From my notes as young cop at Hendon ...
I would say that our cyclist pals may find this useful as well - as we covered this same stuff in a recent Plod Bicycle training course where we all really
learned how to ride a bicycle - even though we all thought we could before we started! If people wish - I will place some tips specifically for the benefit of the cyclists amongst us so that they can really get more out of a cycling commute. Perhaps even encourage our Paul to ride a bike!
This is related to the lizard brain thread in part as well!
We were told that planning is either conscious or subconscious. Subconscious planning comes form experience . But we cannot improve our planning skills unless we make a conscious effort.
The planning skill (which I would say forms the the Space/Time of COAST) can only develop alongside a safety-led attitude, increased awareness, evaluation and keenly priorities observation and anticipation skills.
This was into week three of the training - and we were told to reassess a drive (in the recent bike course - a bike ride (and half the guys looked blank at this one!
)) where we rushed headlong into a situation and reacted at the last minute. This was supposed to make us understand that you are supposed to concentrate, observe, anticipate and make a decision in good time.
As your planning improves - you begin to appreciate itsimportance to you. You work out calmly what is likely to happen and plan accordingly - and you always find you need more than one plan at any one time. You are always looking at the "what if" or "AHA" factor.
As part of any tightened condition, your right foot should be off the throttle in any tightening condition and hovering over the brake. You thus enhance the safety margin. You can lop 5 car lengths off the 9 at 40 mph (despite the stats
) if you COAST properly!
Planning makes the ride smoother for you and your passengers (and makes a bike ride in traffic less stressful
) It menas you rarely get caught out by parked cars, cyclists (however they decide to dress!
)
On the motorways - poor planning is why so many end up closing in on slower vehicles and ending up braking hard or annoying another on the last minute lane change. COAST drivers would observe the diver earlier, plan the overtake in a timely, smoothe and straightforward fashion.
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To illustrate - and for the cyclists - shall try to include a normal scenario for them.
You are on a road approaching crossorads. A car waits in a minor road to your left and the right is clear. You are also approaching bollards and the road is narrowing a little and a well clad cyclist is ahead of you (so you ain't no excuses!
). Experience should warn you that the bollards do not give you enough space to pass the cyclist - and that given your lower speed and despite both driver and cyclsit's priorities the car may pull out in front of you. You have to plan for the safe passage through the crossorads, a possible right hand turn at the crossroads on the part of the cyclist and any evasive action should the cyclsit make his move suddenly and should the car ahead pull out.
You also have another numpty behind you!
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That is the situation - and a situation we were split into pairs to discuss in the classroom situation bit of this course - novel stuff: I was 24 at the time and 50 now!
How would you plan for this hazard - bearing in mind you only have tow seconds or less to react and plan your way out?
What are the things you would consider first?
How would the driver/biker enhance his safety margin?
How would the cyclist enhance their safety margin in this situation?
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