| Ashley Martin puts 26 years of driving into practice
to take the IAM’s advanced driving test. Will he become
part of an illustrious band of drivers? |
Ashley Martin (left) takes to the wheel with
examiner Mike Lovelock |
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| "Only a select minority have
taken anything more their basic driving test” |
|
More than 1,000 public and private sector organisations have used
IAM Fleet for their at-work driver training and more than 400,000
drivers have taken the Institute of Advanced Motorist’s (IAM)
advanced driving test – was I about to join that illustrious
band? The advanced driving test devised and conducted by the IAM is
“recognised internationally as the hallmark of proficiency behind
the wheel”. There are almost 30,000 million cars on the UK’s
roads and 32.1 million people hold a current driving licence –
but only a select minority have taken anything more than their basic
driving test. In the last decade or so, I have sampled a number of
defensive driving programmes from a variety of organisations in my
role as a motoring journalist, and have driven abroad and on countless
tracks in the UK under the watchful gaze of professional drivers.
While I felt confident that much of what I had learned on the defensive
driving programmes would hold me in good stead for what was to follow
– a detailed analysis of my driving by Mike Lovelock, one of
the IAM’s top examiners, who spent the last four-and-half-years
of a 32-year Metropolitan Police career in charge of services at Hendon
driving school – I was not sure that skills learned on the track
would be any use where speed was everything. On the day of the test
we met on, as far as I was concerned, unknown territory in a Watford
car park. While I was familiar with the nearby M25, the A-roads and
country lanes on which I was to spend most of my time were a new experience.
During the 74-mile journey to our rendezvous, I spent most of the
time making sure that I routinely carried out all the skills expected
of an advanced driver.
Anticipation and observation were obviously crucial – 95% of
all accidents are caused by human error – but central to examination
success would be the so-called “planned system of driving”.
Described as a “systematic approach” whenever a driver
changes speed or course, it goes hand-in-hand with the need to think
ahead and embraces five-points:
- Information – check mirrors, plan how to deal with identified
hazards and signal before changing course
- Position – move smoothly to the correct course still
checking mirrors
- Speed – adjust to the correct level for the hazard by
braking progressively (acceleration may be required), maintaining
signals and checking mirrors
- Gear – when reduced to the right speed, select the correct
gear
- Acceleration – once car is on the correct course after
the hazard, accelerate to a suitable speed
All of that was in mind, as was ensuring that I looked down the
road – too many drivers stare at the end of the bonnet of
their car – making sure I kept to the various speed limits,
ensuring that I kept a “safe” distance from the vehicle
ahead, checked my nearside mirror when negotiating roundabouts and
that I kept my hands at about quarter-to-three on the steering wheel
and “passed” the wheel from hand-to-hand. Simple! I’ve
been driving for 26 years and as I drew into the meeting place I
had mentally passed my own “test” on the 100-minute
drive south. However, would Mike be impressed enough with my behind-the-wheel
skills to enable me to join that elite group of advanced drivers?
After checking my car was safe – tyres were legal, no damage
to windscreen, and so on, and making sure that I could read a number
plate across the other side of the car park – we left the
shoppers behind and headed for unfamiliar roads around Radlett,
Maple Cross, Shenley and Amersham.
| How to be an advanced driver
Motorists wishing to take the advanced driving test buy a
“Skills for Life” package costing £85 (£10
discount for under 25s) from the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
The car or motorcycle package includes associate membership
of a local IAM group to help prepare for the test, a copy
of the invaluable How to be an Advanced Driver manual, the
cost of the test and the first year’s membership of
the Institute. There are about 200 IAM groups nationwide and
overseas and candidates will join the most conveniently-located
for them so they can prepare for the advanced test under the
expert eye of observers. A couple of group classroom sessions
working through the manual and discussing the driving system
known as “car control” will be followed by a number
of individual on-the-road sessions. The allocated observer,
someone who has passed the IAM test, will prepare the “student”
for the test. The number of one-to-one sessions will vary
from driver to driver, but eight or nine hour-long “lessons”
are not unknown. The observer will then recommend the driver
for the test, which will usually take place within three weeks.
After passing the test, IAM membership must be renewed (£15)
annually when applicants must confirm they do not have eight
or more penalty points on their licence. A failure to meet
that criteria will see membership lapse. If the eight-point
barrier is breached, the test must be retaken for membership
to resume once the points are removed.
For information about the IAM advanced
driving test: Tel: 0208-996 9600 or visit the IAM website
at www.iam.org.uk
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Ashley and Mike discuss the finer points of driving |
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| "95% of all accidents are
caused by human error" |
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Unfamiliarity with any of the roads meant complacency never set
in as I consciously made myself look ahead and gathered evidence
that would give me clues as to what lay around the corner as I made
what Mike called a “progressive drive” along the roads
of the Home Counties. Mike’s frequent chatter recalling police
driving and training days, as officers learned the skills that had
made him a Class 1 police driver and motorcyclist and a DSA examiner,
eased any nerves I may have had. It seemed to me that it was not
so much a test – I vaguely recalled my driving test when the
only words that a straight-laced examiner uttered were when he wanted
me to turn left or right, go straight on at the next roundabout
or stop – as more a 40-45-mile drive of around 90 minutes
duration in a pleasant area of the UK with a pal. So what was Mike
looking for? Obviously a “safe” drive, but also a systematic
and progressive drive using mirrors, signals, brakes, gears and
accelerator correctly, and a smooth drive – no late or fierce
braking that would unsettle his confidence in me as a driver.
That, it should be said, does not mean driving conservatively,
although there is a fine line between “making satisfactory
progress” and breaking speed limits. Mike said: “When
it is safe to do so, we want drivers to use the performance of their
vehicle. The IAM is not an organisation of ‘old boys’
who tootle around at 30 mph. We are looking to make drivers safer,
but also to make driving more enjoyable so car performance can be
maximised.” Brakes are for slowing, gears are for going, says
the IAM, and while safety is its number one priority, mechanical
sympathy will reduce vehicle-running costs. For example, a clutch
can last for 100,000 miles if treated with respect, but a driver
with no mechanical sympathy can ruin one within 5,000 miles. I was
surprised that at least half our time together was spent on country
lanes. This, it became clear, was where the desired smooth, progressive
driver could easily be singled out from the slow, timid and uncertain
driver who would be a danger to both themselves and other road users.
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| “The IAM is not an organisation
of 'old boys' who tootle around at 30mph” |
|
It was, said Mike, important to progress smoothly through bends on
rural roads with no sudden acceleration or braking and he added: “Although
the majority of people do most of their driving in urban areas, we
pick up most about driving behaviour in rural areas.” Long-range
observation – fresh horse muck may signal a live hazard around
the next corner, the smell of grass could herald a slow-moving machine
filling the lane a few yards ahead – was vital as was road positioning
– for left-hand bends, the best view is obtained by moving towards
the centre of the road; for right-hand bends approach on the nearside.
A motorcyclist turning right and cutting the corner thus heading straight
towards me presented one unwanted hazard, while a horse and rider
appeared almost on demand. We joined the M25 for one junction to ensure
that I knew to accelerate on the slip road, so I joined the three-lane
motorway in the left-hand lane safely and at the speed of flow; made
progress at a safe distance – “only a fool breaks the
two second rule” – and at a speed suitable to the conditions
without breaking the 70 mph speed limit; showed lane discipline and
then prepared to exit by the time I reached the 300-yard marker without
cutting anyone up and reduced my speed accordingly.
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| “Advanced drivers are more
observant and better at anticipating changes in surrounding
conditions” |
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It was then back to urban areas and making sure I continued to make
progress within the various speed limits, while watching out for 4x4s
riding up kerbs in congested villages and children dashing from classroom
to home. Making sure that I stopped at traffic lights and then slipped
the car into neutral and pulled the handbrake on for one final time,
we arrived back in the car park where I would hear Mike’s analysis
of my driving and his pass or fail verdict. The debrief was complimentary
with only two or three “finer points” raised. A reminder
to stay within speed limits as, while there was no “major breach”
that would signal failure, there was an “occasional lapse”
which saw me a mile or two above the legal speed; a reminder to avoid
puddles on country lanes as there could be a pothole beneath which
could upset the balance of the car, a gentle reminder not to overlap
braking and gear changes and “tyres and tarmac” –
a reference not to get so close to the vehicle in front when in a
queue of traffic that I couldn’t see both the tyres of the vehicle
ahead and a small stretch of the road surface immediately in front
of me.
The drive, said Mike, was “nice and smooth” with the “right
gears selected for the driving conditions”. I had made “good
driving progress” and kept my distance in stationary traffic.
Overall, there were “many more pluses than minuses,” said
Mike, who added: “A couple of things need polishing up, but
they are not dangerous in any way.” I had passed and thus became
one of the 10,000 people who will have taken the advanced driving
test this year and among the elite 85% who passed. As we went our
separate ways I headed north with a recommendation for membership
of the Institute of Advanced Motorists in my pocket and the knowledge
that statistics reveal that I should have a 25% lower accident rate
than candidates who fail the test, and a 50-70% better record than
the average driver.
| Going for gold with RoSPA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
also offers an advanced driving test that lasts for one and
a half hours, and is conducted on all types of roads by RoSPA
examiners. RoSPA describes its technique, which is based on
Roadcraft – the police driver’s handbook –
as “a safe, thoughtful and methodical way of driving”.
It says that advanced drivers are more observant and better
at anticipating changes in surrounding conditions. As a result,
they are better able to plan their driving to deal with any
circumstances. The RoSPA Advanced Drivers’ Association
(RoADA) is a section of RoSPA, one of the foremost safety
advisory and training organisations in the world. Local groups
have been formed to offer free training, support and advice
to anyone who wants to improve their driving and to prepare
for and pass the advanced driving test.
The volunteer members of the local groups have all passed
the advanced test and have been trained to pass on their knowledge
to others. Groups often work closely with police advanced
drivers and instructors to ensure that the standards outlined
in Roadcraft are maintained. Before taking the test, drivers
are expected to have studied the current editions of the Highway
Code and Roadcraft. It is unlikely that anyone will gain a
high grade without a good knowledge of the Highway Code and
Roadcraft, says the organisation. A spokeswoman says: “Without
a good knowledge of both, drivers are unlikely to obtain a
high grade in the test. Drivers would be unwise to apply for
an advanced test unless they have had some additional training
since passing their L-test.” The RoSPA advanced driving
test is monitored and approved by the Driving Standards Agency.
Advanced test passes are graded gold, silver and bronze and
RoSPA gold is the highest civilian driving standard available.
- Gold – will only be awarded to a driver who displays
a complete understanding and appropriate application of
the principles outlined in Roadcraft. With all this in place,
the gold standard driver will be able to make unobtrusive,
planned, polished progress consistent with safety and the
law. The candidate will display a confidence and ability
throughout the whole test. The candidate’s performance
must be consistent throughout the whole of the test.
- Silver – is awarded to drivers who are well above
average. These drivers will drive consistently safely and
systematically, but without the final polish, flair and
smoothness of the gold driver. They will demonstrate a thorough
knowledge of the system of car control. Candidates must
be able to drive up to the permitted speed limit where it
is safe to do so, and vary speed according to circumstances
and conditions.
- Bronze – is awarded to those whose driving performance
is significantly above the standard required to pass the
L-test. These drivers will show a basic knowledge of Roadcraft,
but lack the ability to apply the system consistently throughout
the test. The drive should be entirely safe, observing traffic
signs, responding correctly to hazards and should display
advanced driving techniques.
After the test, the examiner will comment on the candidate’s
weaknesses and give advice and suggestions on how to improve.
Candidates who fall below the minimum pass will fail. Drivers
will fail if they display potentially dangerous faults, persistently
infringe speed limits, and commit violations of Road Traffic
Law or the rules contained in the Highway Code. If candidates
fail to reach the pass standard, the examiner will offer advice
on improvement and encourage further training or guidance
from a local group. Candidates who fail to achieve a grade
can take one further test free of charge. The examiner will
discuss a candidate’s performance at the end of the
test and subsequently a detailed written report on all aspects
of the drive or ride will be sent to the candidate or, if
appropriate, to the employer.
In order to maintain this high standard, members must take
a refresher test every three years. This, says RoSPA, ensures
that risk remains low throughout a driving lifetime. Members
pay an annual £17.50 subscription. Although corporate
drivers take the RoSPA advanced driving test the organisation
was unable to give details of candidate numbers and pass rates.
For information about the RoSPA advanced
driving test, contact Mirlinda Rae at RoADA headquarters on
0121 248 2099 or visit the driver and fleet solutions section
of the RoSPA website at www.rospa.com
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