A short lived romance!
Discussion
Well I promised to give you some feedback on my involvement with the IAM, so here it is:
This afternoon I met up with my Observer for my first observed drive, and I regret to say it has turned out to be also my last observed drive. In fact the affair can only be described as a complete disaster. All that seems to have been achieved is that I have contributed £85.00 to IAM funds, and they are very welcome to that, as I fully support all meaningful attempts to improve driving standards in this country, but I can see absolutely no future for me as an IAM Associate. I had anticipated some difficulty of course, but the reality proved to be a good deal worse than my most pessimistic expectations.
According to the notes sent to me by the local IAM Group, the first part of the drive should have been representative of my normal driving style, and not an attempt to produce what I thought the Observer would wish to see. This proved not to be the case at all. The Observer was not interested in my normal driving style. All he was interested in was selling The System in the most minute detail. Measured against this standard I have to report that I failed miserably.
My Observer was not happy with the following points:
General handling of the steering wheel.
Steering wheel grip
Too much single handed steering.
Making gear changes while steering.
Inadequate use of mirrors.
Improper use of gears.
Unsatisfactory approach to roundabouts and junctions.
There might have been even more problems, but right now I feel so demoralised I can’t remember them.
For the record, my Observer was a retired gentleman, probably a few years younger than I am, and apparently he was previously a Civil Servant. Anyhow, before we finally went our separate ways I did say to him that I did not think I could meet the requirements for the IAM test, so there seemed little point in us continuing. It also crossed my mind that if I were to continue to try and change to their way of doing things, I might end up being a worse driver than I already am, and I’m quite serious about that. I shall quite understand if some of you have difficulty with that concept.
In this context I would ask the reader to bear in mind that my system has been evolved and refined over a very long period of time and a huge mileage, and it has given very good results, and biased though I am, I would suggest that there is little sign of it failing to cope satisfactorily with practically any scenario that one might encounter while driving. In view of that it seems wrong that it should be brushed aside and totally rejected on the strength of an ‘assessment’ lasting no more than 30 minutes in which we covered little more than 10 miles.
My conclusion from this sorry episode is this:
The IAM is a long established and respected organisation, well placed to make a major contribution to the cause of improved driving standards and road safety. Even so, there is a serious problem with their image, attitude and style, and until some improvements are made they are not going to achieve what needs doing in terms of improving driver performance and road safety. This is not just my view, as I understand many other people decide against joining the IAM through such concerns, and young drivers are particularly likely to be put off by this. The relative failure of the Max Power initiative, aimed at young drivers, seems to bear this out all too well.
You may recall that after a long period during which I criticised the IAM from the outside, I came to the view that what I should be doing is joining them and trying to help from the inside, but following my experience this afternoon that approach does not seem to be workable. Nevertheless, I shall not give up on this.
The IAM has the potential to be a much stronger force in the pursuit of better driving standards and improved road safety for all road users, and especially young drivers, in whom I have a particular interest, but substantial changes to their approach will be needed if that potential is to be realised.
I am truly sorry about what has happened this afternoon, but clearly a re-think is necessary on my part, and perhaps by others. Maybe if the IAM is not willing to make suitable changes another new organisation might be needed to take their place.
Quite probably many of you will feel that the blame for the fiasco this afternoon lies entirely with me, in which by all means feel free to let me know - but I don’t think it is quite so clear cut as all that.
My best wishes to you all,
Dave.
This afternoon I met up with my Observer for my first observed drive, and I regret to say it has turned out to be also my last observed drive. In fact the affair can only be described as a complete disaster. All that seems to have been achieved is that I have contributed £85.00 to IAM funds, and they are very welcome to that, as I fully support all meaningful attempts to improve driving standards in this country, but I can see absolutely no future for me as an IAM Associate. I had anticipated some difficulty of course, but the reality proved to be a good deal worse than my most pessimistic expectations.
According to the notes sent to me by the local IAM Group, the first part of the drive should have been representative of my normal driving style, and not an attempt to produce what I thought the Observer would wish to see. This proved not to be the case at all. The Observer was not interested in my normal driving style. All he was interested in was selling The System in the most minute detail. Measured against this standard I have to report that I failed miserably.
My Observer was not happy with the following points:
General handling of the steering wheel.
Steering wheel grip
Too much single handed steering.
Making gear changes while steering.
Inadequate use of mirrors.
Improper use of gears.
Unsatisfactory approach to roundabouts and junctions.
There might have been even more problems, but right now I feel so demoralised I can’t remember them.
For the record, my Observer was a retired gentleman, probably a few years younger than I am, and apparently he was previously a Civil Servant. Anyhow, before we finally went our separate ways I did say to him that I did not think I could meet the requirements for the IAM test, so there seemed little point in us continuing. It also crossed my mind that if I were to continue to try and change to their way of doing things, I might end up being a worse driver than I already am, and I’m quite serious about that. I shall quite understand if some of you have difficulty with that concept.
In this context I would ask the reader to bear in mind that my system has been evolved and refined over a very long period of time and a huge mileage, and it has given very good results, and biased though I am, I would suggest that there is little sign of it failing to cope satisfactorily with practically any scenario that one might encounter while driving. In view of that it seems wrong that it should be brushed aside and totally rejected on the strength of an ‘assessment’ lasting no more than 30 minutes in which we covered little more than 10 miles.
My conclusion from this sorry episode is this:
The IAM is a long established and respected organisation, well placed to make a major contribution to the cause of improved driving standards and road safety. Even so, there is a serious problem with their image, attitude and style, and until some improvements are made they are not going to achieve what needs doing in terms of improving driver performance and road safety. This is not just my view, as I understand many other people decide against joining the IAM through such concerns, and young drivers are particularly likely to be put off by this. The relative failure of the Max Power initiative, aimed at young drivers, seems to bear this out all too well.
You may recall that after a long period during which I criticised the IAM from the outside, I came to the view that what I should be doing is joining them and trying to help from the inside, but following my experience this afternoon that approach does not seem to be workable. Nevertheless, I shall not give up on this.
The IAM has the potential to be a much stronger force in the pursuit of better driving standards and improved road safety for all road users, and especially young drivers, in whom I have a particular interest, but substantial changes to their approach will be needed if that potential is to be realised.
I am truly sorry about what has happened this afternoon, but clearly a re-think is necessary on my part, and perhaps by others. Maybe if the IAM is not willing to make suitable changes another new organisation might be needed to take their place.
Quite probably many of you will feel that the blame for the fiasco this afternoon lies entirely with me, in which by all means feel free to let me know - but I don’t think it is quite so clear cut as all that.
My best wishes to you all,
Dave.
Don, Omegac, and even my favourite sparring partner Mark 
- you're all very kind and I don't want you going to a lot of trouble in pursuit of something that still might not work in the end.
I will try to keep an open mind about this subject, but the inescapable fact is that I have a system that enables me to get good results. Of course it does not fully comply with The System, but I venture to suggest that the results are not too dissimilar.
I know that simply having had a long driving career does not guarantee anything, one could have been extremely lucky to stay relatively trouble free. Even so, I think I've reached a stage where I know what works, and what probably doesn't.
As for getting bogged down in too much rigidity, I really do have a problem with that, and I feel sure that is what I was faced with. You may not be convinced by this (and it is perhaps an odd notion) but suppose my Observer had been blindfolded this afternoon and had to make his judgement based on how the progress of the car felt to him then. He would have found that we made smooth progress in terms of acceleration, braking, gear changes, steering etc., complete freedom from sudden actions on my part, in fact nothing to upset him at all. He would not have known how the steering wheel was handled, and it didn't matter. The results in terms of car behaviour were OK, but there was just no relaxation of the detailed demands.
I did query the circumstances in which push-pull steering could be dispensed with, as I thought it would not be demanded at very low speed when driving, for example, through a car parking area, but he would not accept that. The only time push-pull was not required was, he reckoned, while reversing. I asked if push-pull was demanded in the interests of smoother steering control, as some do mention that aspect, but he said push-pull is essential to ensure proper steering control. Even while making a simple turn at about walking pace? Apparently so! This makes no practical sense to me.
In a way, I feel that this example of IAM mentality is far from being in the best interests of higher driving standards. This is parrot functioning, not thinking on a rational basis at all. I have no fundamental quarrel with The System itself, but I simply can not live with this total lack of flexibility in the detailed application of it. As usual I shall try to keep all these thoughts in mind, but at the moment I think I need a breathing space. I'm sorry gentlemen, perhaps we can talk another time. In the meantime a level of confidence that had developed over many years has been undermined in less than an hour, and I need to recover it.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
>> Edited by TripleS on Saturday 25th February 18:39
- you're all very kind and I don't want you going to a lot of trouble in pursuit of something that still might not work in the end. I will try to keep an open mind about this subject, but the inescapable fact is that I have a system that enables me to get good results. Of course it does not fully comply with The System, but I venture to suggest that the results are not too dissimilar.
I know that simply having had a long driving career does not guarantee anything, one could have been extremely lucky to stay relatively trouble free. Even so, I think I've reached a stage where I know what works, and what probably doesn't.
As for getting bogged down in too much rigidity, I really do have a problem with that, and I feel sure that is what I was faced with. You may not be convinced by this (and it is perhaps an odd notion) but suppose my Observer had been blindfolded this afternoon and had to make his judgement based on how the progress of the car felt to him then. He would have found that we made smooth progress in terms of acceleration, braking, gear changes, steering etc., complete freedom from sudden actions on my part, in fact nothing to upset him at all. He would not have known how the steering wheel was handled, and it didn't matter. The results in terms of car behaviour were OK, but there was just no relaxation of the detailed demands.
I did query the circumstances in which push-pull steering could be dispensed with, as I thought it would not be demanded at very low speed when driving, for example, through a car parking area, but he would not accept that. The only time push-pull was not required was, he reckoned, while reversing. I asked if push-pull was demanded in the interests of smoother steering control, as some do mention that aspect, but he said push-pull is essential to ensure proper steering control. Even while making a simple turn at about walking pace? Apparently so! This makes no practical sense to me.
In a way, I feel that this example of IAM mentality is far from being in the best interests of higher driving standards. This is parrot functioning, not thinking on a rational basis at all. I have no fundamental quarrel with The System itself, but I simply can not live with this total lack of flexibility in the detailed application of it. As usual I shall try to keep all these thoughts in mind, but at the moment I think I need a breathing space. I'm sorry gentlemen, perhaps we can talk another time. In the meantime a level of confidence that had developed over many years has been undermined in less than an hour, and I need to recover it.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
>> Edited by TripleS on Saturday 25th February 18:39
Can I just say that I do appreciate all your kind comments and helpful suggestions, and the elements of criticism directed at me. It was not all the Observer's fault, as I can be a tricky blighter somewhat set in my ways and very much inclined to question changes that I do not see as beneficial.
I will carefully review what has been said here, and I need to reply to some of your contributions, but apart from that I think it would be best if this topic were to be allowed to fade away now.
Very best wishes all,
Dave.
I will carefully review what has been said here, and I need to reply to some of your contributions, but apart from that I think it would be best if this topic were to be allowed to fade away now.
Very best wishes all,
Dave.
cptsideways said:
I've got to say I've spoken to several people recently & they have come back with similar feelings.
My point of view is the IAM & ilk should initially concentrate on hazard awareness, improvemnet of hazrad perecption, then & only then move onto driver control & etiquette (unless its blaringly obvious something needs to be done)
Quite how steering wheel hand position & use is more important than hazard perception I don't know.
I'm afraid I felt as if I was back in the era of my first driving lessons - and not showing much promise!
Best wishes all,
Dave.
If I may just offer the following update:
This evening I had a telephone call from the Training Officer of the IAM Scarborough Group. He expressed his concern about what happened on Tuesday afternoon, and suggested that we have a trip out together with him as Observer, to make a leisurely assessment of the situation.
After a suitable breathing space I shall be happy to co-operate with this attempt to get things back on the rails.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
This evening I had a telephone call from the Training Officer of the IAM Scarborough Group. He expressed his concern about what happened on Tuesday afternoon, and suggested that we have a trip out together with him as Observer, to make a leisurely assessment of the situation.
After a suitable breathing space I shall be happy to co-operate with this attempt to get things back on the rails.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
omegac said:
General handling of the steering wheel.
Steering wheel grip
Too much single handed steering.
Making gear changes while steering.
Inadequate use of mirrors.
Improper use of gears.
Unsatisfactory approach to roundabouts and junctions.
Dave...did he explain why those things were not correct or just criticise?
I joined my local group and was shocked by the standard of the observer I went out with. I am now getting into observing for Rospa, and so far have been much more impressed.
To me it felt pretty much like undiluted criticism, with not much explanation or willingness to discuss. It seemed to be a matter of...'Do it this way and don't argue!'
What made it worse was that there was really no encouragement of any kind to offset the (at least partly justified) criticism. It all felt a bit grim overall.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Don said:
General handling of the steering wheel.
Steering wheel grip
Too much single handed steering.
Making gear changes while steering.
Inadequate use of mirrors.
Improper use of gears.
Unsatisfactory approach to roundabouts and junctions.
Dave...did he explain why those things were not correct or just criticise?
And did you get a "demo" drive? Someone should *show* you how to do all those things right - or as right as they can make them on the day, anyway, no-one's perfect...
No, I had not had any demonstration drives prior to my first observed drive, but this morning I met up with an IAM/RoSPA/HPC gentleman and we spent above four hours together. I drove from Saltburn - Whitby - Scarborough - Pickering - Whitby - Saltburn, and then we repeated the process with the other car and driver.
This confirmed that I do not meet IAM standards at present, but at least I had the opportunity to see what their standard is supposed to look like. Again, faults were found with my driving, and the following points were mentioned:
1. I tend to go into some bends a bit too quickly in relation to the available vision. It was not a major thing, but the speed was judged to be a bit high in some cases.
2. My 'slingshot' overtaking technique was frowned on somewhat, but I maintain this is a natural response to the fact that I drive a fairly low powered car.
3. My driving is not considered to be progressive. Quite often I do not accelerate hard enough into NSL areas, and I tend to drive a bit below the NSL in cases where I could get on a little faster. Also I sometimes fail to be positive enough about looking for overtaking opportunities.
Point 1. I accept this and it is indeed something to think about and adjust, of course.
Point 2. Again I am aware there are potential dangers with this, but I have long been aware of that, and I believe the technique is valid so long as it is applied with due caution.
Point 3. Very disappointing this one. I have always taken the view that I can make very good progress when I wish to do so, but I do not see why I should be expected to drive like that all the time. If I feel like proceeding at a fairly leisurely pace, why should I not do that, so long as I do not cause any inconvemience to others who may wish to drive more quickly? For advanced driving purposes I can see the relevance of being required to demonstrate the ability to make good progress, but it ought not to be necessary to drive like that all the time.
Anyhow these are all matters to be worked on if I wish to pursue the matter of an IAM test.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
mefoster said:
Quite probably many of you will feel that the blame for the fiasco this afternoon lies entirely with me, in which by all means feel free to let me know - but I don’t think it is quite so clear cut as all that.
You're probably expecting me to say, "Nyeerr nyeerrr told ya so!". But I won't.
Whilst your description of the events does sound like you were averse to learning, the fact that you went there at all demonstrates otherwise. Unfortunately, it would appear that my worst fears have been confirmed and you got precisely the kind of obeserver that I hoped you wouldn't. It would appear that there is rather a lot of criticism, no explanation as to why, and most importantly, no demonstration. It is a real shame that your first encounter has only served to bolster your pre-conceptions as you have already won half the battle by seeking to improve.
If you weren't so far away, I would teach you myself.
Don't give up, just try to find someone that you can get on with. If you never listen to anything else I say, trust me on this; Once you have learned and made the switch to The System, you will NEVER look back.
I know we have had our differences Mark, and I expect we shall do so again, but I was not expecting you to say 'I told you so' - so thanks for not doing!
As for teaching me yourself - well obviously that's not on, but thank you for that thought. In any case I shall be happy to meet you should the opportunity arise sometime.
With regard to me switching to The System, well I thought I had incorporated The System into my driving, at least partially, though nobody seems to agree with me about that. To me there is a real mystery here.
You may recall from urd a chap named 'Silk' from South Gloucestershire. He once said that prior to his IAM training he was doing panic braking very frequently indeed, but after his IAM training the panic braking declined to only a few times a week, or something. A few times a week!!!!
Good grief, my need to take urgent action of any kind is probably no more frequent than maybe once a year, and that's about it. OK, so I'm not applying The System very well, but I must be doing something right. I hardly ever find myself being taken by surprise by anything while driving, so there is something odd about this entire business, and right now I don't know what it is.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Mr Beckerman said:
You've made the first step, so why not continue? A bad experience for 30 minutes shouldn't taint your continued enjoyment of improving your driving. You've been vocal in your opinions and how you wanted to get your opinions across, and where as I may not agree with a lot of your posts (I've lurked on Usenet and seen the threads) all credit to you for taking the bull by the horns and getting stuck in. If more people did, I'm sure our roads would be a better place.
It really is a worthwhile experience to learn and be able to correctly implement the system, it is also equally important to continue to use and implement the system after achieving the standard. To me,that's the most important point, maintaining the standard, unlike a colleague of mine (IAM member) who has an interesting interpretation of parts of the system.....
Give it another go. You've nothing to lose and an awful lot of satisfaction to gain.
I don't know about taking the bull by the horns. Right now it feels as if I've jumped starkers into the middle of a gorse bush. For some reason it seemed like a good idea at the time, but now....?
There might in due course be a degree of satisfaction to be felt, but at the moment I think I'm doing more harm than good. As for my continued enjoyment of driving, that was absolutely fine and always had been, but it isn't now and it remains to be seen if it ever does come back properly. Even if it does, I can't see it being better than it was a week ago.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
7db said:
TripleS - Good report back.
Can I ask why you want to learn advanced techniques, when you have a system of your own that works?
At the bottom of that question, I think, lies the answer to how and where you'll go from here.
Thanks for the compliment.
The answer to your question is this - I grumbled from the outside about what I thought was wrong with the IAM for so long, and then I thought it would be better to get in and try to help from the inside. At the moment it looks unlikely that I shall get in properly, and even if I do I won't be in a position to change anything. Other people, better qualified than I am, appear to have already tried that without much success.
As for the advanced techniques - this is where I'm going to sound complacent again, sorry. My style* will compare quite unfavourably with the textbook, that much is beyond dispute, but in reality, out on the road, in what way is my style inferior? That is what I am having difficulty in seeing. It is certainly different, but is it really less safe?
* I am trying to get away from referring to 'my system' in order to avoid confusion with The System, though there doesn't seem to be much comparison.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
xiphias said:
I can understand where TS is coming from.
My observer did nothing apart from give directions and a few bits of local knowledge. He then gave me a quick 5 minute debrief. Thumbs on wheel, too many slightly unnecessary gear changes and a few other bits. It wasn't a dressdown, more just observations. Following this, he took me along the same route with full commentary. This direct comparison, as my drive was fresh in my mind, pointed out the little differences between us two, and made me realise a few of the things I'd missed. The idea I believe was to teach by osmosis. It worked quite well, and helped prove it's not too difficult to get to a higher standard (The impression I had anyway, I hope it's the right one!). I think the IAM needs a lesson in teaching, as a few members seeem to teach by parrot fashion, which I hoped died out a long time ago.
Very nice. I am extremely envious of you having that type of Observer. Working with somebody like that I might have a bit better hope of some success. If that didn't work, then I would feel it was all my fault.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
ya55erm said:
With me being 23yrs old, the only thing i worry about when wanting to apply for the IAM is that i dont want some plonker aged 9 million, looking down his bifocals at the nike shox that i'm wearing, telling me that my aftershave is a bit to sweet to go with the road surface i am traveling on!
I understand where your coming from Dave, the observer should have know the fact that you are looking to improve your driving standard before being tested against it and it was unfair this has happened.
If i was in your situation and the observer did as he did with you id give him a piece of my mind regardless of how good a driver he might be!
No excuses!
Teach Dont Preach!
Well yes I've also had some pretty harsh thoughts about all this. On the other hand I'm also mindful of the fact that these Observers do what they do voluntarily and without payment. It therefore seems a shame if their unpaid efforts are being partially wasted, which they surely will be if the regime is like the one I encountered.
Incidentally, I don't know how good a driver he is...I had no opportunity to see!
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Don said:
Dear oh dear.
[realitycheckmode=on]
Its not the Observer's job to convince you they're right. They don't have to. Its their job to show you how to drive using the Police System of Roadcraft. You can disagree with it. But this is like complaining to Trafpol that they should catch some real criminals instead of doing you for 95 on the M4...you can't win and all you'll do is make his day shit. Nice one, eh! Instead why not write to the Chief Examiner of the IAM to let him know he's wrong. Maybe if you have string of driving qualifications to your name and are, perhaps, at least nationally well known for your driving talents - like, say, Nigel Mansell, perhaps he'll listen, take what you're saying on-board and ensure that the next edition of Roadcraft gets updated with your sage wisdom.
[realitycheckmode=off]
Hmm. Nigel Mansell achieved success at the highest pinnacle of motor racing which delighted us all, but this does not, I suggest, relate very usefully to how he might be as a driver on public roads. He might be brilliant, but maybe not, I don't know. I don't think the Formula One successes help that much, do they?
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Don - I am not saying the body of work is wrong, because quite clearly it isn't. I'm simply offering the opinion that my failure to apply The System in a formal textbook fashion, is not producing an inferior result.
As for annoying the pig, I think I had better try to stop doing that.
"Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you, pigs treat you as equals. I like pigs."
Those words - or some very similar, are attributed to Winston Churchill.
FiF - thanks for your comments. They are much appreciated.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
As for annoying the pig, I think I had better try to stop doing that.
"Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you, pigs treat you as equals. I like pigs."
Those words - or some very similar, are attributed to Winston Churchill.
FiF - thanks for your comments. They are much appreciated.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
7db said:
TripleS - The thing about rigorously applying the System, as FiF indicates, is that you then develop muscle memory and habit for when it is needed.
Yes, and I have done, and it works well for me. As I have said repeatedly, this has been a long evolutionary process that copes with whatever situations present themselves. I don't wish to labour this point, but on this very site you will find plenty of examples of people complaining about all the terrible driving they are suffering at the hands of others. When did I last come here complaining about being cut up
or having near misses or shunts etc.? I am sorry to hear about others having these difficulties, but they do not seem to be happening to me.
7db said:
When the crunch comes, the habits will be there for you.
The habits already are there for me, at least in some effective form, and the crunches are not coming, well they haven't yet, though one might, tomorrow. That is not indicative of complacency on my part. I do accept that things could go wrong for me, and if/when they do, then you can tell me you told me so if you want.
7db said:
The gear-lever grip, as an example of something you've given, is one that caught me out. I don't need this cupped grip nonsense, say I.
Actually I made no reference to gear lever grip. The grip thing related only to the steering wheel.
7db said:
You might not be interested in driving other cars, but the different bits of the system are there for you if you learn them. But even if you just want half of them, then that's better than no bread.
You seem to have overlooked the fact that I drive a great many different cars regularly. In the course of my car delivery work, which occupies me two or three days a week typically, I drive virtually the entire current Ford range, plus lots of 'old' return vehicles from fleet customers, plus a wide variety of rental cars. Whatever these cars happen to be, I find I can produce smooth and secure progress with any of them.
On reflection perhaps I've taken your 'other cars' example too literally, but maybe not, having regard to your 'gear lever grip' example.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
>> Edited by TripleS on Sunday 26th February 12:15
>> Edited by TripleS on Sunday 26th February 12:17
It is clear that we are going to get nowhere with this. Obviously I made a mistake in joining the IAM, and there is nothing to be gained for any of us. All I seem to have achieved is the introduction of conflict for no good purpose, and though I think my intentions were good, I have obviously failed to convince you of the merits of my case. This IAM business was a rash move on my part, which I now regret.
Ever since I joined PistonHeads about two years ago I have enjoyed discussing various things with you, but it looks as if I am ill equipped to make any constructive contributions, so I will bid you all farewell. I am sorry about this, but there we are.
Enjoy your motoring, but take care and please accept my sincere best wishes,
Dave.
Ever since I joined PistonHeads about two years ago I have enjoyed discussing various things with you, but it looks as if I am ill equipped to make any constructive contributions, so I will bid you all farewell. I am sorry about this, but there we are.
Enjoy your motoring, but take care and please accept my sincere best wishes,
Dave.
deeps said:
Dave, I saw your post in SPL which led me here, I don't usually come to this section.
Having read this, I'm sure my view of IAM is similar to yours, just being told not to use thumbs around the steering wheel would be enough to turn me off for good. (I use thumbs and consider it very important to me).
I think if your own system is good for you and it sounds like it is, then don't try to change it.
Anyway, nice to see you back.
Hello Deeps, thanks for your kind comments.
Since that first observed drive I have taken some time to recover to a stage of being comfortable about driving, but I'm getting there. Whether that amounts to me being a good, mediocre or bad driver, I know not, and what is more I couldn't care less - for the moment.
Now that will sound like an extremely bad attitude on my part, but I have felt obliged to take that defiant stance as an aid to recovering some confidence. All I am interested in at present is being safe and reliable, and making satisfactory and harmonious progress - my way - which is how it used to be.
Anyhow, I shall go to the second of two IAM classroom sessions tomorrow evening, and a run out with the Chief Observer is still on the cards so we'll see what happens.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Fat Audi 80 said:
If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion Dave.
Book 4 hours with Ridedrive. They are ex and serving police officers that teach advanced driving WITHOUT tearing your driving apart, by being positive and teaching you what you would like to know or be able to do. It is much easier to take advice from a Class One police driver that from another MOP too.
I did 2 x 4 hour session with Ridedrive last year and it was the best money I have ever spent in terms of cars and driving experiences. All my good habits were underlined and confidence given and also new techniques taught that have improved my driving no end.
I was also told at the end of the second session when I enquired about joining the IAM that the instructor did not think the techniques I had been taught "would fit in with their approach" and that i would probably not enjoy it.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Steve
Hello Steve - yes that does help a good deal, thanks. I will admit that I have started to review my attitude to formal coaching, and a bit of time with Ride-Drive is beginning to look more appealing. Talk about late starters...!
BTW, I was sorry to hear of your overtaking problem the other week, and I hope you're now OK about it.
Take care,
Dave.
vonhosen said:
It's all about smoothness, isn't it? You want to avoid anything that disturbs the balance of the car, and the closer you are to the limit of grip the more sensitive the car will be to sudden changes in steering, acceleration or braking. If you can change gear smoothly with no abrupt changes in acceleration then the conventional wisdom of "don't change gear while doing anything else" is no longer an issue. You still need to ensure that any gear change doesn't compromise your control over the steering or braking, but it's hard to be prescriptive about that because it depends on the driver's capabilities.
True, the only thing I would add is that if you are driving to the roadcraft system you shouldn't ever be near the limit of grip (or your limits).
Peter - thanks for that, I think you've explained my own reasoning on this matter very well. Changing gear at the same time as steering while driving a normal car in a smooth and gentle fashion need not (IMHO) present any problem with instability or diminshed control.
On the other hand if one were to be steering and changing gear while giving a TVR (for example) some welly on a corner or roundabout, then that would be asking for trouble.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff