Driving Standards

[Eric]

Since passing my Advanced Driving Test with the IAM last year, one thing has become painfully obvious; driving standards in the UK are generally rubbish.  Here's my checklist of very common problems that I've noticed...

 

- Sitting in traffic queues with their right foot firmly planted on the brake pedal, dazzling (or some cases, half blinding) the car behind.  Next time you're sat in a queue, in the dark, just count how many of the cars ahead have their brake lights on - you'll be amazed.

 

- High intensity rear lights turned on (and left on) at the slightest hint of mist or fog.  How many times have you been blinded by the numpty ahead who leaves the thing turned on no matter what?

 

- Aggressive driving.  How many times have you been driving in a well spaced procession of cars, only to be threatened by some dick head driving a few inches from your back bumper, apparently thinking that this behaviour will suddenly make both you, and all of the the cars in front, go faster?

 

- Not signalling, especially on roundabouts and pulling out to overtake.  These guys seem to assume that we're all psychic and can read their minds.  Not that you should ever totally trust anyone else's signalling, but it does help a little with forward planning.

 

- Driving well below the speed limit.  It seems that there are an increasing number of folks out there who think that 10 to 20 mph below the national speed limit on major A and B roads is perfectly reasonable, no matter how huge the queue gets behind them.

 

- I won't even mention lane discipline (the middle lane motorway robots).  Take a look at their eyes the next time you pass one - they are open but Mr Brain has long since gone on holiday.  Ok, I've mentioned it now.

 

 

The IAM does a good job of promoting better, safer driving and, although I don't entirely agree with all of their methods (the arm shuffle, for example), they do encourage progressive driving, which means forward planning, anticipation, and communication (IPSGA).  Put all these together and you'll get to your destination quicker and very much more safely than the more common "brain out" driving style adopted by the masses.

 

So, if your other half is stuck for what to buy the man who has everything (well, a Lotus anyway), I'd encourage you to drop a few hints for a Skill For Life package from the IAM.  It's a cracking package where you'll join a local group and get six fortnightly (full morning each) training sessions consisting of classroom and driving with a qualified IAM Observer.  I passed first time after the course so they must be doing something right .

 

Rant over (for now at least).

[DeanB]

The thing that bugs me the most at the moment is the huge number of people who when exiting roundabouts on to dual carriageways do so in to the outside lane, even though there is nothing in the inside lane. I don't know why.

They get right under my feet.

[MSH]

I've done a similar but shorter driving course with a ROSPA and DSA approved instructor. We focused on a progressive yet defensive drive. It has completely changed the way I drive on road, making me a much safer but also quicker driver.

One of the main things I took from the day was not allowing another driver to affect my mindset, regardless of the way they were driving, obvious mistakes, lack of consideration or aggression in their drive. Once I accepted I couldn't control them but I could control my own drive it changed the dynamic of a situation, making it more benign. This all sounds a bit sanctimonious, I know, but it's worked for me.

[Eric]

I've done a similar but shorter driving course with a ROSPA and DSA approved instructor. We focused on a progressive yet defensive drive. It has completely changed the way I drive on road, making me a much safer but also quicker driver.

One of the main things I took from the day was not allowing another driver to affect my mindset, regardless of the way they were driving, obvious mistakes, lack of consideration or aggression in their drive. Once I accepted I couldn't control them but I could control my own drive it changed the dynamic of a situation, making it more benign. This all sounds a bit sanctimonious, I know, but it's worked for me.

 

Good man - I also did a similar one day course with ROSPA many years ago.  One of the hardest things I found to master then was giving a running commentary to the instructor whilst driving.  Being plunged straight in didn't help though.

 

That particular skill takes practice (lots of practice) but eventually it can become quite fun.  I even elected gave a continuous commentary during the IAM test - blimey, glutten for punishment or what?

[fentuz]

- Sitting in traffic queues with their right foot firmly planted on the brake pedal, dazzling (or some cases, half blinding) the car behind.  Next time you're sat in a queue, in the dark, just count how many of the cars ahead have their brake lights on - you'll be amazed.

 

 

I think you will find out it depends where people learnt to drive. My mother learnt in Germany and she keeps her foot on the brake when stationary. I do the same as it is what you are tough in France.

The rationale is down to  the rule  "you should be in control of the vehicle when sitting behind the wheel". well the brake pedal will keep the car stationary better than the hand brake.

[russelld]

It is a good point that Bill makes about using the footbrake when stationary. On modern cars with electric hand brakes which auto release when the accelerator is touched is it not safer to use the foot brake ? If your foot is on the brake it can not touch the accelerator !

 

The awareness and observation techniques taught by the advanced motorists groups do make you a safer driver but I struggle to understand the benefits of some of the other techniques they advocate.

 

Pull push steering is labourious and slow compared to rotational steering for one but the main thing I can not get my head around is that selecting a lower gear while you are braking is a definite no no   I am sure you are in better control of a car when you need to accelerate after braking if you are in the correct gear !

[kieranexige]

It is a good point that Bill makes about using the footbrake when stationary. On modern cars with electric hand brakes which auto release when the accelerator is touched is it not safer to use the foot brake ? If your foot is on the brake it can not touch the accelerator !

 

The awareness and observation techniques taught by the advanced motorists groups do make you a safer driver but I struggle to understand the benefits of some of the other techniques they advocate.

 

Pull push steering is labourious and slow compared to rotational steering for one but the main thing I can not get my head around is that selecting a lower gear while you are braking is a definite no no   I am sure you are in better control of a car when you need to accelerate after braking if you are in the correct gear !

 

That's the biggest problem I find. I hate leaving the brake lights on as nowadays they are so bright.

 

My new company car has the electronic handbrake and what a faff it its to stop start using it.

 

It has a auto hold function which I thought would alleviate the brake lights problem when stationary, but unfortunately when its on and the car is stationary it holds the brakes and leave the lights on!!!

[rocketian]

I did my IAM test about 10 years ago - probably should do it again now.  Well worth doing.

 

Regarding the Push Pull steering debate.  IAM teach you to keep both hands on the wheel as much as possible. I know this is a novel concept as most drivers seem to have the right hand at 11 O'clock and the left one on the gear stick.  Push/Pull is a natural consequence of keeping both hands on the wheel.  However, they also say "In certain circumstances, for example during skidding or very slow or high speed manoeuvres, it may be advantageous to use a different technique" such as rotational steering.

 

As for gear changing under braking,  I think the IAM instructors over play this issue - the guidance is that you only select a gear when you are about to use it, that way you don't have to let go of the wheel during braking to make unnecessary gear changes.  A gear change/braking overlap is permitted - but you should avoid late braking and snatched changes.  Important thing is that gear changes should be planned.

 

The Police Driver's Handbook "Roadcraft" comes with the IAM course and is well worth spending some time with.

 

There are lots of very useful techniques and info in the IAM Course - and you often get insurance discount.

 

Who knows what the pattern of cats eyes mean ?  There are 3 different patterns.  One cats eye every gap in the white lines, one every other gap and cats eyes at half the gap of the others.

[Eric]

I think you will find out it depends where people learnt to drive. My mother learnt in Germany and she keeps her foot on the brake when stationary. I do the same as it is what you are tough in France.

The rationale is down to  the rule  "you should be in control of the vehicle when sitting behind the wheel". well the brake pedal will keep the car stationary better than the hand brake.

 

With respect I'd say that if the handbrake doesn't hold the car in all circumstances (i.e. hills) then the car itself is not roadworthy.  I sincerely hope that you are not defending defective handbrakes!!

 

The worst examples of this are drivers who sit in queues on the FLAT with that foot habitually planted on the foot brake.  Why?  I have no idea but it just looks like simple "brain switched off", lazy driving.  And there's a lot of it about unfortunately.

[Alex B]

With respect I'd say that if the handbrake doesn't hold the car in all circumstances (i.e. hills) then the car itself is not roadworthy. I sincerely hope that you are not defending defective handbrakes!!

 

The worst examples of this are drivers who sit in queues on the FLAT with that foot habitually planted on the foot brake. Why? I have no idea but it just looks like simple "brain switched off", lazy driving. And there's a lot of it about unfortunately.

I think what Bill means is if you happen to get shunted the foot brake is going to do more than the handbrake.

Not implying that his brakes are defective, bearing in mind that the handbrake uses the rear brakes which have very little braking force, so logic to me would say the foot brake is better.

[@ndy]

I'm sorry to say I hold my foot on the brake when in traffic in my daily driver as its an auto and it's a lazy way of driving, If I can see I'll be there a while I knock it in to park but typically not...  I don't seem to do it in my manual cars thou !

 

I'll keep it in mind from now on, however I've never really found it a problem with car in front of me.

[fentuz]

With respect I'd say that if the handbrake doesn't hold the car in all circumstances (i.e. hills) then the car itself is not roadworthy. I sincerely hope that you are not defending defective handbrakes!!

 

The worst examples of this are drivers who sit in queues on the FLAT with that foot habitually planted on the foot brake. Why? I have no idea but it just looks like simple "brain switched off", lazy driving. And there's a lot of it about unfortunately.

I m not defendive defective handbrakes, just saying people may be tought differently and assess risk differently. Pedal brake applies stopping load on 4 wheels when handbrake does it on two only. It s also advised to leave cars in gear should the handbrake fails

My point is it's about safety and risk assesment...

As Alex implied if somebody crashes into you and may push you into the car in front, are you in control by just applying a hand brake with 20% of the potential braking power?

[MSH]

I'm sorry to say I hold my foot on the brake when in traffic in my daily driver as its an auto and it's a lazy way of driving, If I can see I'll be there a while I knock it in to park but typically not...  I don't seem to do it in my manual cars thou !

 

I'll keep it in mind from now on, however I've never really found it a problem with car in front of me.

I'm inclined to agree with Andy on this issue. I too drive an auto as my daily driver and as such have to use the foot brake to hold it stationary in traffic. But like Andy, if there's a queue then I knock it into P until things start moving.

[Meister]

I would suggest that 90% of 'auto' drivers,myself included, will keep their foot on the brake unless they are going to not move for a considerable amount of time.

Also I just love the use of the expression 'with respect' ! I always smile when someone uses that term.

[KurtB]

In the case of a shunt from the rear of your stationary car, the foot rocks (backwards) off the brake pedal, sending the car lurching forward, FACT! Then you're free wheeling forward, and as you've probably stopped too close to the car in front, both the front and rear of your car are now re-profiled!!!!! USE the handbrake, that's why it's there.

And while we're at it, if you've got hot brakes (after spirited driving) and leave your foot on your brake pedal, you have a massive heat sink through the brake pads and calliper. A good way to warp your discs.

 

Kurt