IAM - brisk driving?

[BOF]

Sally,

You are correct in that often an Examiner will comment on the RoSPA level of an IAM drive, but IAM is pass or fail.

One major difference in the organisations is that there are many more IAM Groups than RoSPA Groups - my IAM number is 296*** - my RoSPA number one month later is 196**...so IAM is more accessible.

ANY further education is worthwhile...in the last hour I was at Tesco...3 cars of young 'Chavs'...I gave them IAM leaflets and told them our Group is refunding the full fee to under 21s*...first questions, as ever, "do we get cheaper insurance -do you get on a skid pan?".

Usual answers "Maybe, but you will reduce your chance of a claim by about 70% and No - you will learn how to avoid skids".

Been doing this for a long time and never had any lip, or cheek, from any of these young people..yet put them behind the wheel of a Saxo?
*
www.iam.org.uk/groups/chelmsford/

If I have an 'interested' Associate, I talk to them about doing Observer training and passing on experience...where there is a lack of confidence about 'teaching', going to the further education/experience/practise by trying RoSPA increases confidence to 'teach'...otherwise you get the wee Red sticker on the rear window and possibly revert towards the old habits?

To summarise, Anything we can do to prevent a Traffic man having to knock on a door...Pass Plus, IAM, RoSPA...is worthwhile...go on...try Observer training!

BOF.

Edited by BOF on Friday 14th July 17:44

[raw-sewedge]

With regard to your point about braking and gear changing.

I think you have to remember that the system of car control taught by the IAM is set out in such a way as to make it accessible to everyone.

I’m fortunate enough to own two very different “quick” cars and both respond to different methods of braking and changing gear for corners; but getting it wrong can be catastrophic.

However either car can be driven safely round a corner if using the system.

I was please to pass the IAM test and I think there are many things that I took away from it that have improved my driving. There are also a number of things I’ll never do again after the test, I just use what I feel makes me a safer better driver and try to enjoy driving where I can.

[old bloke]

I'm just 60 years old - and have been driving for 43 years. I have just the one conviction (touch wood) back in 1973 for speeding, 97mph. I was actually doing approx. 135mph, they couldn't keep up in their unmarked Rover 3500 v8.

What I would mostly like to see is a camera system that nicked tail-gaters - should be easy?

Cheers all

[TripleS]

old bloke said:

I'm just 60 years old - and have been driving for 43 years. I have just the one conviction (touch wood) back in 1973 for speeding, 97mph. I was actually doing approx. 135mph, they couldn't keep up in their unmarked Rover 3500 v8.

What I would mostly like to see is a camera system that nicked tail-gaters - should be easy?

Cheers all

Good morning young man - welcome to PH - I hope you enjoy yourself here.

Best wishes all,
Dave - a slightly older old bloke.

[Nismo'D]

This was a very interesting read, I have found myself of late thinking about more advanced driver training.
I recently did a day up at Millbrook Proving grounds, more to do with the performance of my car and ways to handle it at speed than road craft but it was a very interesting and informative day. It also made me realise I have a thirst for wanting to improve my driving some more (recent convert from a high performance bike to a high performance car) but I haven't really decided who I would prefer to go with.

I have always been a bit worried about the image of the IAM and their cardigan wearing observersexaminers and hearing that the OP was told off for his acceleration away from lights and speed is putting me off approaching them. It is interesting however reading some of the cars that people either drive or are observing in and this is also posing to be a quandry for me.

I guess more investigation is required before I can make a decision but thanks for the read.

[A - W]

Nismo'D said:

This was a very interesting read, I have found myself of late thinking about more advanced driver training.
I recently did a day up at Millbrook Proving grounds, more to do with the performance of my car and ways to handle it at speed than road craft but it was a very interesting and informative day. It also made me realise I have a thirst for wanting to improve my driving some more (recent convert from a high performance bike to a high performance car) but I haven't really decided who I would prefer to go with.

I have always been a bit worried about the image of the IAM and their cardigan wearing observersexaminers and hearing that the OP was told off for his acceleration away from lights and speed is putting me off approaching them. It is interesting however reading some of the cars that people either drive or are observing in and this is also posing to be a quandry for me.

I guess more investigation is required before I can make a decision but thanks for the read.

Start here?

www.advanced-driving.co.uk

It should give you an idea to start with.