I've recently completed a 3 week driving course at work that was based on a driving style called the system of car control. There is a book called roadcraft, which is aimed at emergency response drivers. However it can be purchased anywhere and is well worth a read. Many of us spend lots of money on making our cars faster but nothing on improving our driving. I thought my driving was pretty good before the course but I was amazed at how much there is to learn. I'm now producing a much smoother, faster and controlled drive.

For anyone that's interested the institute of advanced motorists (IAM) provide courses under the system and upon completion you can become a member resulting in cheaper car insurance!!!

The same principles apply to motorcycle riding. It's the best investment anyone can make to improve safety and upgrade your driving/riding

hope you don't mind, but here is the ISBN number for anyone who'd like to buy a copy;

ISBN:9780117021686

IAM skill for life courses are also discounted until Xmas.

I quite like the John Lyons book which is like Roadcraft but a bit more readable as well as covering a bit more advanced material that (current) Roadcraft shies away from.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Driving-further-enjoyment-motoring/dp/085733221X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352883215&sr=8-3

Other book shops are available

Chris

well worth reading, way better than HTBABD (although not official training material), only 7ish quid on Amazon.

The top stickied thread in this forum has a lot of links to useful resources such as books, advanced driving trainers etc.

My dad has been in the IAM for well put it this way when he passed the test you did it cold no pre test training. By dad being in it myself and my brother both after passing our driving tests got a go on a now not used police skidpan. I was scared to death the first time I did it but the second time i found it great fun as well. At least I for one know what to do on ice and I have been 17 years driving and never as yet had a problem in icy conditions. Also roadcraft helped me when first learning to drive. Its a book well worth reading.

IPSGA.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk whilst in a taxi rank

The £139 price of IAM Skill For Life now includes 1 year RAC breakdown.

Don't expect much of a reduction in car insurance cost of you pass the IAM Advanced Driving test. Some insurance companies give no discount at all. I use the IAM insurance scheme run by Surety and have just insured my 2012 vRS TDi DSG for £140 (including their £5.28 arrangement fee) with a £100 excess and my wife as named driver. The next closest in price was Hastings with a policy with less benefits and a £350 excess.

The system of car control is a system or drill each of which is considered in sequence at the approach to Any hazard. That is the start of the book. I was a police driver for many years. Ad it guys will open your eyes and may just keep you safe.

The £139 price of IAM Skill For Life now includes 1 year RAC breakdown.

Don't expect much of a reduction in car insurance cost of you pass the IAM Advanced Driving test. Some insurance companies give no discount at all. I use the IAM insurance scheme run by Surety and have just insured my 2012 vRS TDi DSG for £140 (including their £5.28 arrangement fee) with a £100 excess and my wife as named driver. The next closest in price was Hastings with a policy with less benefits and a £350 excess.

 

I went on a well known comparison site run allegedly by Meerkats, and quoted their cheapest comparable quote to Surety. I ended up saving £200 as they matched it without question. Result !

There's also a DVD of Roadcraft; It's some years old now (check the cars) but shows The System much better than the book writes it IMO. It also gives you a base of understanding to work through things like "Advanced Driving Craft" from.

The DVD is good, helps show the theory in practice.

A new version of the Roadcraft book was released just a few weeks ago.  It's a bit thicker than the previous with a few extra sections, but from what I can see no great changes.

 

I am about to do the RoSPA RoADAR (they like acronyms) advanced driving test.  I did my final check with a senior instructor at the weekend and am just waiting for a date for the test.  It has definitely made me a better driver and I would recommend it to everyone who drives (and bikers).

 

My instructor lent me a DVD by Chris Gilbert who is one of the most respected advanced driving instructors in the UK.  Worth a look.  There are some vids of his here - http://www.youtube.com/user/UltDrivingCraft?feature=watch

if anyone wants to do the skills for life course with the IAM you get the book as part of the deal. I've just completed mine and found it challenging, rewarding and at times nerve racking too but don't regret putting the time and effort inone bit.

The IAM Skill for Life 'course' is currently reduced from the usual £139 to £125 if the voucher is ordered before Xmas.  Course can be started any time in next 12 months.

 

 

IAM skill for life courses are also discounted until Xmas.

 

That's two of us now that's made that point !

 

 

IAM skill for life courses are also discounted until Xmas.

 

That's two of us now that's made that point !

 

 

 

A year apart.......

I can only echo what everybody has said.

 

But, even though I got a First when I passed in 2010, we still have masses to learn.

 

Next up is HPC. That doesn't have to be done in a HP car.... just as well as mine weighs about 1700kg and had 110bhp when it was new 116,000 miles ago 

 

 

(High Performance Club for those who don't know)

 

 

Talkng to people who have joined, it is all about taking Roadcraft to the letter and one of the biggest differences is very slow into corner, much slower than you think or feel it should be. But they seem to end up going faster overall, without speeding.... mmmmm

HPC is the next step I want to take.

Police grade 1advanced car and motorcycle psv and hgv all police trained and repeated every 2 yrs in the case of the car and bike advanced. No discount on insurance, but get it through the IAM and you do. As the yanks say GO FIGURE.