Pete Advanced Driving course - Lesson 10

Friday 16 July 2010

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2010 was to go on an 'Advanced Driving' course.

I've signed up with Warrington IAM - a Registered Charity whose purpose is to promote road safety and to assist members of the public preparing for the Advanced Driving Test.

ADVANCED DRIVING IS ABOUT:-

• 1. Being in total control...all the time.
• 2. Brilliant observation and timing at junctions and roundabouts, so that you can negotiate the traffic with minimal disruption.
• 3. Progressive driving where conditions allow.
• 4. Effective overtaking.
• 5. Awareness of other road users' behaviour.
• 6. Understanding how your car works, and getting the most out of it.

My Observer is Andrew - (Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson) who's a passenger in my car while I 'The Hamster' do the driving.

There's 5 key points to stick to during this course:-

• I - Information
• P - Positioning
• S - Speed
• G - Gear
• A - Acceleration

Lesson 10 - Following last week's lesson, Jezza told me that he believes I'm ready to apply for the 'Advanced Driving Test'. But first he wanted to see how I handled a route that he had specifically chosen. This route takes into account all that I've learnt over the last few months. There were plenty of junctions, roundabouts, country lanes with sharp bends, wide & narrow country lanes. We also went onto the motorway. During this course, how I handled the route was being monitored and also the use of my gears and braking.

I'd be lying if I said it was easy! I've been driving for 22yrs and this route caught me out a few times and also caused me to react quickly quite a few times.

Following the lesson Jezza commented by saying I should apply for my 'Advanced Driving Test' NOW.

Here's what Jezza has to say on my progress:-

"Hamster had a good run around a tricky course and all in all did well. He still struggles with maintaining 100% concentration at all times (you know how he is, he likes the sound of his own voice) and let's his standards slip once in a while. I've recommended him to put in for his advanced driving test and I'm confident that by the time the test comes through he'll be ready to pass it"

Jezza

There's loads & loads of benefits you can get once you've passed your 'Advanced Driving' test such as:- cheaper car & bike insurance, discounts off sat nav systems, breakdown recovery, tyres & MOT tests and plenty more!

Most importantly you'll be a much better, calmer and safer driver!

If you'd like to know more then log onto the 'Warrington IAM' website (see link below). There's also an 'IAM' branch based in Halton if it's easier for you - www.iam.org.uk

Just think, if more drivers took this 'Advanced Driving' course then this would help reduce the rate of accidents due to careless driving.

Keep listening to my show & checking back to my blogs to see how I'm getting on! Or why not sign up yourself!!