Safe Speed Forums

As an 'experienced' driver I can now see this and would not use that driving instructor again, but how, as a trainee driver can I judge an instructor's competence?

I also say for debate purposes ...

that we cannot concentrate on "concentrating" - but that this concentration is more "subconscious mind humming in the background" which springs to alert "wake-up" when required?

I once described it as the "loose concentration" which we apply when reading a book or watching a film''s denouement. As in "absorbed to follow the plot" but still alert to others.

... "evaluating and being prepared to learn as constant" is the normal behaviour of an intelligent person. I've been doing it, without the benefit of a cute acronym, for decades not only with driving but in my professional life, in mountaineering, in DIY, in every aspect of my life.

And I'm not boasting. Most of the people I know accept the need to continually evaluate and improve.

While I will admit that Need for Speed also has some value as a driver's training aid, it does not provide the correct attitude environment. Without expensive add-ons, nor can it provide any, much less the proper kinaesthetic information. (Rumble controllers? Bah!)

Personally, I doubt I will allow some schmuck to teach my future child[ren] to drive. Yet I fear that, without actually studying via direct observation, I could not tell you what the average instructor lacks.

So I will ask a very subversive question: Why hasn't the IAM metastasized and simply consumed other lesser forms of driving instruction? [While I ask wistfully and longingly, "Why is advanced driving instruction in Amerika limited to forms of racing?"]

Unfortunately, those who judged your previous driving instructor fit probably licensed him as an instructor, so that's another 800lb gorilla we have to deal


A burning question and I guess more "apathy" and a relief that the ordeal of the driving test is over with.

Yes .. I think we have to address problems in training up ADIs as well.

with ...As a person with obsessive tendencies who has managed to officially drop 'compulsive' from his descriptor without the use of any drugs, I may also be statistically anomalous in the fact that I am actively and consciously concentrating on [concentrating on] driving. The pace I intend to keep and the potential for surprises determine the 'volume' of my level of concentration, while still directing a portion of my attention toward potential 'surprise zones'.

I mention my personal state of statistical anomaly visavis psychological quirk, as I am guessing that, as an officer, your job requires you not only to drive very well, but also to observe and take notes on others' driving quality or lack of same. As a result, your driving has to be nearly as autonomic as a nervous system function.

The only counterargument I have, is that dolphins have to consciously think about breathing; though they do have an autonomic tail kick reflex to keep their blowholes exposed. For me, consciously thinking about what I'm doing - including typing this now - is my tail kick.

Either way, the vast majority do not spend enough time learning about the finer points of driving. That probably leads to haphazard driving instinct which allows for myriad driver errors.

... I'm almost done, I promise ...
I only discovered the acronym nearly four months after I joined this forum. Prior to that, it was all running commentary in my head.

It is much more important to note that, when it comes to driving, there is an active culture out there consciously conspiring against the normal behavior of intelligent people when it comes to driving, to prevent them from improving.

Oh. DCB, it ain't boasting if it can be tested to be true.