TC350
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- May 19, 2023
- Messages
- 1,718
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
- Car
- C350 Sport saloon. Previously CLK230K and E260 saloon. 25 years Mercedes ownership.
In the mid 70s I did a week long ambulance driving course where I learnt all about road positioning for optimum views ahead. My company was in a relatively remote area and several of the activities carried out on site were such that there were potential serious injury risks. It was considered that the time taken for an ambulance to travel to the site from the nearest hospital could possibly make the difference between life and death, so we bought our own ambulance and a few of us were trained up to drive it.I share the frustrations of many on both sides here, I despise tail-gating - my car is a magnet for this kind of behaviour (i.e usually male drives who think they can 'have a go' at the AMG), but I also take issue with well below limit driving on fast roads (not talking about any built-up urban areas here). I like to make fair progress, brisk/fast when the mood takes me and it seems that there are many drivers out there who object to that, purely because they want to be judge, jury and executiioner.
I've been taught to use ALL the road (there is no 'wrong' side) when fast road driving, particularly when planning and executing overtakes - this is where some people get very upset. I suppose they see a black Merc in their three quarter view, partially or fully over the white line on the other side and think 'tw*t', when in reality, all i'm trying to do is get a clear view of the road ahead, before passing. I've lost count of the amount of times i've been gestured at, threatened, flashed and then tailgated by said driver after passing - all for trying to drive safely and reduce my T.E.D.
But sadly not everyone see's it that way.
The vast majority of the route between the site and the hospital was winding country roads, and it was obviously important to get there as fast and as smoothly as possible. Initially, being told to use all the road from kerb to kerb felt wrong. Our instructor said that we'd be regarded as idiots by most people who saw us moving over to the far right of the road when approaching a bend to the left, but not to let that concern us. The vastly increased view allowed faster and safer progress. Obviously, this could only be done where legal - so no crossing solid white lines.
It works the other way too. Hugging the left edge of the road on approach improves the view of bends to the right, and sets up a better line to take the bend rather than the all too common corner cutting we see every day.
A multitude of other techniques help to make progress fast, smooth and safe on country roads. A glance down at the sat nav can give a good idea of the frequency, extent and severity of upcoming bends, but looking ahead at tree lines also provides valuable information for planning speed and approach.
Putting into practice the skills I learnt on that course, together with other things picked up over the years (including on various other courses), results in me enjoying the driving I do all over the world. By thinking about what I'm doing I can still appreciate the scenery while giving my passengers a smooth ride and without inconveniencing anyone else.
(The best lesson on smooth driving was during the ambulance driving course. Each of us took it in turns to lie on the gurney in the back whilst another student drove "normally". It's terrifying.)