Complaint about a PH editorial article
Discussion
Could anyone from the editorial team explain the sarcastic and dismissive tone of this news story about an IAM press release?
As you can see from the resulting thread several posters (me included) are very unhappy about the line PH has taken.
Why the hostility? Is it because the author doesn't agree with the advice? Perhaps they think that all PH readers are perfect drivers already, despite the constant stream of threads suggesting otherwise.
There are many of us out here trying to promote better driving standards as the way forward for road safety, fighting against those that propose ever more restrictions and limits on the roads. This article smacks of the 'I'm perfect, it's everyone else that's the problem' attitude that seems to infect all discussions on road driving technique.
It's also interesting that in the resulting thread, the two main posters supporting the view that the advice is too basic to be worth mentioning then go on to demonstrate some serious gaps in their own awareness of what constitutes good driving.
Condemning something from a viewpoint of ignorance isn't helping anybody - especially not people who actually care about driving.
As you can see from the resulting thread several posters (me included) are very unhappy about the line PH has taken.
Why the hostility? Is it because the author doesn't agree with the advice? Perhaps they think that all PH readers are perfect drivers already, despite the constant stream of threads suggesting otherwise.
There are many of us out here trying to promote better driving standards as the way forward for road safety, fighting against those that propose ever more restrictions and limits on the roads. This article smacks of the 'I'm perfect, it's everyone else that's the problem' attitude that seems to infect all discussions on road driving technique.
It's also interesting that in the resulting thread, the two main posters supporting the view that the advice is too basic to be worth mentioning then go on to demonstrate some serious gaps in their own awareness of what constitutes good driving.
Condemning something from a viewpoint of ignorance isn't helping anybody - especially not people who actually care about driving.
Good points
It's a good thread, I read it as an article that was designed to provoke thought and input, and has done so very well!
You are, of course, completely ignoring the posters that have challenged people to go and do IAM and ROSPA and report back however, and those that it has reminded that they were going to look further into it.
I see far more people arguing for advanced driving techniques that against them
It's a good thread, I read it as an article that was designed to provoke thought and input, and has done so very well!
You are, of course, completely ignoring the posters that have challenged people to go and do IAM and ROSPA and report back however, and those that it has reminded that they were going to look further into it.
I see far more people arguing for advanced driving techniques that against them
Hi Ali 
I'm certainly much happier about the way the thread's developed than the original article - although if the tone of it was actually intended to provoke debate it was very well disguised.
The number of experienced posters that started their contributions by expressing surprise at the editorial line suggests I'm not alone, but who knows - it may actually turn out to have a positive result. Here's hoping that Riggers goes through with doing a course and doesn't end up with a less than inspiring Observer. I'm sure the residents of the AD sub-forum would be more than happy to help out on that front.
Are you going to look into it again for yourself? Perhaps we could have a drive together at BTaP in November.
I'm certainly much happier about the way the thread's developed than the original article - although if the tone of it was actually intended to provoke debate it was very well disguised.
The number of experienced posters that started their contributions by expressing surprise at the editorial line suggests I'm not alone, but who knows - it may actually turn out to have a positive result. Here's hoping that Riggers goes through with doing a course and doesn't end up with a less than inspiring Observer. I'm sure the residents of the AD sub-forum would be more than happy to help out on that front.
Are you going to look into it again for yourself? Perhaps we could have a drive together at BTaP in November.
I was pleased that Riggers has said that he'll do an AD course. It would seem appropriate, in this case, do maybe do the IAM course? I do hope that we can get a PH member to be an observer as I'd hate for him to be paired up with your stereotypical observer.
May I suggest either getting in touch with a PH member who is fairly senior in IAM to arrange this? I really think that this would be positive for PH & IAM
May I suggest either getting in touch with a PH member who is fairly senior in IAM to arrange this? I really think that this would be positive for PH & IAM
I'm still looking into it (more in the ah yes, must do that stage tbh 
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