSPA course. Which is most suitable for you will depend on budget and location - IAM and RoSPA groups are run by volunteers and naturally vary in their level of 'enthusiast' input. You can use PH or ADUK to ask if anyone has local knowledge.
Rest assured that not all IAM members fit the stereotype, and that a very large number of HPC members are also involved with their local IAM / RoSPA groups.
HPC membership is a good thing to aim for, but the entry course is fairly demanding. If you've not had any further training after the DSA test there's almost no chance of even being able take the course, let alone be recommended for membership.
Your best first step is likely to be either private coaching or an IAM / RoSPA course. Which is most suitable for you will depend on budget and location - IAM and RoSPA groups are run by volunteers and naturally vary in their level of 'enthusiast' input. You can use PH or ADUK to ask if anyone has local knowledge.
Rest assured that not all IAM members fit the stereotype, and that a very large number of HPC members are also involved with their local IAM / RoSPA groups.
Yeah, that sounds about right. Between driving more capable cars and being more sensible (being on 9 points will do that) I found I'm not longer pushing myself or the car on the road. Not that that's a bad thing but it also meant I was no longer learning anything, and like you said, getting complacent.
IAM can be all about making progress - going as quickly as safety and legality allows. In my experience it was like that some of the time, and then come the exam, quite focused on it. Your experience will depend on your local group and the observer(s) you are given.
In either case, you may get flat caps but certainly not a '50mph max' ethos. What you may find is it is centred around all sorts of other things you are less interested in.
Also there is no point reading Roadcraft without doing tuition; it appears to be a book of common sense and obviousness. You can read it tonight and think, 'but of course you would do this'. Its value only becomes apparent when (a) you understand where each bit fits on a scale of importance, and (b) someone assesses you and you discover you're not doing most of those things properly.
In either case, you may get flat caps but certainly not a '50mph max' ethos. What you may find is it is centred around all sorts of other things you are less interested in.
Also there is no point reading Roadcraft without doing tuition; it appears to be a book of common sense and obviousness. You can read it tonight and think, 'but of course you would do this'. Its value only becomes apparent when (a) you understand where each bit fits on a scale of importance, and (b) someone assesses you and you discover you're not doing most of those things properly.
Edited by trashbat on Wednesday 12th September 16:22
trashbat said:
...you may get flat caps but certainly not a '50mph max' ethos.
Exactly right. I would add that the examiners are tasked with ensuring that the candidate can quickly get up to the national speed limit and maintain that speed where safe to do so. Driving along at 50mph when it was perfectly safe to do 60mph would, if done throughout the test, undoubtedly result in a test fail.Where does this perception of bimbling along at 50mph max come from?
johnao said:
Exactly right. I would add that the examiners are tasked with ensuring that the candidate can quickly get up to the national speed limit and maintain that speed where safe to do so. Driving along at 50mph when it was perfectly safe to do 60mph would, if done throughout the test, undoubtedly result in a test fail.
Where does this perception of bimbling along at 50mph max come from?
Don't know to be honest! Where does this perception of bimbling along at 50mph max come from?
If you are Central Scotland then the Group I am a member of will probably be your nearest IAM Group. http://www.forthvalleyiam.org.uk/
If you want a chat to see if an IAM course is for you (I'm sure it will be) and to learn more about our Group then drop me a PM and I can give you more info. Look forward to hearing from you.
If you want a chat to see if an IAM course is for you (I'm sure it will be) and to learn more about our Group then drop me a PM and I can give you more info. Look forward to hearing from you.
clunkbox said:
johnao said:
Exactly right. I would add that the examiners are tasked with ensuring that the candidate can quickly get up to the national speed limit and maintain that speed where safe to do so. Driving along at 50mph when it was perfectly safe to do 60mph would, if done throughout the test, undoubtedly result in a test fail.
Where does this perception of bimbling along at 50mph max come from?
Don't know to be honest! Where does this perception of bimbling along at 50mph max come from?
I am also much more efficient through roundabouts and hazards (and I don't mean in a track day leaning on the tyres sense)
Peng said:
If you are Central Scotland then the Group I am a member of will probably be your nearest IAM Group. http://www.forthvalleyiam.org.uk/
If you want a chat to see if an IAM course is for you (I'm sure it will be) and to learn more about our Group then drop me a PM and I can give you more info. Look forward to hearing from you.
If that group is like ours then you will probably get a free assessment before paying anythingIf you want a chat to see if an IAM course is for you (I'm sure it will be) and to learn more about our Group then drop me a PM and I can give you more info. Look forward to hearing from you.
Not wishing to dumb down this thread, but my son is currently learning to drive and has the Hazard Perception DVDs , that you can get from WH Smith or second hand off flea bay. I had a sneaky go when he wasn't looking. made interesting findings.
As driving skill ( actually controlling the car ) is only a small part of driving capability, perception of dangerous situations can make all the difference.
As we have been driving for several years, maybe the awareness of dangers decreases, a test like these is an inexpensive experience.
Hope this helps, and not intended to offend in any way.
I am an ex-driving instructor, but still got a few "tips" from this.
As driving skill ( actually controlling the car ) is only a small part of driving capability, perception of dangerous situations can make all the difference.
As we have been driving for several years, maybe the awareness of dangers decreases, a test like these is an inexpensive experience.
Hope this helps, and not intended to offend in any way.
I am an ex-driving instructor, but still got a few "tips" from this.
S2Mike said:
Not wishing to dumb down this thread, but my son is currently learning to drive and has the Hazard Perception DVDs , that you can get from WH Smith or second hand off flea bay. I had a sneaky go when he wasn't looking. made interesting findings.
As driving skill ( actually controlling the car ) is only a small part of driving capability, perception of dangerous situations can make all the difference.
As we have been driving for several years, maybe the awareness of dangers decreases, a test like these is an inexpensive experience.
Hope this helps, and not intended to offend in any way.
I am an ex-driving instructor, but still got a few "tips" from this.
The HPT is not fit for purpose - that is a quote from the DSA heads when they came to a consultation meeting in leicester a few years agoAs driving skill ( actually controlling the car ) is only a small part of driving capability, perception of dangerous situations can make all the difference.
As we have been driving for several years, maybe the awareness of dangers decreases, a test like these is an inexpensive experience.
Hope this helps, and not intended to offend in any way.
I am an ex-driving instructor, but still got a few "tips" from this.
johnao said:
Driving along at 50mph when it was perfectly safe to do 60mph would, if done throughout the test, undoubtedly result in a test fail.
That may be so, although driving along at 60mph where 'perfectly safe to do so' could result in a fine and points on your licence on many of the roads around here....johnao said:
Where does this perception of bimbling along at 50mph max come from?
That's probably just an exaggeration to emphasise the point, but IAM and other groups can't condone exceeding the speed limit, even on roads with excellent surfaces and fantastic limits of observation. Driving around the Highlands could conceivably be done comfortably at significantly >60mph without any accidents. I'd love to be able to do a high performance (& speeds in excess of the limit) road driving course, but other than by joining an emergency, law enforcement or military service, this is unlikely to happen.
I'm intrigued by HPC. I'm not sure what the criteria for entry actually are. Having experienced IAM/RoAdar and only having reservations about some of the very specific control methods, rather than the driving philosophy (and not having any glaringly obvious problems with my driving), I'd be interested in experiencing 'HPC' driving standards.
Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 24th September 11:28
MC Bodge said:
... I'd be interested in experiencing 'HPC' driving standards.
I would suggest that you put your name down for the next ADUK Driving Day near to you and ask to be paired with an HPC member and/or, have a look at the ADUK mentor list and see if there is a mentor in your area who is a member of HPC.clunkbox said:
I've been driving for 8 years, and for the past 6 I've been clocking up a lot of miles (at lot of them Scottish highlands as opposed to motorway plodding). I've noticed in the past few years that my skills have started to plateau (if not get worse!), and I've picked up my fair share of bad habits too. I think I'm a reasonable driver, in terms of being able to drive quickly and safely but I don't have much frame of reference to assess it on, so I'm sure I'm not as good as I think I am!
What would be the best way to go about improving my driving? I'm not overflowing with time and money, but I would considering doing a course/assessment at some point in the future. Are there any inexpensive courses which would help? IAM / HPC? HPC interests me more but looks expensive? Not to offend anyone but IAM has always seemed to me like old guys in flat caps pottering around at 50 mph*. Not that I want to I want to drive recklessly on public roads, but I want to be able to drive enthusiastically without putting myself or anybody else in danger - whether this is quicker or slower than I currently drive I less important.
I've got the roadcraft book, which I haven't looked at for years but I'll dig it out of the box and give it another read. I've not done any track time, but would like to at some point, although since I drive an 320d estate it's not exactly a track monster. Saying that I'm more interested in improving my on road skills.
Edit * I'm sure an IAM course would be useful to me though.
Hi What would be the best way to go about improving my driving? I'm not overflowing with time and money, but I would considering doing a course/assessment at some point in the future. Are there any inexpensive courses which would help? IAM / HPC? HPC interests me more but looks expensive? Not to offend anyone but IAM has always seemed to me like old guys in flat caps pottering around at 50 mph*. Not that I want to I want to drive recklessly on public roads, but I want to be able to drive enthusiastically without putting myself or anybody else in danger - whether this is quicker or slower than I currently drive I less important.
I've got the roadcraft book, which I haven't looked at for years but I'll dig it out of the box and give it another read. I've not done any track time, but would like to at some point, although since I drive an 320d estate it's not exactly a track monster. Saying that I'm more interested in improving my on road skills.
Edit * I'm sure an IAM course would be useful to me though.
Edited by clunkbox on Wednesday 12th September 13:39
I am a member of HPC based in Arbroath, so not that far from you, my father is also an HPC member. Either one of us would be delighted to meet with you for a drive to give you a flavour of what HPC is all about. If it were of interest, we can in a way, help prepare you for taking your entry course.
If you are interested, please do drop me a PM and we can take it from there.
Cheers
Scott
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff