IAM - member and observer, my experience
Discussion
I always considered myself a good driver, but self reflection (very big thing in our profession at the moment) I asked just exactly what am I basing this on? So I decided it was time to put my ego to the test and try and pass the IAM exam.
Now several people have asked/commented on the imagine of the groups, young people tec. I think this is down as always to individuals not the groups or the IAM in particular. So there I am, 26 years old, turn up with my Fiat Coupe 20V turbo, tuned to 250 bhp with 3 1/2in stainless steel exhaust and race cat. Observers comments - nice car. Examiners comments - nice car, hope we won't be hanging around on the test route today! Examiners comments having passed test - you could do with making more progress on the A roads, got to admit my thought on the test where braking hard into each corner was not smooth driving so I tried to avoid.
Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed the lessons, my observer really pushed my driving ability, each time finding a harder and harder route. Learnt alot from that alone.
Subsequently decided to do observer test, again out rolls the Fiat and senior observer makes no comment what so ever, passed that and got on with observing. Always found the group (Sheffield) very helpful espically the senior examiner who is never more than a phone call away to answer any technical queries.
Going out on the observed run with the associates always raises a few eye brows, the Fiat was fun and one bloke nearly fainted when I rolled my M3 out the garage, he had assumed the old green rover on the drive was mine and admited he joked about it to his mates. Almost all the associates have commented that they fine the emphasis on progress surprising. Although I teach the system I like to break situations down to 3 basic rules for my associates. First everything has to be safe, second everything has to be smooth and thridly you should make progess and you can only do this by good forward planning and you can only do that by good observation.
Anyway hope this little ramble is helpful and to anyone having doubts I said go for it.
Now several people have asked/commented on the imagine of the groups, young people tec. I think this is down as always to individuals not the groups or the IAM in particular. So there I am, 26 years old, turn up with my Fiat Coupe 20V turbo, tuned to 250 bhp with 3 1/2in stainless steel exhaust and race cat. Observers comments - nice car. Examiners comments - nice car, hope we won't be hanging around on the test route today! Examiners comments having passed test - you could do with making more progress on the A roads, got to admit my thought on the test where braking hard into each corner was not smooth driving so I tried to avoid.
Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed the lessons, my observer really pushed my driving ability, each time finding a harder and harder route. Learnt alot from that alone.
Subsequently decided to do observer test, again out rolls the Fiat and senior observer makes no comment what so ever, passed that and got on with observing. Always found the group (Sheffield) very helpful espically the senior examiner who is never more than a phone call away to answer any technical queries.
Going out on the observed run with the associates always raises a few eye brows, the Fiat was fun and one bloke nearly fainted when I rolled my M3 out the garage, he had assumed the old green rover on the drive was mine and admited he joked about it to his mates. Almost all the associates have commented that they fine the emphasis on progress surprising. Although I teach the system I like to break situations down to 3 basic rules for my associates. First everything has to be safe, second everything has to be smooth and thridly you should make progess and you can only do this by good forward planning and you can only do that by good observation.
Anyway hope this little ramble is helpful and to anyone having doubts I said go for it.
Interesting experience... Sounds like you have a core of petrolheads at the heart of that IAM group.
Out of interest, what other driver training have you had in order to become an observer? Is it simply an assessed run to a higher standard, or have you undergone other courses etc outside of IAM? I take it they re-assess you to ensure your standard remains high?
Oh, and in your 3 simple rules break down, you forgot "System" which should come second in the order of importance1
I emailed the Oxford IAM a week ago but have as yet had no response. Sort it out people!
<edited to make VH look like a lying Bar-Steward>
Out of interest, what other driver training have you had in order to become an observer? Is it simply an assessed run to a higher standard, or have you undergone other courses etc outside of IAM? I take it they re-assess you to ensure your standard remains high?
Oh, and in your 3 simple rules break down, you forgot "System" which should come second in the order of importance1
I emailed the Oxford IAM a week ago but have as yet had no response. Sort it out people!
<edited to make VH look like a lying Bar-Steward>
Edited by WeirdNeville on Sunday 29th April 01:55
R_U_LOCAL said:
vonhosen said:
R_U_LOCAL said:
vonhosen said:
4th = Speed (or rather progress)
Don't be daft - we all know that speed kills.
So does tiredness apparently.
Absolutely.
What we need is for someone to invent a tiredness camera.
Apparently technology is being developed to recognise it (in car rather than camera enforcement).
www.siemensvdo.com/press/releases/drivers-assistance/2003/SV_200303_003_e.htm
R_U_LOCAL said:
Absolutely.
What we need is for someone to invent a tiredness camera.
My father-in-law just bought a new car (Citroen C4 Picasso) and one of the options was a 'lane departure warning system' (as von notes in his link), which is pretty close to that. Also I'm quite sure I've heard of systems that monitor drivers for tiredness anyway. IIRC, they monitor the drivers face for certain things. Indeed there are patents for such things (www.freepatentsonline.com/7183932.html).
Oddly enough I haven't been retested as an observer, perhaps I should be? However since the associates are sent for a second opinion and tested I would assume that a high failure rate would be fed back to an observer?
The observer test involved three runs. First was senior observer giving a demo drive. Next senior observer playing associate. I had to pick up and comment on all his wrong doings and provide observation on how to improve his driving style. Finally I had to provide a demo drive with full commentary and no mistakes. That was hard.
There seems to be some confusion about my break down of the system. The 3 things I ask them to remember are based on the system but I feel that they are easier to remember than position, speed, gear and acceration whilst encompasing information, but I'm willing to learnt and take feedback from all.
The observer test involved three runs. First was senior observer giving a demo drive. Next senior observer playing associate. I had to pick up and comment on all his wrong doings and provide observation on how to improve his driving style. Finally I had to provide a demo drive with full commentary and no mistakes. That was hard.
There seems to be some confusion about my break down of the system. The 3 things I ask them to remember are based on the system but I feel that they are easier to remember than position, speed, gear and acceration whilst encompasing information, but I'm willing to learnt and take feedback from all.
How we would fight over an associate like you - something different to the mundane Fiesta or Peugeot.
Anyway within the group we have at one time or another had Observers in Lotue Elise, Honda NSX200, Honda Prelude, TVR, Boxter, and a Toyota Celica (female Observer over 70), to list a few, then there are the crossover biker boys who tend to buy a two wheeled rocket in preference.
Yes we do have a few flat caps as well but in no way the majority.
Anyway within the group we have at one time or another had Observers in Lotue Elise, Honda NSX200, Honda Prelude, TVR, Boxter, and a Toyota Celica (female Observer over 70), to list a few, then there are the crossover biker boys who tend to buy a two wheeled rocket in preference.
Yes we do have a few flat caps as well but in no way the majority.
vonhosen said:
R_U_LOCAL said:
vonhosen said:
R_U_LOCAL said:
vonhosen said:
4th = Speed (or rather progress)
Don't be daft - we all know that speed kills.
So does tiredness apparently.
Absolutely.
What we need is for someone to invent a tiredness camera.
Apparently technology is being developed to recognise it (in car rather than camera enforcement).
www.siemensvdo.com/press/releases/drivers-assistance/2003/SV_200303_003_e.htm
Now, that would be such a good thing, especially if it stopped those who were tired from driving.
So, that would be about half the population much of the time.
Those with long commutes, my wife trying to deal with the nonsensenical requirements of her Government related job and perhaps, Police Officers working overtime.
Watch the "Economy" collapse.
over_the_hill said:
vonhosen said:
R_U_LOCAL said:
vonhosen said:
4th = Speed (or rather progress)
Don't be daft - we all know that speed kills.
So does tiredness apparently.
No I think you will find it's crashing into stufff actualy
Yes, yes - but only at speed when you're sleepy.....I think....
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff