How can i make myself a safer driver?
Discussion
How can i make myself a safer driver without going down the expensive route of training/test?
What techniques do the Traffic Police use that i can incorparate into my everyday driving?
Im hoping to just pick up advice off of this site... and will greatly appreciate any officers able to give out pointers.
Many thanks in advance.
Lee
What techniques do the Traffic Police use that i can incorparate into my everyday driving?
Im hoping to just pick up advice off of this site... and will greatly appreciate any officers able to give out pointers.
Many thanks in advance.
Lee
I imagine that most of the techniques that the police use in non-emergency driving are contained in Roadcraft. You might find this useful:
www.drivinghandbook.co.uk/
Much good information is contained within the many threads on this forum. The search function isn't working very well at the moment but just by going through the archives page by page you can find lots of interesting stuff.
Finally, if you've not done it already, doing the IAM test isn't that expensive: £85 for all the tuition you need provided you pass the test first time (£75 if you are under 25). Plus the cost of petrol.
www.drivinghandbook.co.uk/
Much good information is contained within the many threads on this forum. The search function isn't working very well at the moment but just by going through the archives page by page you can find lots of interesting stuff.
Finally, if you've not done it already, doing the IAM test isn't that expensive: £85 for all the tuition you need provided you pass the test first time (£75 if you are under 25). Plus the cost of petrol.
SamHH said:
Finally, if you've not done it already, doing the IAM test isn't that expensive: £85 for all the tuition you need provided you pass the test first time (£75 if you are under 25). Plus the cost of petrol.
Best £85 you can spend. Costs about the same to do the RoADA (ROSPA) test if they happen to have a Group nearer or more convenient for you.
People talk about differences between the IAM and Rospa test - but the course content is identical and the standard of the test very similar. Rospa insist on a retest every three years and grade the results Bronze (should try again), Silver (good), Gold (very good).
Reading Roadcraft is a must. But if you want to put it into practice you will need some help whilst actually behind the wheel. If you have money but are short of time Ride-Drive (or similar) may be the way to go. If you have time but several hundred quid sounds like a lot then IAM/Rospa all done by volunteers to keep it inexpensive could be right for you.
Whatever you choose - good luck.
Oh I should add: IIRC you have points on your licence?
If you have six points the IAM currently let you do the course but won't allow you to do the test to become a full member.
Beats me why - I've thought that people with points are going to come to the IAM wanting to learn how to avoid getting any more by being a good driver and it seems a shame not to let 'em go all the way. But there you go.
Rospa may be stricter or more lenient. Don't know.
If you have six points the IAM currently let you do the course but won't allow you to do the test to become a full member.
Beats me why - I've thought that people with points are going to come to the IAM wanting to learn how to avoid getting any more by being a good driver and it seems a shame not to let 'em go all the way. But there you go.
Rospa may be stricter or more lenient. Don't know.
Don said:
Oh I should add: IIRC you have points on your licence?
If you have six points the IAM currently let you do the course but won't allow you to do the test to become a full member.
Beats me why - I've thought that people with points are going to come to the IAM wanting to learn how to avoid getting any more by being a good driver and it seems a shame not to let 'em go all the way. But there you go.
Rospa may be stricter or more lenient. Don't know.
If you have six points the IAM currently let you do the course but won't allow you to do the test to become a full member.
Beats me why - I've thought that people with points are going to come to the IAM wanting to learn how to avoid getting any more by being a good driver and it seems a shame not to let 'em go all the way. But there you go.
Rospa may be stricter or more lenient. Don't know.
oh really, yes that does seem odd. This is the reason why i am going to try and improve my driving skills. I have a baby on the way and want to improve my safety awareness for my family. I dont think im a bad bad driver although i do have some bad habits, speeding mainly etc (although only in appropriate situations). so my main goal is to learn from a professional and to have better hazard awareness for when im ferrying around my family.
Thanks for the advice, i will research into the test mentioned.
Cheers
Start here...
www.iam.org.uk/
Keep in mind though...they might not allow you to have your own BMW lane
.
BOF.
www.iam.org.uk/
Keep in mind though...they might not allow you to have your own BMW lane
. BOF.
Don said:
Oh I should add: IIRC you have points on your licence?
If you have six points the IAM currently let you do the course but won't allow you to do the test to become a full member.
Beats me why - I've thought that people with points are going to come to the IAM wanting to learn how to avoid getting any more by being a good driver and it seems a shame not to let 'em go all the way. But there you go.
Rospa may be stricter or more lenient. Don't know.
If you have six points the IAM currently let you do the course but won't allow you to do the test to become a full member.
Beats me why - I've thought that people with points are going to come to the IAM wanting to learn how to avoid getting any more by being a good driver and it seems a shame not to let 'em go all the way. But there you go.
Rospa may be stricter or more lenient. Don't know.
I'm very surprised at this. Surely people who have a growing collection of penalty points are exactly the kind of people the IAM should be encouraging to take their test?
Any IAM members on here who could exapnd on this?
Rochester BMW said:
[...]I have a baby on the way and want to improve my safety awareness for my family. I dont think im a bad bad driver although i do have some bad habits, speeding mainly etc (although only in appropriate situations). [...]
I'm not trying to be funny or cause offence or anything here, but I don't see how those two statements are compatible. You accept that your safety awareness needs improvement (and that's the most important step in actually improving it), yet you are happy to be the judge of when speeding (i.e. compromising safety) is appropriate. At least you accept that it's a bad habit and that you need to improve - that immediately makes you a better driver than 90% of the numpties out there.
Having said that, do read Roadcraft, do read the advice threads here and do take an IAM/RoSPA course. Although I'm a member of the IAM and have been observing for my local group for (mumpty-mump) years now, I have to admit that quality of instruction can be variable, due to the observers all being volunteers. If your local group does fixed-length courses, with set meeting times for runs (e.g. we do alternate Sunday mornings), you'll probably get a different observer each time, which can help even out differences. Whereas open courses with a single assigned observer can leave you at the mercy of who you get - you could get an absolutely superb observer or you may get someone that you don't get on with.
Anyway, good on you, go for it. The advantage to going down the instructed route, of course, is feedback. Someone else telling you that you're driving well (especially if it's a copper at the end of the test) is much more of a confidence booster than trying to judge yourself from the words in a book.
Major Bloodnok said:
Rochester BMW said:
[...]I have a baby on the way and want to improve my safety awareness for my family. I dont think im a bad bad driver although i do have some bad habits, speeding mainly etc (although only in appropriate situations). [...]
I'm not trying to be funny or cause offence or anything here, but I don't see how those two statements are compatible. You accept that your safety awareness needs improvement (and that's the most important step in actually improving it), yet you are happy to be the judge of when speeding (i.e. compromising safety) is appropriate. At least you accept that it's a bad habit and that you need to improve - that immediately makes you a better driver than 90% of the numpties out there.
I think those statements are compatible. Safety awareness is a term that covers a pretty wide range of skills. I suppose that most, if not all drivers could improve those skills.
I also suppose that all drivers are happy to judge what speed is appropriate for any given moment of driving. No, we are not all perfect at making those judgements and most of us will sometimes make mistakes but if we weren't happy to make those judgements it would be impossible for us to drive on the road on our own.
thanks for the advice everyone,
in regards to the two conflicting statements about my driving, I feel that 'speeding' can be perfectly safe when used in the correct situation and when used responsibly.
I for one never speed in residential areas, regardless of the time of day, weather conditions or anything as children are around.
On the other hand 'if' i were on a clear open motorway (4 lanes like the M2) in a car covered only 2000 miles in perfect working order, perfect visibility and good surface conditions I would say that doing 100+ wouldn't be dangerous... not too sure how the 'law would see this though.
I guess this is an age old debate, but you dont have to drive dangerously to get caught for speeding...
I do feel that my driving is slightly above avarage (who doesn't) but i do accept that there are people out there (traffic police, IAM members) who are trained professionals and could offer some very good advice.
My main reason for this are like said before a baby on the way and want to make him/her as safe as possible, and also recently just bought a 335i and have a new M3 on order these new skills will be invaluable when at the controls of powerful cars...
in regards to the two conflicting statements about my driving, I feel that 'speeding' can be perfectly safe when used in the correct situation and when used responsibly.
I for one never speed in residential areas, regardless of the time of day, weather conditions or anything as children are around.
On the other hand 'if' i were on a clear open motorway (4 lanes like the M2) in a car covered only 2000 miles in perfect working order, perfect visibility and good surface conditions I would say that doing 100+ wouldn't be dangerous... not too sure how the 'law would see this though.
I guess this is an age old debate, but you dont have to drive dangerously to get caught for speeding...
I do feel that my driving is slightly above avarage (who doesn't) but i do accept that there are people out there (traffic police, IAM members) who are trained professionals and could offer some very good advice.
My main reason for this are like said before a baby on the way and want to make him/her as safe as possible, and also recently just bought a 335i and have a new M3 on order these new skills will be invaluable when at the controls of powerful cars...
Edited by Rochester BMW on Thursday 8th March 12:30
Rochester BMW said:
Is it true that the some lessons are given my volenteers? and cost nothing?
Would i use my own car etc?
how could i get in contact with someone who volenteers?
Many Thanks
Would i use my own car etc?
how could i get in contact with someone who volenteers?
Many Thanks
Sorry, I maybe should have explained in more detail how the IAM works.
You pay £85 for a 'Skills for Life' package. This pays for a years membership to the Institute of Advanced Motorists and to a local IAM group, the IAM manual (which is not the same as Roadcraft but contains much the same info) and the test.
Someone from your local IAM group then goes out as a passenger with you driving your own car and gives you advice on how to pass the test. They may also give you a demonstration drive in their car. These people are called Observers and are volunteer who have passed their advanced driving test. They are not professional driving instructors. You get as many 'observed drives' as you need to reach test standard. There is no fee for these 'observed drives' but of course you have to pay for petrol. The test, also conducted in your own car, lasts approx 90 minutes and is examined by a former or serving police driver.
To get in contact you should go to the IAM website and look up your local group's contact details:
www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/groupdirectory/
As Don said, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents works in a similar way, although I personally don't have any experience of them.
Whilst I believe that most groups work the way SamHH describes, there are many that run a "fixed-length" course (and I also understand that the IAM is trying to make these the norm). A fixed-length course is, obviously, of fixed-length - in the case of Altrincham group, it's 6 observed runs on alternate Sunday mornings. You turn up for the run and you're allocated an observer (usually a different one each time) who will take you out for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Between runs, you're expected to practice (and perfect!) the issues raised by the observer.
thanks for the comments, you mentioned that an 'observer' would sit along side me and give pointers etc to be able to pass the test.
Who decides when i am up to the 'standard' to take the test?
Once ive passed the test, do I automatically become an 'observer' for other people like myself? Only i will find it hard to donate my spare time due to work/family etc.
Once a member of IAM is there a yearly subscription cost?
Would i have to retake the test once every so often to keep the licence?
Is it true that if you get pulled over for speeding and have an IAM membership sticker in your windscreen the police are more likely to turn a blind eye? or is this not true? and they come down harder on you because you should know better?
sorry for all the questions. thanks
Who decides when i am up to the 'standard' to take the test?
Once ive passed the test, do I automatically become an 'observer' for other people like myself? Only i will find it hard to donate my spare time due to work/family etc.
Once a member of IAM is there a yearly subscription cost?
Would i have to retake the test once every so often to keep the licence?
Is it true that if you get pulled over for speeding and have an IAM membership sticker in your windscreen the police are more likely to turn a blind eye? or is this not true? and they come down harder on you because you should know better?
sorry for all the questions. thanks
Hi - In answer to your questions:
The observers will assess whether you are up to test standard - you'll be rated after each drive (on the group's internal system) and (once you are around test standard) you will do a "test assessment" before being put forward for test. The test is with a police class 1 instructor (either active or retired).
You don't become an observer automatically after you pass, you have to do a further course (6-12 months on a monthly basis) to practice your teaching skills. You then do a further test with (in the case of my IAM group, one senior observer from the group, and one from another group to act as an independent assessor). This test is both of your driving (expected to be above test standard and with full commentary) and of your teaching (with one of the observers pretending to be a trainee).
After you pass annual membership of the IAM is (I think) £17.50.
You don't have to retake your test with the IAM at all. With Rospa you do, as mentioned in a post above.
No idea on the speeding thing - I don't have my IAM sticker on my windscreen, but equally, I've not been pulled for speeding yet
The observers will assess whether you are up to test standard - you'll be rated after each drive (on the group's internal system) and (once you are around test standard) you will do a "test assessment" before being put forward for test. The test is with a police class 1 instructor (either active or retired).
You don't become an observer automatically after you pass, you have to do a further course (6-12 months on a monthly basis) to practice your teaching skills. You then do a further test with (in the case of my IAM group, one senior observer from the group, and one from another group to act as an independent assessor). This test is both of your driving (expected to be above test standard and with full commentary) and of your teaching (with one of the observers pretending to be a trainee).
After you pass annual membership of the IAM is (I think) £17.50.
You don't have to retake your test with the IAM at all. With Rospa you do, as mentioned in a post above.
No idea on the speeding thing - I don't have my IAM sticker on my windscreen, but equally, I've not been pulled for speeding yet
Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 8th March 14:03
Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 8th March 14:03
thanks for the reply simple question but whats the difference between IAM and ROSPA?
Are both of these bodies both reconised institutes? Or is one more reconised than the other?
The licence i hold now is from the DVLA... if i pass my advanced test does my DVLA licence change to suit in the same way I had to send my licence off when i passed my bike test to be updated.?
What the DVLA licence says is the important thing surely?
Thanks
Lee
Are both of these bodies both reconised institutes? Or is one more reconised than the other?
The licence i hold now is from the DVLA... if i pass my advanced test does my DVLA licence change to suit in the same way I had to send my licence off when i passed my bike test to be updated.?
What the DVLA licence says is the important thing surely?
Thanks
Lee
Rochester BMW said:
thanks for the reply simple question but whats the difference between IAM and ROSPA?
Are both of these bodies both reconised institutes? Or is one more reconised than the other?
The licence i hold now is from the DVLA... if i pass my advanced test does my DVLA licence change to suit in the same way I had to send my licence off when i passed my bike test to be updated.?
What the DVLA licence says is the important thing surely?
Thanks
Lee
Are both of these bodies both reconised institutes? Or is one more reconised than the other?
The licence i hold now is from the DVLA... if i pass my advanced test does my DVLA licence change to suit in the same way I had to send my licence off when i passed my bike test to be updated.?
What the DVLA licence says is the important thing surely?
Thanks
Lee
With ROSPA you are graded Bronze, Silver, Gold or fail. You have to retake the test every three years or yearly if you get a Bronze grade on your previous test.
With IAM it's just pass or fail and you don't have to re-test.
Some people say one is better than the other, some say they are just the same. I can't comment on that. Anyway I suspect many people's opinion of the organisations has more to do with the observers that are assigned to them than the organisations themselves.
If you pass the IAM or ROSPA test your licence will remain exactly the same. Neither test is officially recognised by the DVLA or the Driving Standards Agency. The qualifications have no legally recognised status.
Edited by SamHH on Thursday 8th March 14:25
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