Advanced driving
REF•1
Many people see the words 'advanced
driving' and believe that it won't interest them
or that it is a style of driving beyond their own
abilities. Nothing could be further from the
truth. Advanced driving is straightforward
safe, sensible driving - the sort of driving we
should all do every time we get behind the
wheel.
An average of 10 people are killed every day
on UK roads and 870 more are injured, some
seriously. Lives are ruined daily, usually
because somebody did something stupid.
Something like 95% of all accidents are due
to human error, mostly driver failure.
Sometimes we make genuine mistakes -
everyone does. Sometimes we have lapses of
concentration. Sometimes we deliberately
take risks.
For many people, the process of 'learning to
drive' doesn't go much further than learning
how to pass the driving test because of a
common belief that good drivers are made by
'experience'.
Learning to drive by 'experience' teaches
three driving skills:
• Quick reactions. (Whoops, that was
close!)
• Good handling skills. (Horn, swerve,
brake, horn).
• Reliance on vehicle technology. (Great
stuff this ABS, stop in no distance even in
the wet...)
Drivers whose skills are 'experience based'
generally have a lot of near misses and the
odd accident. The results can be seen every
day in our courts and our hospital casualty
departments.
Advanced drivers have learnt to control the
risks by controlling the position and speed of
their vehicle. They avoid accidents and near
misses, even if the drivers around them make
mistakes.
The key skills of advanced driving are
concentration, effective all-round
observation, anticipation and planning.
When good vehicle handling is added to
these skills, all driving situations can be
approached and negotiated in a safe,
methodical way, leaving nothing to chance.
Concentration means applying your mind to
safe driving, completely excluding anything
that's not relevant. Driving is usually the most
dangerous activity that most of us undertake
in our daily routines. It deserves our full
attention.
Observation means not just looking, but
seeing and seeking out the information found
in the driving environment.
Anticipation means asking yourself what is
happening, what you can reasonably expect
to happen and what could happen
unexpectedly. (One of the commonest words
used in compiling accident reports is
'suddenly'.)
Planning is the link between seeing
something and taking the appropriate
action. For many drivers, planning is the
missing link.
If you want to become a safer and more skilful
driver and you want to enjoy your driving
more, contact the Institute of Advanced
Motorists on 0208 994 4403 or write to IAM
House, Chiswick High Road, London W4 4HS
for an information pack.