How to improve my observation

[pcwilson]

I'm looking for some advice on how to improve my observation when driving. Do any IAM observers (for example) have any tips or tricks they "teach" their associates? I am very aware that when I drive, be it pootling around town or cruising on the motorway, I have a terrible habit of staring at the back of the car in front, or if there's no car, just starting down at the road. I have read Road Craft and How To Pass Your Advanced Driving Test (?) so I know the theory of scanning the far/middle/near distance etc..., I just struggle to put it in to practice. Any advice would be much appreciated. The irony is, when I passed my driving test, the examiner commended me for my observations. I think his exact words were "the best observations I've ever seen in a learner driver". What's gone wrong?

[pcwilson]

Hi Fif. Thanks for the simple but great advice. I will try what you suggest. This should force me to concentrate and keep my eyes scanning around.

[pcwilson]

Thanks for all the advice. I spent a lot of time today driving in town and tried out some of the tips. I find the commentary very helpful, really aids the concentration. But I find the constant scanning very very tiring. I actually developed a headache after a while. I'm driving Glasgow to Edinburgh to Perth tomorrow so I'll practice scanning on the motorway.