Advanced Driving Test – The Right Place At the Right Time
Feb 2nd, 2010 by ladyjean
The British Home Office Approved Police Driving Schools has an advanced driving test which uses the ‘Roadcraft’ system of car control. The test is based on the overriding principle of ‘being in the right place at the right time at the right speed and having control of your vehicle at all times’.
Find out more from this article written by Ian Bell:
Advanced Motoring – 5 More Safe Motoring Tips
In 1967 this writer took and passed the Institute of Advanced Motorists driving test. It consisted of an oral and a practical test. From memory there was no written part of the examination – I guess this was because the test was to establish a practical, hands-on approach to the serious business of handling a car safely on the road. Too many examinations now are tests of one’s ability to memorise points and details, as opposed to being able to efficiently and realistically put them into practice.
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Using the ‘Roadcraft’ system of car control as taught in the British Home Office Approved Police Driving Schools, the advanced driving test is not merely an accolade to be sought by motorists who feel they are ‘a cut above the rest’.
Very few motorists who have taken the test would have done so to prove a point to anyone but himself or herself. Many have said that it took them some time to pluck up the courage to apply to take the advanced motoring test. When questioned the majority cited a lack of confidence in their own ability to measure up to the institute’s high standards.
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The definition of Advanced Motoring is, put simply: ‘being in the right place at the right time at the right speed and having control of your vehicle at all times’. In fact the official definition is more convoluted than that, but this will suffice for the purpose of these tips.
1. An advanced motorist needs a particular type of mindset – some call it ‘attitude’ – to driving as a whole. The right ‘attitude’ has been shown to be one of pride in safe driving – a desire to improve and to be the best it is possible to be. Not for reasons of ’showing off’ or to become an exhibitionist, but simply to have and take pride in a standard of driving that will foster safety and enjoyment.
2. Observational abilities are high on the list of qualities needed to become a better, safer motorist. To be able to see what is happening well ahead and behind the vehicle you are driving and to be able also to accurately ‘read’ or analyse what you see is a definite advantage to becoming a really good driver. Pre-empting what others are doing on the road around you (fore, aft, left and right) is a distinct benefit to your safety and that of others. Tunnel vision is a disadvantage, but does not preclude anyone if they are aware of it and are able to compensate. Tunnel vision is another way of describing a limited peripheral (side) vision without turning one’s head. Practising glancing briefly to left and right is a way of handling this slight drawback.
3. Signals to other road users is a critical part of good driving. Some motorists seem to think that everyone else knows what they intend doing with their car! At least, that is the way they drive – with little thought to letting others know what they are about to do. There is a simple, easily memorized system of knowing where everything goes from start to finish in the order of making a manoeuvre. Once you have decided that you are going, say, to turn left, follow this procedure:
- Mirrors (check them)
- Signal (give it)
- Position (on the road – move smoothly to it)
- Brake (to the speed to safely make the turn)
- Gear (to maintain control throughout the turn)
- Observation (so you do not clobber someone)
- Turn
Simple yet extremely effective.
4. The Running commentary. This used to be a part of the Institute of Advanced Motoring Certificate – it is no longer. The running commentary required the driver undergoing the test to give a five minute commentary out loud on what they were doing and why whilst driving the test route. It was felt that by so doing the ‘testee’ would give the examiner an insight into the way the driver’s mind was working. It was also calculated to bring home to the person undergoing the test precisely how and what they were thinking while driving; how they were working their mind along the road ahead and anticipating the actions of other road users. Try this yourself and see how you fare!
5. Anticipation is possibly the single most beneficial and life-saving skill a motorist could possess. To work out in advance what the truck driver in front is going to do, or the dear little old lady walking toward the curb, or to spot the feet of a child underneath the car parked up ahead. The position on the road of the car in front that ‘feels’ somehow odd – is it going to turn right or does the driver have a fly in his eye? All these small examples of anticipation could save someone’s’ life – and that someone could be you.
About The Author: I’m Ian and I write many articles on the subject of golf. Come and visit my latest website over at: http://www.20inchlcdtv.org that helps people find the best 20 inch lcd tv available on the market.
