Institute of Advanced Motorists

[SimonR]

I enrolled on the IAM course last year in an effort to better my driving (which I thougth was pretty good anyway) - it was especially important I thought because I'd just bought a much more powerful rear wheel drive car, and the series of articles in the JEC magazine also inspired me.

I had my first observation session this morning.

MY GOD! I didn't realise how many bad habbits I have... Or in fact how much to it there is. Some things feel so unnatural - such as not overlapping braking and gearchanging but when it's explained that it takes the strain off the transmission and clutch, and also allows you to keep both hands on the wheel during a condition where you make it more likely to skid, it does make sense. Apparently my observation is also pretty awful when it somes to traffic signs, as is my road positioning...

I also realised that I actually don't really know how to drive at 70mph on a motorway - my usual strategy is to cruise at the same speed (or faster) as everyone else in the outside lane but apparently this is not acceptable . It's amazing how slow 70 seems.

I am slightly concerned that the IAM seem slightly to be paying lip service to the trend towards more and more unnecessary Health and Safety guidelines. I was criticised for cornering/accellerating too quickly and the whole thing about skidding while breaking, even when only going at about 30mph perhaps seems a bit excessive. I mean if these people could only understand how well designed the XJ-S rear suspension is and how grippy the Pirelli P600s are....!

Still, over all it was a very positive experience, next session in two weeks to give me time to practise.

Is anyone else here a member? - I hope this gets easier!

[poprivet]

Good on you Simon, anyone who makes the effort to improve their knowledge gets my approval. As well as enjoying the xj-s I have been a keen motorcyclist for many years which certainly increases your observation and road skills as it seems that almost everyone on the roads is out to kill you.
Another good day out is at a skidpan, I've been a couple of times to the one at Thruxton. Its much easier to learn how to control a slide with cadence (sp?) braking in a controlled environment then whilst approaching a 40 ton lorry head-on on a frosty night
Pop

[JulesJag]

Hi Simon,

Well done for wanting to raise your standard of driving.

On 27th April I took and again passed the Driving Standards Agency's (DSA) advanced driving test, as part of the process for becoming a driving instructor. It's pretty gruelling, so I know EXACTLY what you're going through.

I first took and passed it back in 2004. When I first started the course I thought my driving was fine, but I still had to work very hard to get myself driving how they wanted me to. You have to get to a stage where it's become second nature, as you probably won't be able to 'act' for the whole length of the test.

Make notes of your faults after each IAM training session and keep going out practising and analysing your driving over a variety of road-types. Look well ahead and plan. Re-read the Highway Code.

All the best and keep us posted on developments,
Julian

[ng4xjs]

Pop's observation is a good one. I too was a keen motor cyclist and the experience certainly encourages good road sense (COAT). To my mind every driver should be required to undergo motor cycle training before progressing to four wheels (obvious exceptions excepted of course) as a way of going some way to achieving this this.

Nick

[Hosier77]

I definately agree on the motorcycle front, maybe we can lobby somone to make it compulsory to do a few years on a bike before going to cars.
Its interesting to note the coments on 'how slow 70 seems' and about driving at 30, one of the great problems with cars is that high speeds seems so sedate, but the laws of physics are the same for all vehicles. Yes the Jaguar will perform better than many other cars but not by an order of magnitude. At 30 mph i think you cover about 15 yards each seccond, if it takes you only a second to see a child run out infront of you and react and stop, you will still have traveled five car lengths in 1.7 tons of metal! Its not as slow as it seems.
Its very good to see people taking the time to improve themselves, I have had the privilage of having some police training it it was amazing how little I knew, and indeed how much I thought I did!
Keep up the good work.

[SimonR]

Hi again all, I've not ben around these parts for a while, but I have good news!

This evening I took and passed the IAM Advanced Driving Test! I had 7 lessons in total since May and was quite amazed by how much there was to learn.

The XJS did its level best to put a spanner in the works though: aside from the park brake warning light that never goes out any more and a intermittantly noisy NSF wheel bearing, during my last observation on Sunday, as I was returning my observer to his house the sound of whooshing air became much louder and performance dropped drastically.

I thought it was that the under-bonnet temperature had risen enough to make the viscous coupling lock and turn the fan to cool the engine. However, after a brief discussion with GlennH today at work it turns out that I had misunderstood the purpose of a VC and mine was actually screwed.

Lucky I had a replacement, and a First-Class manager who is sympathetic to the plight of the XJ-S owner (being one himself ) so after about 40 minutes in the car park at work this afternoon my S was purring again instead of whooshing.

The IAM examiner was impressed with the car and commented that he thought I was changing up to 5th too quickly until he saw how much grunt it had, and I think I surprised him with its performance between 30 and 60, too. Amazingly he said that he thought I was driving fairly slowly, but then I *was* on my best behaviour.

I can't wait to see if the insurance premium drops next year!

Cheers all, SimonR.

[JulesJag]

Hi Simon,

Congratulations on passing the IAM test, and in a car like the XJ-S. Not your average driving test car

I passed my ADI Part 2 advanced driving test for the second time back in April (as part of the qualifying process to become a driving instructor).
I therefore know what you've been through. Quite an achievement! I took mine in a 2.0 Mondeo, so I had to adapt after using a little 1.2 Corsa.

Well done,
Julian

[scotty]

Yes congrats at passing , very worthwhile . I got chinned recently to become an examiner for the institute , still not sure if I will .
Its unlikely you will get much/any discount re insurance but worth a go . The main thing is you will be more aware of possible hazzards and dangers and as such take pride ,you will probably be a safer driver , but do not rest on your laurels , as they say - "every day is a school day"