Advanced driving course?

[ALFAitalia]

Nope......there was a time when I was a bit of a bike track day addict....and I raced my completely street legal GSXR1100L in the 90s a total of twice in Super stocks....but because I was on stock bike against modified bikes I finished last and second to last!

 

[Stevie1982]

Can anyone recommend an advanced/tactical/defensive driving course?

I’ve found the IAM road smart charity that can provide the lessons and the test that’s recognised by the DVSA. But aside from that there’s a load of other companies, with some seemingly aimed at security guards/businesses.

But is there anything better out there? Perhaps putting my money in some ‘race’ driving lessons instead (london rally school)?

My interest is more defensive driving, than any impact on insurance etc…

Happy to spend time and money on the correct course. London based or nearby best.

Roadcraft is not just police it's emergency service as a whole. Some struggle with it some don't. It's a two to three week course in the police which you have to pass the end of the week to go through to the next week. The first couple of days with the instructor really show you up for the "bad habits" and some just can't grasp the concept. Most people enter a junction/roundabout too fast as they are preparing to go, not preparing to stop. Roadcraft teaches you to set the car prior by breaking it down to speed, gear, position, all dealt with individually, the car is then centred and balanced, before some force is used either acceleration or brake to keep the car "driven" to keep grip, once the road opens up you make progress. If the road is coming in on you you're going to fast if its moving away it's time to get on the loud pedal. There's loads more to it, distances other Road users etc etc yet once you get it, you'll not look back, you'll also start pooping yourself while as a passenger when someone is driving like they're on a race track on the road.

 

[Merc59]

ROSPA also do an advanced driving course under RoadAR which I did a few years ago and found it very useful and informative.
They have 3 levels of achievement Bronze, Silver and Gold and you have to retake a test every few years to retain it.
I achieved Gold and have to say I learnt a lot on defensive driving, and making ground (progress) as they call it.
Look up their website and see what it entails

 

[BTB 500]

I forget the details but they also explain what must have happened to get SLOW painted on the road, chevrons and other warnings, and other road safety measures. Usually different combinations of accidents, injuries and fatalities, result in different measures being taken. That stuff is there because something awful has happened.

This is covered on speed awareness courses too. Allegedly

 

[Tonye]

speed awareness courses too

Been there, done that.
Bit of a joke really as they just us a set speal from a book most of the time. Im an ex fire appliance driver as some of you know and had to go on one a couple of years ago, they ran a video of a car travelling through a town and you had to identify the hazards as you progressed, most people scored 6,7,or 8, i got 13 and the guy pointed out that there was only 12, i disagreed so he said we will run it again and you can point them out, so i did, all 13, he said he didn't no about the one at the very end just as the film stopped with the car halfway through a right-hand turn with a blind bend 50yards away. Tort me nowt. I did my very advanced course some 30 years ago, you never forget once it all clicks.

 

[adm]

RosPA and IAM both do good advanced courses. Both are based around the RoadCraft framework. So probably best to talk to your local IAM and RoSPA groups and just see which ones you gel with best.

IAM also offer "Skills Days" at tracks up and down the country, which are excellent for putting the RoadCraft system into practice in a safe and closed environment.

I have done IAM on my motorbike. I passed with a "1st". I have also done well quite a lot of additional 1:1 training with Police motorcyclists (current and ex-job). If you are a biker into more training, check out "Rapid Training" as they are brilliant.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to observation, anticipation and planning. As you embed the system into your mind, you will find that your better observation brings you more time to plan, which in turn makes you smoother and faster.

 

[AnnasMerc83]

Roadcraft is not just police it's emergency service as a whole. Some struggle with it some don't. It's a two to three week course in the police which you have to pass the end of the week to go through to the next week. The first couple of days with the instructor really show you up for the "bad habits" and some just can't grasp the concept. Most people enter a junction/roundabout too fast as they are preparing to go, not preparing to stop. Roadcraft teaches you to set the car prior by breaking it down to speed, gear, position, all dealt with individually, the car is then centred and balanced, before some force is used either acceleration or brake to keep the car "driven" to keep grip, once the road opens up you make progress. If the road is coming in on you you're going to fast if its moving away it's time to get on the loud pedal. There's loads more to it, distances other Road users etc etc yet once you get it, you'll not look back, you'll also start pooping yourself while as a passenger when someone is driving like they're on a race track on the road.

I already hate being a passenger, especially with my other half!

 

[Stevie1982]

I already hate being a passenger, especially with my other half!

Ha! I know the feeling oh to well. Needless to say I pretty much drive us everywhere

 

[TC350]

Been there, done that.
Bit of a joke really as they just us a set speal from a book most of the time. Im an ex fire appliance driver as some of you know and had to go on one a couple of years ago, they ran a video of a car travelling through a town and you had to identify the hazards as you progressed, most people scored 6,7,or 8, i got 13 and the guy pointed out that there was only 12, i disagreed so he said we will run it again and you can point them out, so i did, all 13, he said he didn't no about the one at the very end just as the film stopped with the car halfway through a right-hand turn with a blind bend 50yards away. Tort me nowt. I did my very advanced course some 30 years ago, you never forget once it all clicks.

Yet you still got caught speeding!

 

[Tonye]

Yet you still got caught speeding!

Yep, 33 and flash

 

[BTB 500]

Yep, 33 and flash

Fixed camera? Unlucky if so as they're normally set to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) recommended enforcement threshold of 10% + 2 mph over the posted limit, so 35 in a 30 zone. The previous ACPO guideline was to issue a fixed penalty at 10% + 3 mph i.e. 36 mph.

 

[ALFAitalia]

33?....that's unfortunate....never heard of anyone getting nicked at such a low speed.

 

[Jukie]

My mum was once "done" by a fixed camera on the A6 at Preston doing 31.........

 

[ALFAitalia]

WOW.....I think if she had challenged that and sensible magistrate would have let her off....speedo tolerance is more than that....although they have to over rather than under read ....but even so. I know the Welsh police were operating a zero tolerance speeding policy for a while.....but only against bikers which seemed a little unfair!!!! To avoid doing 31 you would need to use cruise control (not practical in a built up areas).....or be looking at your speedo more than the road!!!

 

[Tonye]

getting nicked at such a low speed

I was in a truck at the time so i think that made the difference.

 

[JHS]

33?....that's unfortunate....never heard of anyone getting nicked at such a low speed.

(Holds hand up) "Please sir!

 

[Fastcar155]

WOW.....I think if she had challenged that and sensible magistrate would have let her off....speedo tolerance is more than that....although they have to over rather than under read ....but even so. I know the Welsh police were operating a zero tolerance speeding policy for a while.....but only against bikers which seemed a little unfair!!!! To avoid doing 31 you would need to use cruise control (not practical in a built up areas).....or be looking at your speedo more than the road!!!

Hi many years ago I was in North Wales on business and I saw a policeman crawling through the undergrowth to find an advantageous position to be able to use his radar speed gun. From memory a zero tolerance basis was used in prosecution of the motorist.

 

[Merc59]

Or set the speed limiter if you have one, saved me many a time, lets you concentrate on the road especially if you are in unfamiliar territory

 

[Merc59]

We have a single 30mph fixed speed camera in Hereford on the A465 Belmont Road, you would not believe the number of locals that have been caught over the 30mph limit

 

[Doodle]

Hi many years ago I was in North Wales on business and I saw a policeman crawling through the undergrowth to find an advantageous position to be able to use his radar speed gun. From memory a zero tolerance basis was used in prosecution of the motorist.

I expect that would have been during the days of Richard Brunstrom, the Heinrich Himmler of highways policing.