From IAM Member to Observer - Long story...

[LaSarthe+Back]

Well after a brush with the law a couple of years ago, I got interested in an advanced driving course. The deal was that if I was convicted and I promised to do this course, then my penalty would be lightened in order to allow me to do this course. As it turned out, my case was discharged completely and I went about enrolling for the Skill for Life program anyway.

Initially I thought "I'll just do it, pass the test and get the benefit on insurance etc. I can't be bothered to sit of an evening and natter with a load of old boys (and they are 65+) about how his advanced skills allowed him to negotiate an equally old lady with a shopping trolley."

Having been going to every-other-monthly meetings to catch up on developments at IAM HQ amongst other things, I had decided to become more involved in the group and put something back in. This started as being the group's young driver contact. Being 26, I am just young enough for the old boys to call me a whippersnapper, but old enough to pass on meaningful advice to any who may wish to enquire about what the IAM's SfL entails.

Both my Observer and Examiner commented at how well I might do were I to become an Observer for the local group. The Examiner said "Young people don't want to come out in my old daily hack, which'll do 30 eventually. They'd much rather see what application these skills have in relation to a vehicle to which they might aspire to own."

Now, my car's hardly standard which made for some surprised looks from him on the day of my test. He said young [guys especially] would love to see a guy like them driving a modified car who can explain why these skills matter so much.

I thought about it over the summer and decided to look into it further. I thought that I've got nothing to lose and as I constantly moan about others' poor driving standards, I could contribute a tiny part into helping to turn them around. I am nervous about it, as I don't believe myself to be a great teacher, but I guess it will come as I get used to it.

Now I'm just waiting to hear from my Senior Observer when he aquires a new associate to show me the ropes before letting me loose!!

What's your point I hear you say?? Well I guess I am building the scene to be able to ask for some advice in the future and in between meetings. I don't know what kind of advice just yet, but hopefully the PH community will be able to contribute.

Anyway, I'll let you know how I get on, or indeed if I decide to bin it!!

Cheers all,
Andy

[Slacey]

Good for you, it's nice to see someone who has benefited deciding to get involved themselves. I'm in the same position as you, started my observer training a couple of weeks back - and am also waiting for an associate

[A - W]

With being patronising well done for doing the test and then trying to put something back in.

I am twenty seven and probably the youngest observer in our group, and one of the youngest members.
We too have an average age of sixty five plus within our group.

Keep it up, don't bin it and show the kids that it isn't just old duffers that can improve their driving.

Any questions I am sure there are plenty of people that will help on the board and if you don't want to post your more then welcome to email me via my profile.

[TonyHetherington]

I'm 27 also (became observer at 25) and I must admit the time required does get quite difficult, but I've found that it keeps my driving standard up being an observer - rather than just doing the course and "forgetting" about it.

[Vaux]

LaSarthe+Back said:

I am nervous about it, as I don't believe myself to be a great teacher, but I guess it will come as I get used to it.

Now I'm just waiting to hear from my Senior Observer when he aquires a new associate to show me the ropes before letting me loose!!

Well done for trying.
There are some good threads (maybe on here or ADUK) about Observing - the attitude/teaching side rather than the technical side. I'll try and link if I can find.

[TripleS]

LaSarthe+Back said:

I can't be bothered to sit of an evening and natter with a load of old boys (and they are 65+) about how his advanced skills allowed him to negotiate an equally old lady with a shopping trolley.
Cheers all,
Andy

Aye, I know just what you mean. Some of these old buffers can be a bit wearisome.

Anyhow I hope things go well and I'm sure we'll all look forward to hearing how you get on.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Don]

Well I'm a sad old bastard who is 42 and I think you young whippersnappers are doing a great job.

More power to you - we need more people like you in our groups to keep them fresh and help to appeal to the youngsters who are the very people who need us. Good for you. Ask away.

IAM Observer, trainee Senior Observer, IAM/ROSPA etc. Porsche owning pedal-to-the-metal merchant.

[LaSarthe+Back]

Thanks for all the kind words everybody. Another factor in my decision was one of the things that was said at the Regional Forum. The younger drivers are the future of the IAM, those who will carrying on what the older generation have built on already.

Vaux said:

There are some good threads (maybe on here or ADUK) about Observing - the attitude/teaching side rather than the technical side. I'll try and link if I can find.

I've been browsing around there today, looks like a great site, and a very useful resource. Thanks!

TripleS said:

Aye, I know just what you mean. Some of these old buffers can be a bit wearisome.

Anyhow I hope things go well and I'm sure we'll all look forward to hearing how you get on.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

I don't mind if they like to gib on about their sunday drive. If it makes them feel good about driving, all power to them. What I am disappointed about is while they seem to be open to the push for younger members, I get the feeling that they secretly would like it to stay exactly how it is. They tend to sit in their own little groups, and no one can deny them that, it would be rocking the way things have been for years. It just seems an uphill struggle.

Just idle thoughts, hopefully I can show them that not everyone under 30 is a 106 chavvy boy racer.

We'll see!

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Good luck with the training - I'm sure there are quite a few of us observers lurking around here and on AD-UK if you need advice.

[Vaux]

LaSarthe+Back said:

Vaux said:

There are some good threads (maybe on here or ADUK) about Observing - the attitude/teaching side rather than the technical side. I'll try and link if I can find.

I've been browsing around there today, looks like a great site, and a very useful resource. Thanks!

Here's a good one:
http://www.advanced-driving.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php...
Anything by James Allport is good.

[Vaux]

TripleS said:

Aye, I know just what you mean. Some of these old buffers can be a bit wearisome.

Quite. Some old bu%%ers can be a bit!

[TheCaseAce]

Good on you.

I was asked whether I was interested in observing but I couldnt cope with the idea of having to be stood in a car park at 10am every Sunday morning with a bunch of pipe-smoking old gits (who were mostly OK of course, but not exactly a barrel of laughs). Its just too much commitment for a very intangible reward.

Selfish, I know.

[LaSarthe+Back]

Had to wait a while til both my observer and I were free, but have been out on an observed drive with him just to make sure I've not got back into any bad habits since I passed.

Will be taking my first associate in the new year, no date set as yet, waiting to receive details. I went out with another associate and just sat in the back observing the observing. He was quite upset when he was told he was not smooth enough to pass the test.

It's things like this that I am unsure of how to tackle. Staying tactful while still getting across the principles.

Will let you know how it goes!

Merry Christmas one and all!

Andy

[spikeyhead]

LaSarthe+Back said:

It's things like this that I am unsure of how to tackle. Staying tactful while still getting across the principles.

Andy

It's basic teaching theory. Saying "that's not good" isn't good. Saying "try doing this instead" will get more success.

For example, if someone isn't driving smoothly, you need to work out why, is it because they're not observing well and so keep stamping on the brakes or is it because they;re trying to change gear too quickly. Once you've worked that out you can advise them on how to improve, they can put that into practice and enjoy the benefits.

Another important thing is to never criticize enthusiasm, just direct it somewhere useful.

[_Neal_]

Good work - as others have said, keep it up. I'm a recently-qualified observer (at 28) and am enjoying it a lot - seems to keep me more focused on my own driving than I think I otherwise would be.

I also seem to be teaching the younger associates (and in some higher-performance stuff) so that's nice

[Major Bloodnok]

spikeyhead said:

LaSarthe+Back said:

It's things like this that I am unsure of how to tackle. Staying tactful while still getting across the principles.

Andy

It's basic teaching theory. Saying "that's not good" isn't good. Saying "try doing this instead" will get more success.

For example, if someone isn't driving smoothly, you need to work out why, is it because they're not observing well and so keep stamping on the brakes or is it because they;re trying to change gear too quickly. Once you've worked that out you can advise them on how to improve, they can put that into practice and enjoy the benefits.

Another important thing is to never criticize enthusiasm, just direct it somewhere useful.

Exactly. Diagnosing the reason for something and then helping them correct it is vital. It won't come immediately, but have patience - as you observe more drivers, you'll find yourself spotting common failings. For example, I've noticed that the majority of times that an associate complains that pull-push steering is awkward is because they're doing it wrong: and nearly all of those cases come down to them doing pull-grip, pull-grip - i.e. they miss out the "push" bit and just try to reposition their hands for another pull.

Always tell them when they've done it right, too. Balance talking them through a hazard and letting them do it on their own - if they get it right without being guided, be fulsome in praise, especially if they've had problems before.

At the end of the run, give them definite (but attainable) targets to achieve before the next one and always make your final comments about some positive aspect of the drive.

[BOF]

"It's things like this that I am unsure of how to tackle. Staying tactful while still getting across the principles.

Andy"

Andy,

Just think for a moment?

This time next year there may be a family preparing for Christmas dinner...a COMPLETE family... just maybe due to your interest and time given to trying to make the roads safer?

Good enough for me Pal...what we do is not perfect...just the best we can do...?

BOF

[vonhosen]

Cause, Effect, Remedy.

If they want to work on something they'll already know they are not totally happy with an aspect of their drive (effect). Help them identify what exactly that is & why it's happening (cause). Help them find/make a difference that provides a solution (remedy).

They probably know more than you think, try to draw it out of them.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 24th December 21:47

[SVS]

Hi Andy,

Nice one

Have you seen the Young Driver Network on Facebook?

[i]
Group Info Name: Young Driver Network
Type: Organizations - Volunteer Organizations
Description: Young Driver Network is a new group that has just been
set up (official launch date in Spring 08) as part of the Institue of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

We want to get more young drivers taking part, and put the word across that the IAM isn't all about being boring. Its really not.

And you can even get cheaper car insurance...

We want to try and make the group fun, so if any one has any new exciting ideas of days out, or places they'd like to see, stick a message up.

Anyone aged 17 to 30 is free to join and the more people the better, we want to try and get everyone involved.[/i]

Cheers

[LaSarthe+Back]

SVS said:

Hi Andy,

Nice one

Have you seen the Young Driver Network on Facebook?

[i]
Group Info Name: Young Driver Network
Type: Organizations - Volunteer Organizations
Description: Young Driver Network is a new group that has just been
set up (official launch date in Spring 08) as part of the Institue of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

We want to get more young drivers taking part, and put the word across that the IAM isn't all about being boring. Its really not.

And you can even get cheaper car insurance...

We want to try and make the group fun, so if any one has any new exciting ideas of days out, or places they'd like to see, stick a message up.

Anyone aged 17 to 30 is free to join and the more people the better, we want to try and get everyone involved.[/i]

Cheers

Yes, I heard this talked about at the Regional Forum in November. However (and I may be mis-remembering here) I thought Ben's wishes are for it to become entirely seperate from the groups, i.e. group or YDN. not both. IMHO, this will lead to the groups getting smaller and ostracised.

I thought it was the IAM's aim to bring the entire advanced driving demographic together in one melting pot. One of the benefits I get is the different views at the meetings. Granted, some are boring and time may be better spent on other subjects, but we should hear their views and experiences.

Not the speediest person with Facebook tho!

Cheers,
Andy

P.S. does the insurance discount cover modified cars?