my first observed run
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to PistonHeads and I've also just started doing observed runs with the IAM - my first one was yesterday. I decided to do the IAM because although I love cars I am not very confident when driving and I thought this might help build up my confidence more.
For my first run yesterday, we first of all did an assessment drive - I was very nervous and I knew I was making tons of mistakes during it. My observer then fed back to me all the areas for improvement and the main ones were:
lane position, speed (I kept going over 30 in 30 zones), mirrors (he said I only checked once which is strange cos I felt like I was constantly checking them), resting my left hand on the gear stick rather than the steering wheel (I drive like that pretty much permanently and it's so hard to stop doing it), being in the wrong gear (I am too quick to move up the gears and I always slow the car down by moving down the gears).
Then for the rest of the lesson we focused on observation with him doing a commentary the whole time and asking me questions.
All in all I was driving for about 2 hours and although it was exhausting with so much to take in, I loved every minute of it! Since I've always wanted to improve my driving it was a relief to have someone explain to me what I was doing wrong and how I could improve. By the end of the drive he said that he could see improvements already and it was so satisfying when I did something correctly and he commented on it!
I also can't believe how enthusiastic and committed to helping me my observer was - he really picked up on my lack of confidence and kept pointing out that my confidence should be growing as I handled hazards correctly etc. But at the same time he was straight with me and told me when I did things wrongly and that's exactly what I wanted.
Anyway, I now can't wait for my next drive at the weekend - it was genuinely good fun and feeling like I had already made a difference to my driving was great!
If anyone is considering doing this I would really recommend it.
J
I'm new to PistonHeads and I've also just started doing observed runs with the IAM - my first one was yesterday. I decided to do the IAM because although I love cars I am not very confident when driving and I thought this might help build up my confidence more.
For my first run yesterday, we first of all did an assessment drive - I was very nervous and I knew I was making tons of mistakes during it. My observer then fed back to me all the areas for improvement and the main ones were:
lane position, speed (I kept going over 30 in 30 zones), mirrors (he said I only checked once which is strange cos I felt like I was constantly checking them), resting my left hand on the gear stick rather than the steering wheel (I drive like that pretty much permanently and it's so hard to stop doing it), being in the wrong gear (I am too quick to move up the gears and I always slow the car down by moving down the gears).
Then for the rest of the lesson we focused on observation with him doing a commentary the whole time and asking me questions.
All in all I was driving for about 2 hours and although it was exhausting with so much to take in, I loved every minute of it! Since I've always wanted to improve my driving it was a relief to have someone explain to me what I was doing wrong and how I could improve. By the end of the drive he said that he could see improvements already and it was so satisfying when I did something correctly and he commented on it!
I also can't believe how enthusiastic and committed to helping me my observer was - he really picked up on my lack of confidence and kept pointing out that my confidence should be growing as I handled hazards correctly etc. But at the same time he was straight with me and told me when I did things wrongly and that's exactly what I wanted.
Anyway, I now can't wait for my next drive at the weekend - it was genuinely good fun and feeling like I had already made a difference to my driving was great!
If anyone is considering doing this I would really recommend it.
J
Edited by jules_m on Monday 9th October 21:12
Don said:
Delighted you got such a positive experience! Excellent! Top marks to both you and your Observer...
Exactly as the man says. Nice one J.
I have to say - when I did my first observed session, I felt so depressed afterwards as I felt I'd done everything wrong and that I was an awful driver.
But lots of practice, lots of reading, asking lots of questions (on here) and of course a truly wonderful drive with the same said man above (thank you yet again Don), I got through and I enjoyed it more and more!
Here's to the next installment
K
jvaughan said:
Reciently had my first rid eout with a Police Biker. Seriously thinking about doing the IAM bike and car stuff next year
The Thames Valley IAM Bike Group has an excellent reputation. Apparently they also have a truly thriving social side of things with drive outs and so on as well - which you do not get with car groups, largely.
As I always say to my Associates, you are here because you WANT to be so you should be enjoying it.
Also, I assume that you do not crash every time you go out so you are not making loads of mistakes all the time (at least not serious ones anyway).
Remember it is not normal driving is wrong, Advanced driving is right, it is normal driving is good, Advance driving is better.
Also, I assume that you do not crash every time you go out so you are not making loads of mistakes all the time (at least not serious ones anyway).
Remember it is not normal driving is wrong, Advanced driving is right, it is normal driving is good, Advance driving is better.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff