Having taken my first advanced driving test this morning (Rospa GOLD! get in! ) it got me wondering how many other advanced drivers are out there and appreciate the extra skills when dealing with the roads (and the people on them...)

Congrats Jason.  It isn't easy is it?

 

Yes both bikes and cars with Lincolnshire Police when I was a serving officer.  Quite a few years ago now and in fact with the car a lot of years ago.  Thing is you never forget it and because it works it becomes natural.  I also was an Advanced Instructor and Assessor for the British Motorcycle Federation and have taught quite a few riders to pass their Advanced Test.

 

For me I still think the most important part is observation as if you are in the correct position you will see things happen as soon as you possibly can and be in a better position to deal with them as a result.  Many people will also quote positioning but to me that comes under observation as well because if you see what the road is doing by your early observation you will be able to put yourself in the best position for the next hazard.

 

I would advise anyone to take a few lessons and I doubt there are many that would not pick up some skills that would help them.

Well done Jason. Been a while now since i did IAM.

Congrats Jason.  It isn't easy is it?

 

Yes both bikes and cars with Lincolnshire Police when I was a serving officer.  Quite a few years ago now and in fact with the car a lot of years ago.  Thing is you never forget it and because it works it becomes natural.  I also was an Advanced Instructor and Assessor for the British Motorcycle Federation and have taught quite a few riders to pass their Advanced Test.

 

For me I still think the most important part is observation as if you are in the correct position you will see things happen as soon as you possibly can and be in a better position to deal with them as a result.  Many people will also quote positioning but to me that comes under observation as well because if you see what the road is doing by your early observation you will be able to put yourself in the best position for the next hazard.

 

I would advise anyone to take a few lessons and I doubt there are many that would not pick up some skills that would help them.

 

No, which is perhaps one reason I have been gaining lots of experience before committing to the test.  I did a lot of hanging back and right side of lane positioning to increase view around lorries on single carriageway roads which I think was appreciated.  Long range observation does appear key, and short range observation appears to stem from that ultimately.

 

I struggled a bit on a couple of his questions on highway code, but I think that was more my understanding/interpretation.  I was much more comfortable when he asked me the diagnosis and affect of a broken damper

Yep I got my gold too

I used to be a "qualified observer" for an advanced motoring organisation a few years ago (lapsed now). Now I've got the house up together I really should get back involved with it, no doubt my roadcraft could do with a brush-up. Thankfully I've found System and Pull-Push aren't easy to exorcise once drummed in hard enough.

Edited 19 September, 20159 yr by ettlz

Well done... I am a Member of the IAM, have been since 2008,, having been driving fo 30 years I thought it was time for a "refresher" and I do look at things different now.. ... Been looking at doing the Rospa test for a while

Hi

I am a national observer for the IAM, passed my advanced test in 2011, became an oberver in 2012 and passed my national oberver this year.

I do a lot of driving for work and just keeps your standards up. Also great fun to go out in a range of cars and meet some fantastic people.

Just need to get more young drives taking the coarse..

RoSPA Gold of the long-lapsed, expired, really oughta re-do it variety.

Me too

Well you talk of long lapsed.  I did my Advanced Cars with Lincs Police in 1976!  I can still remember a bit though.  Bikes I did in 1989 but was instructing and examining advanced on bikes at the start of this century.  Blimey that sounds like ages ago as well.

Me too. IAM Observer since 2000.

Sat mine back in 1990 as a company requirement, and I loved it. 

The IAM has around 100,000 current members and over 300,000 have taken and passed the IAM Advanced Driving test since it was introduced.

 

Until recently I was an IAM local observer and have also been membership secretary for the local group, but now just an 'ordinary' member.

Bikes I did in 1989 but was instructing and examining advanced on bikes at the start of this century.  Blimey that sounds like ages ago as well.

 

Same year I qualified on bikes with the police.

 

By which I mean took my cycling proficiency under the watchful eye of the village bobby.

Edited 28 November, 20159 yr by StevesTruck

Well they don't do that anymore and most kids just ride on the path anyway!

Yea I did IAM test years ago too and then observer with my local group for a few years. Bit rusty now though !

I went the third route, I'm a Diamond Advanced driver (through the Driving Instructor's Association).  It tends to be looked down on by some IAM types (though not all) because the examiners are not necessarily ex police.  The standard is equivalent, although with more emphasis on Eco Safe driving rather than on 'making progress'.  For me it is much more relevent as I am dealing with fleet drivers rather than blue light issues.

 

You pays your money and takes your choice.

To be fair, if you do everything right, making progress is virtually a by-product unless you're really short-shifting. If there's no reason not to do the limit, get on and do it.

 

That and most fleet drivers go like they're on a blue anyway

Edited 11 December, 20159 yr by StevesTruck

I went the third route, I'm a Diamond Advanced driver (through the Driving Instructor's Association).  It tends to be looked down on by some IAM types (though not all) because the examiners are not necessarily ex police.  The standard is equivalent, although with more emphasis on Eco Safe driving rather than on 'making progress'.  For me it is much more relevent as I am dealing with fleet drivers rather than blue light issues.

 

You pays your money and takes your choice.

I really do not know why anyone who does training would look down on what you do.  I accept that some will but they shouldn't.  Any training is good provided it is done properly and what you do will be a huge advantage to those that undertake that training.  We do not all need to be travelling at Blue light speed and in fact travelling at normal speed any advantage you can have by better training will be worth while.

 

I hate all this one up manship stuff and see no need for it but that is 'some' people for you.  I would hope any of that nonsense does not put you off in any way.

I'd like to get in to doing this. Was only reading up on the Rospa versus IAM debates the other day. Seems they are quite similar with Rospa being more value for money?

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Me too

 

Did you get examined by Mr Boyd by any chance? 

We have an offer on at the moment -

 

http://iam.org.uk/Christmas

Well you talk of long lapsed.  I did my Advanced Cars with Lincs Police in 1976!  I can still remember a bit though.  Bikes I did in 1989 but was instructing and examining advanced on bikes at the start of this century.  Blimey that sounds like ages ago as well.

seriously thinking of doing some advanced riding lessons on the bike.. but im not quite sure what to expect tbh haha. 

 

im not too fussed about doing anything on 4 wheels.. if im being brutally honest, i think being on 2 wheels makes me a better car driver anyway. Always spotting hazards and reading the road more. 

 

ive been meaning to book to do the bike one for abit, but never got round to it yet :( 

I'd like to get in to doing this. Was only reading up on the Rospa versus IAM debates the other day. Seems they are quite similar with Rospa being more value for money?

 

 

Whereabouts in Cheshire are you? RoSPA Manchester group are friendly bunch and based near Stockport - Woodley.

 

I found it a better experience than local IAM, but that's just down to personal preference and how you find the local groups TBH.