Horse wrote:
A Cyclist wrote:
. . .IAM. My first assessed run said it was very safe. . . . my observer. The main conclusion is that I am "too safe" because I am too slow, i.e. not making adequate progress,
I will work on driving up to the speed limit having due regard to the conditions, but still not exceeding it.
Part of the 'problem' is the IAM's expectations, there is a 'test' and to pass you have to fit their criteria, ie 'making progress'.
In Gear can probably elaborate on this?
We look for a lot of different things. Normal test is about 40 miles or so and we go on motorways (if possible), fast dual carriageways, urban raods, narrow country lanes
, residential streets
Basically -- I am looking to see if you can use your car in a steady, brass tacks manner. I do not want slow speeds, fast speed or excessive signalling. I just want normal, practical, matter-of-fact, no nonsense driving.
I want to see evidence of due regard for weather condtions, obesrvation of speed limits (and this means driving in acordance with them and not excessively under nor excessively over. can cope with 2 mph below to 4 mph above.... that is normal driving. I want to see a cruise at the legal limit - nice nrisk no-nonsense driving. I want to check you can park safely, make a hill start without stalling or shaking me to death
I want a nice smooth ride... which will not make me motion sick.
I do not give trick questions (save those for my lads!
) but will check your observation poweres by asking spot questions as to whether you saw the ball beneath the parked car in the residential road or the fence near the play park.
I will look for awareness of driving plans, positioning, smooth cornering, decisive overtaking, reading road ahead and reacting to hazards, judgement of speed and distance, courtesy, ability to drive with restraint, decisiveness, appreciation of COAST or planned system of driving (same thing
), use of mirrors (signal manoeuvre), smooth gear change, correct selection of gears, full use of automatic transmission if this is used, and I will look to see if you coast when stopping or slip or ride the clutch.
I will expect a nice smooth progressive braking, and mirror/signal use as appropriate, correct use of handbrake...
I will expect my IAM candidate to be careful not to obstruct other vehicles by driving too slowly, not to take up incorrect position which impedes other road users and will expect correct reaction to traffic conditions - which means keeping up reasonable pace and progress.
I look for similar signs of competence when doing same with IAM wannabe bikers....
I also expect to see candidates to turn up in nice well maintained, tidy cars as well...
horse wrote:
A Cyclist wrote:
I have just had my first lesson from my observer.
Hope not! To give 'lessons' your Obs would have to be an ADI!
Pedantic point, perhaps, but they shouldn't be
teaching you.
No... they do not teach - but will pass odd comment to point candidate in right direction to improve after a screening. Some IAM groups do have schemes to advise prospective candidates on preparing for the test...varies. Some - like our group - will give some informal workshop sessions and on-the-road advice sessions to help. Others may choose to find a specific ADI to give formal lessons... but it is very possoble for most thoughtful drivers to pass without specific instruction. Depends on how skilled or confident the individual feels.
Think our cyclist mate will benefit from our drop in sessions .. he might even find me leading one
if he is attending my IAM group.
I do not think from looking at his posts on here and on lurk elsewhere
that he has serious faults other than tendency to be underconfident and a bit slower than he should be as result of being perhaps on receiving end from a twazak driver on odd occasions.
We can change that though
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) is perfectly safe and perfectly acceptable. Driving at 20-25 mph is not and will earn you my attention 
) The end result is upsetting following drivers by getting in the way so that's not sensible.
fell victim to a dying driver and a cousin was killed after a defective hit him... my brothers and I became the scourge of the average motorist... we pulled everyone moving at one point in 1991...
Mad Doc was telling me tfrom his recent trip abraod that they have no idea what red as in traffic light means. 
