just been for my initial test - first impressions are pretty good.

i consider myself a good aware driver, but their test showed various issues with my driving and bad habits.
more minor things like attention to signs (other than speed ), driving with arm propped on door, crossing hands when steering and flicking the gearstick rather than holding it to change gear.

the other particulars of the test like road position, forward thinking, speed, obstacle awareness were good but this would definately aid any driver. it's a shame it's not compulsory as it would both improve road sense and get alot of other people off the road.

the only annoying thing i found was they teach you not to use engine braking to slow down (yet it's acceptable on inclines!). gears for go, brakes for stopping. that’s going to be one hell of a habit to break!


not bad for £140. i'm expecting the insurance to cover that in the 1st year alone. i also expect it to benefit me on the track - being smooth, aware etc.

 

IAM and Roadcraft ... Yep, useful and simple stuff.

"Do not put your elbow on the window frame, arm rest, etc ... this reduces control and looks slack!" God, I can remember that from learning Roadcraft off by heart in 1993 !! I am very sad

Gear as for going and brakes are for slowing


It's all coming back - I think I need a beer ....

 

I never found it made a jot of difference to insurance premiums.
a

12 years on I still use a lot of the techniques. WhenI did it you still had to give a running commentary on ones progress and dangers etc

 

You won't recover that cost in saved premiums unfortunately.

What do they teach in respect of joining motorways from slip roads,
and for behaviour towards traffic joining you from a motorway on-ramp if you are in lane one?

I ask because I have seen some illogical and stupid twunts doing some REALLY dumb things here.
All were sporting IAM badges and the like.
No good being 'right' if you hit someone....

As for the 'running commentary'
I'm damned sure if I did this I would be at less than the required 100% concentration required!
Havign done it on track a few times with passengers, I always seem to feck things up (more often)

 

Can't remember what they teach you in this situation as it was about 10 years or more since I did this, but I know I would move to the second lane when safe to do so to allow them out, possibly even the third if there were slow trucks on the inside lane that way the could join the motorway and overtake the trucks.

 

I have found this not to be the case.

They STUBBORNLY refuse to move into lane 2 until you are almost at collision speed.
I assumed it was because the 'manual' tells them it's the responsibilty of joining traffic to adjust speed and position to blend.
Which it is, and we all know it.
But its not how the other 99% of road users drive, or expect others to drive.
And I have witnessed some near misses as a result.

So it seems that this may be a case of most IAM badge wearers being stupid, arrogant and blind old people.
And not simply a fault of their training. Would fit the demographic I suppose.
Bit like the the fact nost IAm badges are accompanied by a 1965 RAC or AA club metal badge glued to the grille.

 

I wouldn't hold your breath for lower insurance premiums.

 

From Roadcraft:

 

I see the problem of the aplication of this bit by Mr IAM as the possible issue:-
"Drivers on the motorway have priority and may not be able to move over to allow you to enter"

Mr IAM seems to interpret this bit as 'feck you, I'm not moving or altering speed to allow you to blend even though I could'

I'm doing 2k miles or more a week regularly mate.
I see it all, and often when I have seen this behaviour it is either by a badge wearing old git, or a 'Red' driving school car

 

I'd say the issue lies with those joining motorways.

However, the Highway code's recommendation to (IIRC) "show consideration for other road users" over-rides hard and fast rules.

If you're in a BMW, then barging your way to the "fast lane" is de rigeur!