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Advanced motoring is planned driving that makes safe and efficient use of road space.
It is confident and decisive driving where you are 'always in the right part of the road, travelling at the right speed and in the right gear; never making unnecessarily jerky moves or changes of direction.'
What are its origins?
The idea of a more searching test of a driver's skill than the official one was first floated at a National Road Safety Congress held in November 1954.
The Minister of Transport, John Boyd Carpenter was inspired by a report showing how effective advanced driver training had been in cutting accident rates for the Metropolitan Police (since the Hendon driving school had been founded in 1934, police road accidents had fallen from, on average, one every 9,000 miles to one every 72,500 miles!). Meetings of like minded people with broad motoring interests were organised and in June 1956 the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) was established.
A year earlier, Louise Duncan, who was the Road Safety Officer for the London Borough of Finchley, with the help of a number of police driving school instructors formed the Finchley League of Safe Drivers. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) took over management of the league in 1980.
Using the 'system of car control', the police drivers course running from Hendon, North London since 1934 had achieved in 20 years an 89% reduction in the number of road accidents involving their vehicles. Retired Chief Superintendent and Senior Instructor, Jock Taylor published the course training notes in a book called 'Attention all drivers' in 1954. This was the forerunner to an official publication detailing current best practice in police driving, so providing an invaluable guide to the requirements of advanced motoring. 'Roadcraft' is available from most bookshops or the Stationery Office (formerly HMSO).
Who conducts Advanced Driving Tests?
Advanced tests are conducted by the IAM and the RoSPA Advanced Drivers' Association. A 'diamond' advanced test is also available from the Driving Instructors' Association (DIA).
Each of the tests lasts about 90 minute and can cover some 35 to 40 miles in varying road and traffic conditions. RoSPA ADA test results are graded 'Gold', 'Silver', 'Bronze' or 'Ungraded'.
The IAM and RoSPA tests are delivered by serving or retired police traffic patrol officers who hold the Class One Advanced Driving Certificate. Training courses are known for their rigour and high demand Each course lasts up to 6 weeks at one of Britain's Police Driving Schools. It is testimony to this training based on the 'system of car control' that police drivers covering high mileages often at speed, have very few serious accidents. Their day to day work puts them at the sharp end of traffic problems giving them the relevant experience and understanding to conduct.
Would your driving stand the test?
If you have a confident opinion of your own driving, why not prove the point by taking and passing an advanced driving test?
What puts people off taking an advanced driving test?
Anecdotal evidence from qualified drivers starting on our instructor training courses points to a fear of failing due to the 'bad habits' that have crept into their driving. When asked what is meant by 'bad habits' typical responses include 'not keeping within the speed limits' and 'sloppy use of the controls'.
Before you take your Advanced Test make sure you're in the right frame of mind. Before you drive, sit for a few moments and consider your objectives. Start gradually and deliberately, let the pace develop, settle into the drive as your concentration builds. Don't set out to impress, instead, be relaxed and natural - be yourself !
The System of Car Control
Used correctly this is a systematic, safe and smooth way of approaching and negotiating all road and traffic hazards.
Beginning with the information, each phase of the system is then dependent on the previous one. 'Information' needs to be continuously used to determine the circumstances that may reasonably be expected to develop. Read the road ahead like a detective novel. The road markings are the punctuation, not only in white paint, but also black tyre marks left by the late braking of other vehicles.
Position for course, safety and observation. Positioning provides some indication of your intended course, it will also give you with more time to react if you keep a cushion of space from other road users. Look well ahead and have an escape route as an alternative plan if things go wrong.
Use of speed. Advanced motoring involves driving fast where traffic conditions; visibility and the law permit such as on open clear country roads. It also means driving at speeds below the legal limit where shorter stopping distances are perceived to be necessary such as in busy high streets and near to schools during term time. The question of speed is related to the need to keep space. 'Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.' The Highway Code (Rule 126) As our speed doubles, braking distances become four times greater. When travelling at 70 mph the distance needed to stop is four times more than at 30 mph.
Use of the controls. Successful handling of the car needs a business like use of its controls. To start with, this means spending a few moments thinking about your driving tasks to get your brain and body in gear before turning the ignition key. Try the brakes for effectiveness before, and then as you first move away. From then on, smooth, even acceleration and deceleration sense results in passenger comfort, less wear on the vehicle and fuel economy. Anticipating potential problems ahead and the need to slow or stop well in advance should keep your braking to a minimum and reduce your accident risk. Late and heavy braking will increase the possibility of being struck from behind and if your driving style includes sudden spurts of speed, followed by frequent braking, you are jeopardising your car control. The brakes are for slowing and the gears are for going. By not making unnecessary changes through the intermediate gears when slowing you will have more time to concentrate your visual search skills To increase your car's speed you need the gears to transform the engine's power. Smooth gear changing calls upon your car sense and skill using the clutch and accelerator precisely. The most appropriate point to accelerate depends on the hazard(s). Remember that a moving car has most stability when it's being driven under constant acceleration in a straight line.
Get the line right
The message is that safe control of your car's movement forwards and backwards calls for skill co-ordinating the use of its controls. The amount of grip your tyres have on the road is shared between accelerating, braking and steering forces. For instance, putting a heavy demand on them for braking reduces the ability to steer.
Good steering begins with sitting in the correct seat position. When turning corners the 'pull-push' steering technique is preferred to turning the wheel hand over hand.
Assessment of a safe speed at which you can steer your car round corners and bends on country roads depends considerably on the limit point of your vision ahead. Assessment of the distance in which you will be able to stop is crucial to your safety. Sometimes referred to as the 'vanishing point', this is the 'point' where offside and nearside verges meet. The severity of the bend is indicated by whether the limit point remains fixed (sharp bend) or is moving away (gradual bend). Where the bend is gradual and your visibility is good and, providing the remaining circumstances are safe, you should be a proficient enough driver to make headway through the bend at the National Speed Limit.
Stability and safety can be improved by adopting a suitable position for the corner or bend, that is in the UK, well to the left on a right hand bend and, with discretion, a position towards the right on a left hand bend.
Advanced Driver Training
As in sport, achieving and maintaining high standards needs training and practice.
Whether you drive for pleasure or necessity there is something to be achieved by taking advanced training. People who've participated in our courses invariably comment how much more interesting, enjoyable and relaxed their driving feels especially on fast roads.
Advanced driving courses show you how much there is to see ahead even on a seemingly empty road and what value to place on traffic situations. You learn how to process all the information and synchronise your mind with your movements of the car's controls for a progressive drive with maximum safety and minimum danger.
Investment of your time and finance in an advanced driving course will stretch your ability and awareness of what is happening on the road. It will help better prepare you for any and every eventuality, so reducing the risk of costly accidents and increasing the likelihood of saving lives (and not just your own).
For free advice on Advanced Driving Courses, just call us during normal office hours on:
- 0800 610 1276 (During normal office hours)
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