Been reading some interesting threads on the subject of road safety/ speeding, etc. and purely out of curiosity I was wondering what this course actually consists of and if anyone who has actually completed a course feels that they have benefitted.

 

The motorbike one was good... but the car one was just alot of common sence. (i thought)

I reckon there are plenty of people that would benifit that have a limited applied knowledge of the road. Unfortunately all those people never do it.

I found that when i did mine there were alot of OAP cap wearing leather gloved astra drivers (all very nice people tho) Just not my scene.

check out the website for info on the course, but its just like the normal driving test only you are expected to know a little bit more.

 

most of the local groups are full of over 60's and there is a lot of common sense about it.

In theory, the IAM teaches you the rules of the road and driving skills according to the Police method; published in "Roadcraft".

The major 'skill' taught is that of the "System of car control" - this breaks down your hazard perception and control into 5 main points.

I passed the IAM test about 6 months ago and the more stringent, RoSPA (with Gold Award) a month or so later.

I recommend both as a good way to fine-tune your driving skills and make you think a little more about hazard perception and how you deal with issues. It makes driving a little more enjoyable in some ways, but certainly won't set your world on fire.

IAM is generally considered to be a good grounding in advanced driving, although once you pass your test, you are never required to retake it.

RoSPA on the other hand requires a re-test every two years in order to maintain the qualification and the Gold Award is considered to be the highest class of driving available to a non-Police driver.

Neither have had a particularly big impact on my insurance premium, but I guess they could do for those <25.

 

Thanks fellas.

Sounds very similar to the standard police course without the speed factor.

The theory is clearly the same.

 

in terms of insurance the only time i benifited was this year:

 

I have done the course and I benefitted.

As with most things in life there is always something you can learn from a 3rd party. Most is common sense yes, but the main benefit I took away from the course was to use the road and surroundings to maintain concentration. Makes driving less mundane.

I didn't like the "system" which feels antiquated, and their anal retention to push pull - I did the course 5 or so years ago and I hope they have dropped this (as I understand it's now acceptable to cross hands when drving) although given the average observers age I doubt it.

 

Unfortunately, they've kept the push-pull thing in - the only time you're allowed to cross hands (they say) is when maneouvering (sp?) at low speed i.e. parking.

 

I think it's the style in which the "Roadcraft" manual is written and it should be updated.

As for "feeding the wheel" I only do that when it's hungry.

 

I thought they did allow rotational steering these days.

Back when I was a 20 year old with a motorbike, I went to an introductory IAM meeting for bikes. But it was full of old duffers seemingly wanting to suck all the fun out of it. Or at least that's what I thought at that age.

I did bike training with the BMF, and they taught us according to the police Roadcraft manual and "The System" (this was before all the pass your bike test in an hour places sprung up). IIRC you were meant to go through seven stages whilst approaching a junction, or something daft, and I could never quite understand exactly why you couldn't brake and change gear and be looking where you were going at the same time. Something like that, I may have it all wrong.

 

My Step Dad is a class one Police driver/instructor.

He has also done the IAM exam.

Him and his colleagues regularly take the pi55 out of the IAM lot as people who are all trousers and no action.