Simple question on commentary

[EmmaP]

My opinion is that your commentary was concise, clear and to the point. I thought that his was rather long winded. The point at which one enters the roundabout is an exit as well as an entrance.

[900T-R]

I'd still would have asked the instructor if that meant to turn around and travel the same road in the opposite direction, though...

'coz I'm thick, o'course

[Pigeon]

combover said:

Pigeon said:

I'd think of it as 3 exits if I wasn't intending to come back the same way and 4 exits if I was... fortunately the two descriptions correspond to the same model.

How can the physical make up of something change so significantly depending on what you are going to do when you get there? If you can see it as having four exits from one perspective, then what you actually do at it won't change this.

That's what "fortunately the two descriptions correspond to the same model" refers to

[BOF]

Which Peter Sellars/ Dr Clouseau movie had the music;

"Pedant, Pedant, pedant pedant pedant pedant...

The perfect drive is still waiting to be done...the hearses will be out tomorrow going to the cemetaries...for the 5 who died today on our roads?

Anyone doing further education in driving is to be commended - at any level - scuse the rant?

BOF.

[7db]

EmmaP said:

The point at which one enters the roundabout is an exit as well as an entrance.

That's pretty extreme offside positioning you've got there.

Like your style.

[EmmaP]

7db said:

EmmaP said:

The point at which one enters the roundabout is an exit as well as an entrance.

That's pretty extreme offside positioning you've got there.

Like your style.

[ashes]

I have always been put off from taking an advanced driving test by the commentary - I find I get very distracted if I have to verbalise all that is going through my mind. I find the same thing when I ride horses - I can't give comment on what I am doing while I am doing it.

I think this may be to do with the way people absorb information - anyone else have this problem and how can it be dealt with?

[BliarsGoing]

ashes said:

I have always been put off from taking an advanced driving test by the commentary - I find I get very distracted if I have to verbalise all that is going through my mind. I find the same thing when I ride horses - I can't give comment on what I am doing while I am doing it.

I think this may be to do with the way people absorb information - anyone else have this problem and how can it be dealt with?

I just view it as thinking aloud and it does help. What seems to happen is that as you explain to yourself what's ahead you instinctively are prepared to deal with it. When you're commentating you get less surprises as you're already pointing out the potential hazards to yourself and reacting/preparing accordingly.

[Flat in Fifth]

ashes said:

I have always been put off from taking an advanced driving test by the commentary - I find I get very distracted if I have to verbalise all that is going through my mind. I find the same thing when I ride horses - I can't give comment on what I am doing while I am doing it.

I think this may be to do with the way people absorb information - anyone else have this problem and how can it be dealt with?

What I ask people is to start with calling out every sign they see.

Most people can cope with that plus it gives a clue as to observation.
Then add in signs that are not official road signs.

eg Direction sign to building site.

Then add in observation links.

Sign building site, possible lorries, and mud on road.

Then add in other things.

Surface change, left wheels on repaired surface, possible uneven grip.

Then add in what you will do.

Approaching bend, grass / hedge clipping, possibility cutter round bend, mirror, nobody behind, will slow down and position well out.

Practice Practice, even without formal training amazing how observation and a plan develops.
You WILL find that you can't keep up. Which might mean that you are going a bit quick.

edited to add following,
To me the key is to be concise, which is where I had the failure to agree with one of the others and I guess was the point of starting the thread. On a much earlier thread Vonhosen gives a far better description and breakdown on this than I can.

PS Took ages to type this got 50 gazillion interruptions so if it doesn't make sense, apologies.

Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 11th October 13:20

[BliarsGoing]

Flat in Fifth said:

ashes said:

I have always been put off from taking an advanced driving test by the commentary - I find I get very distracted if I have to verbalise all that is going through my mind. I find the same thing when I ride horses - I can't give comment on what I am doing while I am doing it.

I think this may be to do with the way people absorb information - anyone else have this problem and how can it be dealt with?

What I ask people is to start with calling out every sign they see.

Most people can cope with that plus it gives a clue as to observation.
Then add in signs that are not official road signs.

eg Direction sign to building site.

Then add in observation links.

Sign building site, possible lorries, and mud on road.

Then add in other things.

Surface change, left wheels on repaired surface, possible uneven grip.

Then add in what you will do.

Approaching bend, grass / hedge clipping, possibility cutter round bend, mirror, nobody behind, will slow down and position well out.

Practice Practice, even without formal training amazing how observation and a plan develops.
You WILL find that you can't keep up. Which might mean that you are going a bit quick.

edited to add following,
To me the key is to be concise, which is where I had the failure to agree with one of the others and I guess was the point of starting the thread. On a much earlier thread Vonhosen gives a far better description and breakdown on this than I can.

PS Took ages to type this got 50 gazillion interruptions so if it doesn't make sense, apologies.

Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 11th October 13:20

Concentration.....

[ashes]

Ta FiF, much appreciated.

Will start off gently and see how I go

Ken

[Davi]

ashes said:

I have always been put off from taking an advanced driving test by the commentary - I find I get very distracted if I have to verbalise all that is going through my mind. I find the same thing when I ride horses - I can't give comment on what I am doing while I am doing it.

I think this may be to do with the way people absorb information - anyone else have this problem and how can it be dealt with?

I have the same problem - sort of. I can do a running commentary OK so long as there is nothing untoward happening, or in other words, right up to the point that the commentary is considered most important at that point I just stop talking and concentrate 100% on what I'm doing! It's not voluntary either, seems to be too well programmed in.

Edited by Davi on Wednesday 11th October 14:25

[Vaux]

ashes said:

I have always been put off from taking an advanced driving test by the commentary.....

You don't have to do commentary for IAM or RoADAR.

Don't worry......

[StressedDave]

Nor for that matter do you have to for HPC... at the higher levels of attainment within HPC it's expected that you should be able to give some form of commentary, but there's none of the rigour of aping the Police expected.

[7db]

My (rather simple) understanding on commentary is that it for use:-

i) (as driver) when you are trying explain to your (inexperienced) co-driver where he should be looking.

ii) (as co-driver) to slow down your (hooligan) driver when he's hooning on a bit and you're not sure if he's spotted everything.

Obviously the pinnacle of commentary is to still drive like a hooligan and be able to talk about it...

[over_the_hill]

7db said:

Obviously the pinnacle of commentary is to still drive like a hooligan and be able to talk about it...

Anyway, if you wanted to take the 4th exit and come back the same way wouldn't it be better to just handbrake it and avoid the roundabout altogether ?
I'll get me coat.

[Flat in Fifth]

7db said:

Obviously the pinnacle of commentary is to still drive like a hooligan and be able to talk about it...

Definitely like your style.

Obviously a somewhat provocative comment follows.

What 7db should have said:

Obviously the pinnacle of commentary is to still drive like a hooligan and be able to talk about it whilst simultaneously :cough: honing one's skills...

Now is that my coat?

[wbr4bruce]

Sod it, just say you're going Aberdonian, you are going to make a ewe turn

[slowinfastout]

Gents.

We shouldn't get hung up about it. Do your best and so long as what you are saying is being understood and your speed /observation is working well, I think the issue over three/four exits is in reality nit picking.