Crosstalk

Provided we remember that the IAM tuition and testing is about teaching you to become a better, safer driver, less likely to get yourself and others into bother, then it can only be a positive thing.

What it doesn't do is teach driving at high speeds, pushing your car to the limits, chasing criminals or being Colin McRae. There are other ways to do all that.

cw42

iTrader: (1)

You should go for it again ally, see how many bad habits you've picked up over the years

cw42

iTrader: (1)

eh? Who said anything about that lot? I think the Police driver training may do that, or you could go and get that taught privately on a race circuit

Vegescoob

I seem to remember that some 13/14 years ago there was a Head of a Police driving school, Kent is my mind but that may be wrong, who advocated that techniques such as heel and toeing should be incorporated into training. Iirc, he was ridiculed.

AllyJ

CW I think that would scare me m8 I do still use the IAM braking technique, it's a habit since then, I invariably come to a near stop in like 3-4th gear and change straight into 1st/2nd depending if its stop junction or roundabout, hardly ever use the engine to brake the car at all. Remember new set of brake pads is a lot cheaper than a new clutch I do remember a comment the examiner made about my driving at the time and that was for a young driver I had excellent accelerator judgment round bends i.e I wasnt stomping on the brake while cornering etc and judged speeds well.

I have to say driving the scoob has tempted me like most to drive like a lunatic at times on NSL country roads at times, but generally I found the IAM excellent, I would say that anyone at 17 that passes their test should take this at least a year later it will improve your driving no ends. As for taking it again now lol i wouldnt want to shatter my confidence

cw42

iTrader: (1)

No engine braking feels weird at first, but I am getting used to it now, and like you say, cheaper than a clutch in the long term

Wish this course was compulsory after the test, not just an option, maybe improve driving in this country!

AllyJ

amen to that m8

olliecampbell

iTrader: (3)

Definitely.

Now that work has calmed down im going to start my lessons (i paid for everything about 1 1/2yrs ago and never used it!).

What does everyone recommned for preparation? Im going to read the book a coupla times anything else...?

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Start practising the "method" and stop using your engine to slow down

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Wish me luck, got my assessment tomorrow

WarrenSTI

All the best mate
Hope all goes well

Warren

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

I had a go at this some years ago. I used to drive a 2.0 litre Vauxhall Carlton (family man you see). Took him up the road in mine so he could get the gist of my driving abilities, then he took me out in his Alfa Spider Talk about quick, but then anything was quicker than my old bus. The bit that really got me was when we were driving round the back lanes and the tight corners, the bugger was in the middle of the road **** me up a bit. He said, "I pay my road tax so the whole road is mine when there is nobody else wanting it."
I didn't finnish it as tbh there wern't much need for it then But did have a bit of fun and saw the law from an ex-coppers eye

Martin-STI

Good luck mate tomorrow.

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys, early night tonight

Dave Bullock

Done IAM car & bike both very enjoyable.

Want to do my Rospa next but find time hard to find!

DEFFO helps with your observation.

Only tonight I spotted the two flourescent jackets 1/4 mile away in a layby before pulling up to a red light. A couple of young gentlemen in a Saxo pulled alongside me but I wasn't going to take the bait! When the lights changed to green the driver proceeded to give it his all. They must have been doing 60 (easy) in a 30 when I saw the plod wander into the road and invite them to pull over.

Found it VERY hard to stifle a quick wave as I went past!

The layby is in clear view both 50 yards before the lights and 50 yards after but this loon just kept on accelerating!!!

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Passed!

What's Rospa Dave Bullock?

Bug Eyed Peas

Congratulations and well done

Anthony

WarrenSTI

Nice One
Well Done

Vegescoob

Well done.
Ahem, to be pedantic, you have reached the required standard, not passed.



Royal Society For The Prevention of Accidents, which also has a driving standards scheme. Their driving assessment has levels of achievement.

cw42

iTrader: (1)

well spotted pedant I have indeed not "passed" just "reached"
an email for further details have been dispatched to rospa

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

well done CW

its 20 years sinc I passed mine in the Xr3i it camed me down as i was a young daft lad then in a powerful car


i then took the ROSPA ad was only the 3rd person in carlisle at the time to get the gold at the first atempt

Give the observing a go and help to train others and it keeps up your standards

personally i think all young lads/boy racers should be made to sit the test if they want a powerful car and would deafenly cut down on acidents

but if you get caught speeding DONT use im a IAM driver as an excuse policeman /judge will NOT like it

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the info john, I'll bear that in mind if I'm ever in belgium again!

andythejock01wrx

Congrats CW !

What's the significance of avoiding engine braking ? Is it re control or wear & tear on the vehicle ? (must admit I do it !).

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Sweet
Now does your insurance company recognise the fact that you have passed and give you a discount?

Andy S.

Nice one. but how on earth did you stick to all the speeed limits!!!!

graeme.

Well done, mate. Congratulations.

Give us a few details, i.e.- feedback from your examiner. Did you have any problems, did you give / were you asked to give a commentry drive ?? etc.

Hope it catches on, on Scoobynet, that you don't have to be a boring old fart to take some driver training.


Anyone else on here fancy it ??

wrxmania

Well worth doing - will improve your on road driving manners and make you more aware of hazards.

Commentary drive is not required but is really needed if you want to clearly demonstrate you have control of "the system".

Brian IAM member 335345

Dave Bullock

My daughter is 17 now and learning to drive at the moment. I'm insisting that when she passes her test she has to do her IAM course within 12 months.

Oh how I laughed when she said that she'd be able to borrow the Scoob when she passes her test. Ha ha ha ha........ Yep sure sweetheart ......

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Not sure yet, as I've not told them, I'll keep you posted

Speed limits were easy Andy, as you know I usually buzz around in town at or near them anyway. The nsl I went on was a little too busy and enclosed to be doing anything other then 60+ on a saturday afternoon anyway, so kept my speed down below. I did manage 2 overtakes on that road though, as was commended for them

graeme, my examiner, Roger Taylor, was a very nice man Began by explaining that he was there to facilitate my successful attainment of the standards, not there to "pass/fail" me. We set off from the Garden Centre we met at, and began by some 30/40 mph driving in town and suburb. Gave lots of room to the vehicles in front, hands on the wheel at all times, handbrake on and car in neutral at every traffic light (unless it was about to change)
Basically all the stuff I've been training to do over the last 3 months.
Then onto the nsl just off the m56 to tatton park second left after the roundabout here: Google Maps
on Dirty Lane, where we got stuck behind a Honda crv. Kept my distance, as he was doing around 50 anyway, came across a horsebox and 2 horses in 2 seperate incidents, still keeping my distance. I did at one point consider the overtake, but thought better of it and sure enough, a car came hurtling round the next corner!
After that, it was back towards 30/40 for a while, and then onto some more nsl, by which time I was not familiar with the area. 2 big 4x4's in front of me plodding along, was going to take them both in one go, but hung back on the 2nd and waited as a pushbike and car were approaching. Good call
Took the last 4x4 then back to the garden centre after a quick 3 point turn on an estate.
Feedback: Should have pressed on more, especially in my car, on the first nsl. He admitted it was a difficult road and busy time of day to be pressing on, but slapped wrist for not being a little more urgent (not agressive, just quicker) Couldn't understand my gear selection, I frequently will change from 1st to 3rd when pulling away, as my car has 349 lbft torque, so I use it. Likewise, I'll use 2nd to 4th too. Will often go 1st/3rd/5th when pulling away on a fast stretch of road, the engine is that elastic He conceded that it's my car though and whatever I'm comfortable with is ok with him.
Speeding, I "stole" a little he said, which when you consider that on my 4 runs beforehand, I'd got warned by 4 instructors for doing over 30 (usually 33/34/35) in a 30, then I did very well on the day. The busy traffic actually helped in this instance. He did actually tell me off about not making proper progress on another occasion too. Duel carraigeway A34, approach to roundabouts when turning left on a 3 lane. Should be in empty middle lane, turning left to empty right hand lane, which makes sense
Finally, the position of my hands on the wheel. Very good, but thumbs need to stay out of the rim, and rest my palms on the wheel, not my thumb tips.

Overall a great run which I actually enjoyed I'm going back to the club now to iron out the wrinkles, and hopefully gain the position of observer myself over the remainder of the year.
I'm also going to enquire if work will pay for my RoSPA membership, as I'm head of health and safety and fire safety at work already