Time to introduce myself in this forum
Discussion
Just stumbled across this forum a few days back via a post on 205gtidrivers.com and thought I'd introduce myself as I hope to be spending a fair bit of time here.
I'm 19 and definitely wouldn't describe myself as a good driver. I'm currently driving a Fiat Punto Sporting, but have previously owned several other "nippy" cars.
I've had two accidents in the past 22 months since passing my test. Both were foolish and I was very fortunate not to be injured from either. The first was shortly after I passed my test, I was driving a mark 1 Renault Clio 1.8 RT (95 bhp, 165-section tyres!?!). Driving a NSL country road I'd never driven before (but THOUGHT I knew from cycling), I was going to fast for my driving ability. Entered a downhill bend at slightly over the speed limit and began to understeer. Panicked and back off too sharply, bringing the back end round. Opposite locked but hit the brakes, then slid onto the grass verge. Inevitably the decelleration of tearing into the grass threw the car into a roll, and I landed the right way up again.
The police who were called spoke to me and accepted my explanation. I was let off with a caution (suprised as I thought I may have got into more 'trouble').
Second accident I had was last year when in torrentail rain I backed off as I hit standing water on a roundaout in an old 205 gti. Caught the main slide but it snapped back the other way and I slid off the outside of the roundabout.
I won't profess to be a good driver, I take too many risks at times and tend to drive to close to my car's grip limits. I'm trying to improve in this aspect but also want to improve my awareness and general roadcraft and ability to read the road, so will be here quite a lot I expect.
I'm 19 and definitely wouldn't describe myself as a good driver. I'm currently driving a Fiat Punto Sporting, but have previously owned several other "nippy" cars.
I've had two accidents in the past 22 months since passing my test. Both were foolish and I was very fortunate not to be injured from either. The first was shortly after I passed my test, I was driving a mark 1 Renault Clio 1.8 RT (95 bhp, 165-section tyres!?!). Driving a NSL country road I'd never driven before (but THOUGHT I knew from cycling), I was going to fast for my driving ability. Entered a downhill bend at slightly over the speed limit and began to understeer. Panicked and back off too sharply, bringing the back end round. Opposite locked but hit the brakes, then slid onto the grass verge. Inevitably the decelleration of tearing into the grass threw the car into a roll, and I landed the right way up again.
The police who were called spoke to me and accepted my explanation. I was let off with a caution (suprised as I thought I may have got into more 'trouble').
Second accident I had was last year when in torrentail rain I backed off as I hit standing water on a roundaout in an old 205 gti. Caught the main slide but it snapped back the other way and I slid off the outside of the roundabout.
I won't profess to be a good driver, I take too many risks at times and tend to drive to close to my car's grip limits. I'm trying to improve in this aspect but also want to improve my awareness and general roadcraft and ability to read the road, so will be here quite a lot I expect.
Welcome Leon 
I'm taken with your honesty, and even more so that you want to progress to a higher level.
There's tons of threads here about what options you have - so I'd spend a few mins scanning through them.
But that all said - I'm sure a load more folks will be along shortly to give their 'tuppence' worth.
Although then again, maybe not - the weathers too good to be indoors!
But welcome anyway
K
I'm taken with your honesty, and even more so that you want to progress to a higher level.
There's tons of threads here about what options you have - so I'd spend a few mins scanning through them.
But that all said - I'm sure a load more folks will be along shortly to give their 'tuppence' worth.
Although then again, maybe not - the weathers too good to be indoors!
But welcome anyway
K
Indeed... I'm meant to be doing work for my apprenticeship but can't concentrate.
I may as well be straight forward about my driving. I'll admit when I first passed started to drive I though I "knew it all" as I've always been a car enthusiast,
even as a child. It's totally different in the real-world with so many hazards though. I do have some good habits, I use my mirrors, indicate properly and often recognise hazards, but theres lots to improve on.
I was trying out a lot of the techniques the other evening when I went for a drive it certainly made my driving smoother, and I doubt I was a massive amount slower than in the past.
I may as well be straight forward about my driving. I'll admit when I first passed started to drive I though I "knew it all" as I've always been a car enthusiast,
even as a child. It's totally different in the real-world with so many hazards though. I do have some good habits, I use my mirrors, indicate properly and often recognise hazards, but theres lots to improve on.
I was trying out a lot of the techniques the other evening when I went for a drive it certainly made my driving smoother, and I doubt I was a massive amount slower than in the past.
Edited by leon_t on Friday 6th April 14:52
Welcome from me too Pal,
I bet you have brought back memories to others who made the same errors in youth!
In your favour, you know you need to get further education...you have noted that you get there just as fast driving safely.
I would suggest you start with doing the IAM course...
www.iam.org.uk/
Then maybe think of RoSPA... www.roada.org.uk/
After which you might want to do some private training with one of the guys mentioned on this Forum...expensive...but so is loss of No Claims Bonus!
BOF.
I bet you have brought back memories to others who made the same errors in youth!
In your favour, you know you need to get further education...you have noted that you get there just as fast driving safely.
I would suggest you start with doing the IAM course...
www.iam.org.uk/
Then maybe think of RoSPA... www.roada.org.uk/
After which you might want to do some private training with one of the guys mentioned on this Forum...expensive...but so is loss of No Claims Bonus!
BOF.
If you do go down the IAM route - it will cost you a total of £75 (as you are under 25).
To be honest - it'll be the best £75 you ever spend. It might seem a lot - but you can be rest assured it'll help with your insurance.
What I would suggest is to find out where your nearest IAM group is, and then sign up for their next 'open day' - where they take you out for a drive and show you how it's done and then you go out in your car and they highlight things to you. It's pretty eye-opening. And it's FREE.
Alternatively there may be an IAM observer PH'er close to you who might take you out for an hour and explain the basics.
But go for the IAM for starters - it's a total cost of £75 - no matter how long it takes and how many sessions you need.
K
To be honest - it'll be the best £75 you ever spend. It might seem a lot - but you can be rest assured it'll help with your insurance.
What I would suggest is to find out where your nearest IAM group is, and then sign up for their next 'open day' - where they take you out for a drive and show you how it's done and then you go out in your car and they highlight things to you. It's pretty eye-opening. And it's FREE.
Alternatively there may be an IAM observer PH'er close to you who might take you out for an hour and explain the basics.
But go for the IAM for starters - it's a total cost of £75 - no matter how long it takes and how many sessions you need.
K
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