Road positioning in bends
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm currently on the IAM course, and am finding most parts of it informative, logical and a compliment to my driving (even if some techniques aren't always used
), but one part I cannot completely comprehend is the positioning of yourself and your vehicle through corners. I understand the theory in how hanging out on the edge of the corner gives you better visibility through it and hence earlier warning of hazards etc - hugging the dotted white line for a left, and the solid line for a right hander.
My observer tries to get me to hold the white line until completely round and on the exit of the corner, then to move back to the middle (or right if tackling a left next). I am uncomfortable with this in that I am placing my car (with new unmarked 18" wheels
) closer to the edge of the road than I am comfortable with, picking up all the rubbish that is left by other road users who do not take the same line through the corner, whilst trying to look ahead for the next hazard/limit point/road sign etc.
I am worried that my preoccupation with not knowing the exact width of the car will lead to concentrating more on how close I am to the edge of the road and take more attention away from looking ahead, planning and the rest of it. I anxious that this could lead to me failing for "not seeing the cyclist pulling out because I was looking at the edge of the road too much" or something similar.
People's thoughts and/or advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Andy
I'm currently on the IAM course, and am finding most parts of it informative, logical and a compliment to my driving (even if some techniques aren't always used
), but one part I cannot completely comprehend is the positioning of yourself and your vehicle through corners. I understand the theory in how hanging out on the edge of the corner gives you better visibility through it and hence earlier warning of hazards etc - hugging the dotted white line for a left, and the solid line for a right hander. My observer tries to get me to hold the white line until completely round and on the exit of the corner, then to move back to the middle (or right if tackling a left next). I am uncomfortable with this in that I am placing my car (with new unmarked 18" wheels
) closer to the edge of the road than I am comfortable with, picking up all the rubbish that is left by other road users who do not take the same line through the corner, whilst trying to look ahead for the next hazard/limit point/road sign etc. I am worried that my preoccupation with not knowing the exact width of the car will lead to concentrating more on how close I am to the edge of the road and take more attention away from looking ahead, planning and the rest of it. I anxious that this could lead to me failing for "not seeing the cyclist pulling out because I was looking at the edge of the road too much" or something similar.
People's thoughts and/or advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Andy
Thanks everybody for your replies. Given me some more to think about.
What I'm trying to weigh up (aside from damaging my wheels) is: is it worth positioning myself in a more visible point of the bend, but where more of the "marbles" are and hence giving less grip?
Basically what should come first, grip or position/vision? Obviosly if grip is so bad there is only one answer, but what if you're unsure? I.e. if it looks grippy but is actually not as much as you thought?
Am I making sense to anyone? Not sure if I make sense to myself, but this is as sensical as I could make it during my lunch break!! Lol
Thanks all,
Andy
What I'm trying to weigh up (aside from damaging my wheels) is: is it worth positioning myself in a more visible point of the bend, but where more of the "marbles" are and hence giving less grip?
Basically what should come first, grip or position/vision? Obviosly if grip is so bad there is only one answer, but what if you're unsure? I.e. if it looks grippy but is actually not as much as you thought?
Am I making sense to anyone? Not sure if I make sense to myself, but this is as sensical as I could make it during my lunch break!! Lol
Thanks all,
Andy
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