Joined IAM - Too slow?
Discussion
Recently joined IAM after an assessment drive.
Yesterday I had my first observed drive. My inital overall impression is how slow I was expected to drive. Gradual braking way back from corners and roundabouts followed by changing down. Was obviously holding up drivers behind me. Also told to take corners at very low speed in low gear - a NSL corner I normally take at 50/55 in 4/5 gear was suggested as a 35mph/3rd corner! Was tailgated more in 1½ hours than I usually experience in a week. I was also criticised for accelerating smartly away after being stopped at traffic lights and out of roundabouts. Was also expected to reduce speed very gradually when approaching a reduction in speed limit. My attitude as always been, previously, not to hold up drivers behind me.
Rather confused at present. Comments please. No doublt VH will say I am being 'tutored' correctly!
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 22:41
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 22:43
Yesterday I had my first observed drive. My inital overall impression is how slow I was expected to drive. Gradual braking way back from corners and roundabouts followed by changing down. Was obviously holding up drivers behind me. Also told to take corners at very low speed in low gear - a NSL corner I normally take at 50/55 in 4/5 gear was suggested as a 35mph/3rd corner! Was tailgated more in 1½ hours than I usually experience in a week. I was also criticised for accelerating smartly away after being stopped at traffic lights and out of roundabouts. Was also expected to reduce speed very gradually when approaching a reduction in speed limit. My attitude as always been, previously, not to hold up drivers behind me.
Rather confused at present. Comments please. No doublt VH will say I am being 'tutored' correctly!
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 22:41
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 22:43
pretty much my experience too. I was doing my best granny driving and criticised for driving agressively. Now believe me, I am a very steady driver when I am in granny-mode. I ran out of winter to do my IAM (summer is too busy) and really didn't get on with the system (that's the IAM system, not the driving system which I practice anyway).
Hey ho.
Graham
Hey ho.
Graham
Think I will carry on and take the test as only another 4/5 observed drives have been suggested as necessary. Not sure how much of the IAM method of driving I will incorporate into my usually driving though.
I should make it clear that a number of failings in my driving have been picked up and I will be correcting them - late indicating on roundabouts, allowing wheel to slip though my hands when exiting a sharp corner/roundabout, etc.
I should make it clear that a number of failings in my driving have been picked up and I will be correcting them - late indicating on roundabouts, allowing wheel to slip though my hands when exiting a sharp corner/roundabout, etc.
Philbes said:
Recently joined IAM after an assessment drive.
Yesterday I had my first observed drive. My inital overall impression is how slow I was expected to drive. Gradual braking way back from corners and roundabouts followed by changing down. Was obviously holding up drivers behind me. Also told to take corners at very low speed in low gear - a NSL corner I normally take at 50/55 in 4/5 gear was suggested as a 35mph/3rd corner! Was tailgated more in 1½ hours than I usually experience in a week. I was also criticised for accelerating smartly away after being stopped at traffic lights and out of roundabouts. Was also expected to reduce speed very gradually when approaching a reduction in speed limit. My attitude as always been, previously, not to hold up drivers behind me.
Rather confused at present. Comments please. No doublt VH will say I am being 'tutored' correctly!
I don't know if you are being tutored correctly or not.
You shouldn't be holding up others unnecessarily in dealing with hazards though. You should be having the right speed for the hazard. Where you may be holding some others up, will be in sticking to the speed limit.
It may of course be that you are not quite adept at employing "the system" yet & this leads to you not being crisp in it's delivery. It's like any new skill, you have to wlak with it before you can run with it. Accuracy is more improtant than speed. You can build that later.
The IAM will not be about teaching you to drive at high speed though (if that's what you were thinking).
>> Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 7th May 23:05
VH quote "he IAM will not be about teaching you to drive at high speed though (if that's what you were thinking)."
No that's not what I was thinking. It's just that the 'technique' and suggested speeds result in driving at speeds well below that I would usually employ (although I would be within the speed limits) and also below the speeds that following drivers seem to believe are reasonable.
However, I wish to raise the standard of my driving to the highest possible, so I will stick with it.
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 23:10
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 23:11
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 23:11
No that's not what I was thinking. It's just that the 'technique' and suggested speeds result in driving at speeds well below that I would usually employ (although I would be within the speed limits) and also below the speeds that following drivers seem to believe are reasonable.
However, I wish to raise the standard of my driving to the highest possible, so I will stick with it.
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 23:10
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 23:11
>> Edited by Philbes on Sunday 7th May 23:11
Philbes said:
VH quote "he IAM will not be about teaching you to drive at high speed though (if that's what you were thinking)."
No that's not what I was thinking. It's just that the 'technique' and suggested speeds result in driving at speeds well below that I would usually employ (although I would be within the speed limits) and also below the speeds that following drivers seem to believe are reasonable.
However, I wish to raise the standard of my driving to the highest possible, so I will stick with it.
Well if you are doing it right, you shouldn't be unnecessarily holding other people up.
>> Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 7th May 23:16
I'd be interested to know if you were on week three. I had a real dip and felt like I was learning to drive again as I found implementing the system and positioning, along with everything else, all too much for my brain to cope with. I really was "like a granny in a Fiesta", to quote Nick Chim. Now that I am familiar with the system and correct road positioning for cornering and other manoeuvres, I find that my driving is far better, much smoother and I do make good progress. You may be pleasantly suprised at how well your driving improves as it all slots into place. The hardest thing for me to master though was sticking to the speed limit. I found that 3rd for 30mph, 4th for 40mph and so on helped a great deal. I would have thought that 5th gear going into a corner would impede progress as you cannot accelerate as keenly out of the corner.
quote VH "Well if you are doing it right, you shouldn't be unnecessarily holding other people up."
That's what I thought before my first observed drive. I shall continue and hope that things improve. It's just that my observer seems to be suggesting much slower speeds and rates of acceleration than I think are reasonable.
I get the impression that I am perhaps being coached to pass the 'test' by meeting the requirments of the 'examiner'. There are frequent references to what 'he' (I won't quote his name) will expect.
That's what I thought before my first observed drive. I shall continue and hope that things improve. It's just that my observer seems to be suggesting much slower speeds and rates of acceleration than I think are reasonable.
I get the impression that I am perhaps being coached to pass the 'test' by meeting the requirments of the 'examiner'. There are frequent references to what 'he' (I won't quote his name) will expect.
EmmaP said:
I'd be interested to know if you were on week three. I had a real dip and felt like I was learning to drive again as I found implementing the system and positioning, along with everything else, all too much for my brain to cope with. I really was "like a granny in a Fiesta", to quote Nick Chim. Now that I am familiar with the system and correct road positioning for cornering and other manoeuvres, I find that my driving is far better, much smoother and I do make good progress. You may be pleasantly suprised at how well your driving improves as it all slots into place. The hardest thing for me to master though was sticking to the speed limit. I found that 3rd for 30mph, 4th for 40mph and so on helped a great deal. I would have thought that 5th gear going into a corner would impede progress as you cannot accelerate as keenly out of the corner.
Sorry, I thought I make it clear that I have only had one observed drive.
Yes, I also use 3rd in 30 limits and 4th in 40 limits (even before becoming involved with the IAM). My car is fairly low-geared so 55mph is 2600rpm and in a NSL (60mph) brisk acceleraltion out of the gentle bend is not required.
Oops! My mistake 
Hope you enjoy the rest of the course. Please keep us posted on your progress 
If it is any consolation, my examiner was fantastic! He made me very much at ease and it was like going for a drive with a friend. In fact, it was such an enjoyable drive, I was disppointed that it came to an end so quickly
>> Edited by EmmaP on Sunday 7th May 23:56
Hope you enjoy the rest of the course. Please keep us posted on your progress If it is any consolation, my examiner was fantastic! He made me very much at ease and it was like going for a drive with a friend. In fact, it was such an enjoyable drive, I was disppointed that it came to an end so quickly
>> Edited by EmmaP on Sunday 7th May 23:56
vonhosen said:
Well if you are doing it right, you shouldn't be unnecessarily holding other people up.
I agree. Although one common thing that (poor) drivers tend to do is lurch into junctions. An Advanced Driver - or simply a competent one - will tend to brake and get the right gear (probably 2nd) in a straight line before having both hands on the wheel to steer smoothly into the junction and then smartly accelerate away.
I find some associates are so keen on getting out of the way of Mr Steam-From-Ears-In-The-X5-With-Bull-bars behind that they feel they must brake, go round the junction in 4th whilst fumbling for 2nd with one hand on the wheel and then find the car is off balance and doesn't want to anything because they've found neutral after it.
The cure?
A long smooth early brake - showing the brake lights to the bloke behind. Taking command of the situation. YES. Hold up the traffic until *you* are at the right speed for the junction - then get out of their way neatly.
Personally I don't give a shit if Steam-From-Ears gets a hump on - I am NOT going into a junction too quick, possibly killing the pedestrian just around it that I cannot yet see, simply because bloke-behind is too dim to leave a decent enough gap to "soak up" traffic ahead's manouevers without changing down.
So VH and I are in probably in total agreement. If you are doing it right you will not unnecessarily hold anyone up. You may well however necessarily hold someone up if it is important for safety.
Comments, VH?
vonhosen said:
Well if you are doing it right, you shouldn't be unnecessarily holding other people up.
Reading into this, if your doing it right, and holding other people up, seems to me its them who arnt doing it right, perhaps driving along at their usual break neck pace perhaps, we'v all seen them, zonk up to a junction, slam on the anchors.
Original post mention slowing down before the speed reduction, I always do this, rather than anchor up, just let the natural road speed drop off, anyway looking forward to the next episode.
I agree completely both with what Don and VonHosen have said.
What I would add though is that I always explain to my associates (I'm an observer) that they will think their driving has got WORSE to start with. Simply because for the first time in many years you are analysing your driving and trying to learn something new. It's not easy - no-one pretends it is, but the fact that you have taken the time out, and the cost, to partake in the course shows you are already two steps ahead.
Stick with it, as others have said, and you will (eventually) notice the benefits, and the use of the system will 'click into place'.
Good luck, and do keep us posted
What I would add though is that I always explain to my associates (I'm an observer) that they will think their driving has got WORSE to start with. Simply because for the first time in many years you are analysing your driving and trying to learn something new. It's not easy - no-one pretends it is, but the fact that you have taken the time out, and the cost, to partake in the course shows you are already two steps ahead.
Stick with it, as others have said, and you will (eventually) notice the benefits, and the use of the system will 'click into place'.
Good luck, and do keep us posted
I was working on cornering yesterday (amoung many other things ), in an unfamilar vehicle and in the wet. It was hard work mentally -- breaking it all down to basics and putting it back together again. It would have been a huge surprise if we hadn't have been going much more slowly than we might normally have gone.
Indeed we did have an impatient driver up the chuff for a lot of corner entry on one NSL section, but we took a different route a few miles on. It was frustrating at times (mainly when my body won't do what its told), but it's a necessary step to improvement.
As others have said - gotta get back to walking properly before you can run properly.
), in an unfamilar vehicle and in the wet. It was hard work mentally -- breaking it all down to basics and putting it back together again. It would have been a huge surprise if we hadn't have been going much more slowly than we might normally have gone. Indeed we did have an impatient driver up the chuff for a lot of corner entry on one NSL section, but we took a different route a few miles on. It was frustrating at times (mainly when my body won't do what its told), but it's a necessary step to improvement.
As others have said - gotta get back to walking properly before you can run properly.
Don said:
Well if you are doing it right, you shouldn't be unnecessarily holding other people up.
So VH and I are in probably in total agreement. If you are doing it right you will not unnecessarily hold anyone up. You may well however necessarily hold someone up if it is important for safety.
Don and Von are absolutely 100% (not that they need me to tell them that).
It would be silly for anyone to suggest that you won't hold anyone up. You will. For example, if you stick to 30mph all the time (in a 30mph zone I might add) then you will DEFINITELY find others behind you that given the opportunity will go faster. Thats because they are in the wrong.
If you get the correct entry speed for all hazards based on the System, then you will DEFINITELY feel others behind who clearly want to go faster, who overtake you, and who go through the next corner a lot faster than you. Thats because they are in the wrong.
So, you won't hold anyone up UNNECESSARILY. But you will hold some up. Thats because you will be driving better, and safer, than them.
But the strange thing is, you may find that your overall journey times start to improve. So you get beterr, safer and quicker. Not bad is it.
P.S. to the numpty in the Punto that that tailgated me all the way through the 30mph zone yesterday. Firstly, tailgating don't worry me, 'cos I am too thick to appreciate the danger, so bring it on. Secondly, well done for waiting for the double white lines up the hill to the blind corner before overtaking. Muppet!
I have seen a couple of references to what happens in which weeks at IAM. Could someone in the know briefly explain what the IAM coaching/training programme is please?
Does it normally have a mechanism/method/timetable/system? One of the reasons (apart from running out of winter sundays) I stopped was because I didn't understand the coaching system. I went out on 3 drives and each one finished with a "you're nearly ready, just another drive or two". I picked up a few good pointers in the drives, but it felt like a bit of a vacuum.
[That's apart from the one who told me I was aggressive, although she did concede that I wasn't agressive as she was challenged on this by the trainee observer in the back!]
Thanks
Graham
PS not to be confused, I am not talking about the IAM driving system. I have read the IAM book and Roadcraft and have practised it for a few years in a self-taught fashion.
Does it normally have a mechanism/method/timetable/system? One of the reasons (apart from running out of winter sundays) I stopped was because I didn't understand the coaching system. I went out on 3 drives and each one finished with a "you're nearly ready, just another drive or two". I picked up a few good pointers in the drives, but it felt like a bit of a vacuum.
[That's apart from the one who told me I was aggressive, although she did concede that I wasn't agressive as she was challenged on this by the trainee observer in the back!]
Thanks
Graham
PS not to be confused, I am not talking about the IAM driving system. I have read the IAM book and Roadcraft and have practised it for a few years in a self-taught fashion.
Our group sets out a table so that you work progressively towards the test, focusing on key aspects of the system and driving each week. As you progress week by week, there will be an overlap from the previous drive. This gives the Observer and yourself the opportunity to appraise the development of particular techniques and your implementation of the system.
Week 1.
System
Speed limits
Mirrors
Signals
Use of gears
Attitude
Week 2.
Observation
Planning
Anticipation
Commentary
Reaction to signs
Steering
Week 3.
Positioning
Acceleration sense
Progress
Week 4.
Cornering
Overtaking
Week 5.
Motorway
Manooeuvering
Weeks 6 and 7 cover all of the above.
Week 1.
System
Speed limits
Mirrors
Signals
Use of gears
Attitude
Week 2.
Observation
Planning
Anticipation
Commentary
Reaction to signs
Steering
Week 3.
Positioning
Acceleration sense
Progress
Week 4.
Cornering
Overtaking
Week 5.
Motorway
Manooeuvering
Weeks 6 and 7 cover all of the above.
One problem I would anticipate, is that following 'the system' will result in you slowing down unusually early for corners and then coasting for some distance while you get any necessary gear change out of the way. This will cause problems for drivers following you who have managed their separation and closing speed on the assumption that you are a typical driver, and will have to change their plans abruptly when you stay on the main carriageway after slowing down rather than turning off promptly. Naturally you will have the nice warm glow of knowing that the difficulties you caused them are their fault not yours.
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