Observation and Parking
Discussion
I wonder if anyone could help me with the following questions about the IAM method of driving.
As some may know I am currently undertaking the IAM course, and it is all going well (or so it appears to me anyway).
1) can anyone help with tips and advice on observation and scanning. I have asked my Observer if there is any recommended way of doing it, or learning it, or developing it. He said no, you just have to be observant. I thought this was rather strange, as there surely must be recommended hints and tips, otherwise it just becomes "look around as much as possible". I have occasionally been taking by surprise from the side (that sounds rather suggestive actually) so I know I am not doing it as well as I should. But I would appreciate some specific help if possible.
2) I am not the world's best at parking, or reversing around a corner. I realise that there are now numerous Gentlement laughing at this, but remember, we all have different things we are good at. My question is, just how big a part of the test does this form. Is it always tested. Is there some leeway, or is it fail if you don't do it well.
As usual, your comments, advice and encouragement would be most appreciated.
Best Regards
Sally
As some may know I am currently undertaking the IAM course, and it is all going well (or so it appears to me anyway).
1) can anyone help with tips and advice on observation and scanning. I have asked my Observer if there is any recommended way of doing it, or learning it, or developing it. He said no, you just have to be observant. I thought this was rather strange, as there surely must be recommended hints and tips, otherwise it just becomes "look around as much as possible". I have occasionally been taking by surprise from the side (that sounds rather suggestive actually) so I know I am not doing it as well as I should. But I would appreciate some specific help if possible.
2) I am not the world's best at parking, or reversing around a corner. I realise that there are now numerous Gentlement laughing at this, but remember, we all have different things we are good at. My question is, just how big a part of the test does this form. Is it always tested. Is there some leeway, or is it fail if you don't do it well.
As usual, your comments, advice and encouragement would be most appreciated.
Best Regards
Sally
Treat your observations as if it was a big fishing net. Throw your observations out forwards as far as you can see, then observe things as your eyes move back closer to the car, then check the mirrors then throw observations way forward again.
So your commentary might be "Looking into the distance I can see that the road is straiight and uphill, and my view terminates in a left hand bend about half a mile away. There are two cars coming towards me and two in front of me. I am maintaining a safe distance from them. I see a junction just before that bend with one car waiting to emerge. I see a pedestrian on the footway in the far distance and two more closer to me. I am watching in case any of them might step out and force the two cars in front of me to brake or swerve. Closer to me I see a warning sign for that bend ahead which tells me that it may be severe. Checking my mirrors, there is one vehicle behind me.
(then ahead again) I see that vehicle emerging from the junction and turning towards me, there is no apparent danger there. Assessing the bend I can see that it is gradual and I may not have to slow down. Checking the pedestrians on the footway as I approach them, easing past and then checking my mirrors, still the one car behind.
Taking up my position for the left hand bend, mindful to check that there is nothing emerging from the junction . My speed and gear ar correct, checking the mirror again and applying the correct degree of acceleration to take me round this bend. As the bend opens up I can see that I am approaching a township way up ahead. I see cyclists on the nearside in the middle distance and a sign in the foreground warning me of a blind junction on my right, which I can now see.
etc etc
This is not intended to be a brilliant commentary, just an illustration of how you look way ahead, then move closer, check behind.
You would, of course, break this routine to concentrate on any particular hazard - say for example that the pedestrians above were children, you would ge=ive them more priority in your observations...
hope this helps
So your commentary might be "Looking into the distance I can see that the road is straiight and uphill, and my view terminates in a left hand bend about half a mile away. There are two cars coming towards me and two in front of me. I am maintaining a safe distance from them. I see a junction just before that bend with one car waiting to emerge. I see a pedestrian on the footway in the far distance and two more closer to me. I am watching in case any of them might step out and force the two cars in front of me to brake or swerve. Closer to me I see a warning sign for that bend ahead which tells me that it may be severe. Checking my mirrors, there is one vehicle behind me.
(then ahead again) I see that vehicle emerging from the junction and turning towards me, there is no apparent danger there. Assessing the bend I can see that it is gradual and I may not have to slow down. Checking the pedestrians on the footway as I approach them, easing past and then checking my mirrors, still the one car behind.
Taking up my position for the left hand bend, mindful to check that there is nothing emerging from the junction . My speed and gear ar correct, checking the mirror again and applying the correct degree of acceleration to take me round this bend. As the bend opens up I can see that I am approaching a township way up ahead. I see cyclists on the nearside in the middle distance and a sign in the foreground warning me of a blind junction on my right, which I can now see.
etc etc
This is not intended to be a brilliant commentary, just an illustration of how you look way ahead, then move closer, check behind.
You would, of course, break this routine to concentrate on any particular hazard - say for example that the pedestrians above were children, you would ge=ive them more priority in your observations...
hope this helps
The best "structure" I heard for getting your observation moving around is the breaststroke. Like your arms in breaststroke - you go out, back, down the sides, round to the back and then inside the car and out to the end again.
I don't actually use this, hwever - mostly I just spend time at the optical centre and hazards emerging from it, and make an effort to check around and behind as and when.
I don't actually use this, hwever - mostly I just spend time at the optical centre and hazards emerging from it, and make an effort to check around and behind as and when.
I have posted on "scanning" a number of times.
Start with something like this...
Bonnet to horizon. Mirror.
Horizon to bonnet.
Bonnet to left. Mirror. Left to bonnet.
Bonnet to right. Mirror. Right to bonnet.
In reality scanning is a LOT less formal than that. The key thing is to bounce your vision around.
Another useful adage is a biker one: Don't stare at the danger, look at your escape route!
So when a dangerous hazard appears don't stare at it - keep bouncing your vision around whilst you deal with it. Its important not to run into the kid stepping out because you were staring at the oncoming HGV.
"Roadcraft" has an excellent chapter on this. Buy it. Read it.
Start with something like this...
Bonnet to horizon. Mirror.
Horizon to bonnet.
Bonnet to left. Mirror. Left to bonnet.
Bonnet to right. Mirror. Right to bonnet.
In reality scanning is a LOT less formal than that. The key thing is to bounce your vision around.
Another useful adage is a biker one: Don't stare at the danger, look at your escape route!
So when a dangerous hazard appears don't stare at it - keep bouncing your vision around whilst you deal with it. Its important not to run into the kid stepping out because you were staring at the oncoming HGV.
"Roadcraft" has an excellent chapter on this. Buy it. Read it.
tvrgit said:
So your commentary might be "Looking into the distance I can see that the road is straiight and uphill, and my view terminates in a left hand bend about half a mile away. There are two cars coming towards me and two in front of me. I am maintaining a safe distance from them. I see a junction just before that bend with one car waiting to emerge. I see a pedestrian on the footway in the far distance and two more closer to me. I am watching in case any of them might step out and force the two cars in front of me to brake or swerve. Closer to me I see a warning sign for that bend ahead which tells me that it may be severe. Checking my mirrors, there is one vehicle behind me.
(then ahead again) I see that vehicle emerging from the junction and turning towards me, there is no apparent danger there. Assessing the bend I can see that it is gradual and I may not have to slow down. Checking the pedestrians on the footway as I approach them, easing past and then checking my mirrors, still the one car behind.
Taking up my position for the left hand bend, mindful to check that there is nothing emerging from the junction . My speed and gear ar correct, checking the mirror again and applying the correct degree of acceleration to take me round this bend. As the bend opens up I can see that I am approaching a township way up ahead. I see cyclists on the nearside in the middle distance and a sign in the foreground warning me of a blind junction on my right, which I can now see.
Interesting... commentary is something I've been thinking about in the past week or so, and is a great tool when working on observation, interpretation and prioritisation. But do you really advocate such a detailed commentary? I could never envisage giving a commentary as comprehensive or coherent as you set out - unless I slowed to a pedestrian's pace!!
willibetz said:
I could never envisage giving a commentary as comprehensive or coherent as you set out - unless I slowed to a pedestrian's pace!!
You don't slow the drive to fit the commentary, you prioritise in the commentary to fit the drive. Break what you speak about into MUST talk abouts, SHOULD talk abouts & COULD talk abouts. Don't be talking about a SHOULD if there is a MUST.
It should compliment & enhance the drive, not adversely affect it. You should be talking systematically & well ahead of your position on the road. It is quite possible to talk in great detail about your OAP & implementation of the system, it not being a distraction. It focuses you on the task in hand & eventually you will be talking yourself into early action as a result of it.
>> Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 26th March 13:14
I suppose I was setting out a thought process to illustrate "observations" rather than what you might have time to say - it depends how fast you're going (Oh no don't let's start that again!).
Commentary is a bit of an art in itself and takes as much practice as the driving does, and there are ALWAYS two reactions to hearing a full commentary for the first time:
1. Oh no I'll never do that, that's put me right off; or
2. Oh I want to learn how to do THAT!
Don't be put off - as VonH says, you have to prioritise with the things that are important to your driving plan - as you get used to it you learn to fit more in.
AND don't necessarily say what I said - it's been 10 years since I taught anybody so I haven't done commentary since!
Commentary is a bit of an art in itself and takes as much practice as the driving does, and there are ALWAYS two reactions to hearing a full commentary for the first time:
1. Oh no I'll never do that, that's put me right off; or
2. Oh I want to learn how to do THAT!
Don't be put off - as VonH says, you have to prioritise with the things that are important to your driving plan - as you get used to it you learn to fit more in.
AND don't necessarily say what I said - it's been 10 years since I taught anybody so I haven't done commentary since!
Sally -
To answer the second part of your question - You will be asked to perform a turn in the road and reverse around a corner during your test. The test itself is not "scored", the examiner will be judging you on the overall quality of your drive: Is it smooth, progressive, safe etc. (commentary is also optional).
If you feel that you are struggling with reversing around a corner ask your observers if they will help you practice after a session - they will be more than happy to do so.
Regards,
John
>> Edited by goliath on Monday 27th March 10:20
To answer the second part of your question - You will be asked to perform a turn in the road and reverse around a corner during your test. The test itself is not "scored", the examiner will be judging you on the overall quality of your drive: Is it smooth, progressive, safe etc. (commentary is also optional).
If you feel that you are struggling with reversing around a corner ask your observers if they will help you practice after a session - they will be more than happy to do so.
Regards,
John
>> Edited by goliath on Monday 27th March 10:20
vonhosen said:
I could never envisage giving a commentary as comprehensive or coherent as you set out - unless I slowed to a pedestrian's pace!!
You don't slow the drive to fit the commentary, you prioritise in the commentary to fit the drive. Break what you speak about into MUST talk abouts, SHOULD talk abouts & COULD talk abouts. Don't be talking about a SHOULD if there is a MUST.
It should compliment & enhance the drive, not adversely affect it. You should be talking systematically & well ahead of your position on the road. It is quite possible to talk in great detail about your OAP & implementation of the system, it not being a distraction. It focuses you on the task in hand & eventually you will be talking yourself into early action as a result of it.
Quite agree. In fact, you eloquently summarise the reasons why I think the example commentary is unachievable in real world conditions. If commentary isn't going to stilt the drive, then I would advocate pithy comments along the lines of "mirror check - clear" or "accompanied child on nearside pavement, hasn't looked my way - easing and giving space". Any more than eloquent than that, and it takes (me) too much of a conscious effort to form the sentences. What do you think?
goliath said:
Sally -
To answer the second part of your question - You will be asked to perform a turn in the road and reverse around a corner during your test. The test itself is not "scored", the examiner will be judging you on the overall quality of your drive: Is it smooth, progressive, safe etc. (commentary is also optional).
If you feel that you are struggling with reversing around a corner ask your observers if they will help you practice after a session - they will be more than happy to do so.
Regards,
John
Many thanks to everyone for the help with the observation and commentary. It is all most helpful I can assure you.
John - when you say a turn in the road, what do you mean exactly. I've n worries with 'turn the car around using forward and reverse gears' (!!!), but is this what you mean. Or is there something else I need to worry about (if I'm not worried enough already).
>> Edited by goliath on Monday 27th March 10:20
willibetz said:
I could never envisage giving a commentary as comprehensive or coherent as you set out - unless I slowed to a pedestrian's pace!!
You don't slow the drive to fit the commentary, you prioritise in the commentary to fit the drive. Break what you speak about into MUST talk abouts, SHOULD talk abouts & COULD talk abouts. Don't be talking about a SHOULD if there is a MUST.
It should compliment & enhance the drive, not adversely affect it. You should be talking systematically & well ahead of your position on the road. It is quite possible to talk in great detail about your OAP & implementation of the system, it not being a distraction. It focuses you on the task in hand & eventually you will be talking yourself into early action as a result of it.
Quite agree. In fact, you eloquently summarise the reasons why I think the example commentary is unachievable in real world conditions. If commentary isn't going to stilt the drive, then I would advocate pithy comments along the lines of "mirror check - clear" or "accompanied child on nearside pavement, hasn't looked my way - easing and giving space". Any more than eloquent than that, and it takes (me) too much of a conscious effort to form the sentences. What do you think?
You've got to cherry pick.
You should be talking continually, as there is always something to talk about. The faster you travel, the more selective you have to be & punchier in delivery (as few words as possible to accurately "sell" your observation, anticipation, planning & the 4 S's) Of course you have to talk further & further ahead as speed increases.
The analogy I use is that the commentary is like the human body. The mirror use is the skeleton & holds it all together, the muscle is the system & the OAP is the skin on top.
Build it in that way, no mirror selling or insufficient mirror selling & it becomes a mess.
When you first start out concentrate on just selling your mirror work (on seeing hazards, before speed changes & before position changes). It is the foundation of everything so get it right before moving on.
Next add the system in (Mirror, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) such as, Bend right, mirror position nearside, limit point is already matched & running, gear for speed is good, pulling down with the right hand maintaining constant speed with a little throttle to hold a strong line. Then start system for next hazard.
Lastly develop OAP into the commentary. You should find yourself using the words, anticipating, expecting, looking for, they could as much as possible. With road signs for instance it should be, what the sign is, mirror & what you expect, such as humback bridge, mirror, expecting one towards in the middle of the road.
>> Edited by vonhosen on Monday 27th March 17:20
goliath said:
'turn the car around using forward and reverse gears' - This is what is required, I'm just a lazy typist ;-)
In my experience it does vary from region to region. In Derby, we used to have to prepare people to do the full L-Test 'turn in the road using fwd & reverse gears' and constant-distance-from-the-kerb-reverse-around-the-corner. However, in the Notts region the examiner is much more looking for a safe turnaround, using whatever side roads / turning circles etc are to hand. They even get impatient when the candidate does the 'handbrake on each stop' 3-point turn.
Talking to our senior examiner on my Senior Obs retest, the latter is perceived as the more 'modern, progressive' way, rather than teaching manoeuvres by numbers.
Your observer will be the best guide as to what the examiners in your area are looking for.
Either way, they are looking for you to maintain control of your car and have a good all round observation during the manoeuvre.
As to the dreaded reverse park, my old Chiefy has a step-by-step guide on his site that uses reference points around the car - we tried it in several different cars and it actually works!: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/g7muy/park
Hope this helps.
For parallel parking try this ...
Stop along side car, front bumpers about equal, couple of feet away.
Reverse back until back of parked car is about 1/4 - 1/2 way along you back left window.
Apply one (and only one) left turn of wheel, hold until bonnet is point at say 45 degress from kerb.
(Oh, don't forget to check all around whilst doint this).
Once car is at 45 degress, full right lock to bring into space and straight up at the end.
You'll have to adjust this a little for your own car, but this seems to work as a generic guide to start with.
Martin
Stop along side car, front bumpers about equal, couple of feet away.
Reverse back until back of parked car is about 1/4 - 1/2 way along you back left window.
Apply one (and only one) left turn of wheel, hold until bonnet is point at say 45 degress from kerb.
(Oh, don't forget to check all around whilst doint this).
Once car is at 45 degress, full right lock to bring into space and straight up at the end.
You'll have to adjust this a little for your own car, but this seems to work as a generic guide to start with.
Martin
Nick_Chim said:
They even get impatient when the candidate does the 'handbrake on each stop' 3-point turn.
Oops. Are you really supposed to apply the handbrake each time you stop during the manouvre? I had better start practicing (unless you are saying don't do it).
Also, many many thanks to everyone for the helpful tips above. Unfortunately, they all refer to things like the left rear winddow, passenger support arm, etc, and I drive an MGF!
Regards
Sally
Lady Godiva said:
Oops. Are you really supposed to apply the handbrake each time you stop during the manouvre? I had better start practicing (unless you are saying don't do it).
Regards
Sally
The answer is *maybe*. If you are on a perfectly flat surface and the car will not roll at all as you move from brake to gas then I wouldn't be pedantic and insist on it.
But you rarely find such a road. Mostly they have cambers on them or are even on a slope - in this case you want to apply the handbrake to ensure the car does not roll so much as a millimetre against your desired direction of travel.
So usually - yes you are supposed to!
[quote=Lady Godiva
Also, many many thanks to everyone for the helpful tips above. Unfortunately, they all refer to things like the left rear winddow, passenger support arm, etc, and I drive an MGF!
Regards
Sally[/quote]
Another way I have seen it desecribed (assuming you can see the "turn-in" point in the MGF) is to keep the lock on until you see the rear kerbside "corner" appear in your rh door mirror (assuming there is a car behind). Then straighten and then pull the front in when clear of the car in front. Seems to work ok in a normal size space.
Graham
Also, many many thanks to everyone for the helpful tips above. Unfortunately, they all refer to things like the left rear winddow, passenger support arm, etc, and I drive an MGF!
Regards
Sally[/quote]
Another way I have seen it desecribed (assuming you can see the "turn-in" point in the MGF) is to keep the lock on until you see the rear kerbside "corner" appear in your rh door mirror (assuming there is a car behind). Then straighten and then pull the front in when clear of the car in front. Seems to work ok in a normal size space.
Graham
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