Advanced Driving
What is Advanced Driving?
"Advanced" driving is the ability to control the position and speed of the vehicle safely, systematically and smoothly, using road and traffic conditions to make reasonable progress unobtrusively, with skill and responsibility. This skill requires a positive but courteous attitude and high standard of driving competence based on concentration, effective all round observation, anticipation and planning. All this must be coordinated with good handling skills. The vehicle will always be at the right place on the road at the right time, travelling at the right speed with the correct gear engaged and can always be stopped safely in the distance that can be seen to be clear.
The Principles of Advanced Driving
- Do you concentrate and avoid distractions?
- Do you read the road and anticipate potential hazards in good time?
- Do you always react to hazards early enough and do you deal with them in a planned and systematic way?
- Do you use mirrors and all round observation links effectively before changing speed or position, and do you give the appropriate signals in time when they would benefit other road users?
- Do you drive with reasonable restraint, but not indecision?
- Is your judgement of speeds and distances always accurate?
- Do you drive with courtesy and consideration for other road users, including pedestrians?
Advanced Driving Handling Skills
- Do you steer the vehicle safely and effectively?
- Do you brake smoothly and progressively?
- Are all your gear changes made at the right time and at the right speed?
- Do you use acceleration sense?
- Do you use the controls with finesse and sensitivity?
Advanced Driving Skills on the Road
- Where conditions permit, do you maintain a safe and sensible level of progress?
- Do you anticipate and react correctly to situations that develop ahead?
- Do you adopt the correct road position and maintain the right distance from other vehicles?
- Do you approach all signs, signals and road markings correctly and obey them?
- Do you overtake smoothly, decisively and safely?
- Do you exercise proper restraint and sensitivity of control when roads are slippery or visibility is reduced?
- Do you carry out parking and reversing manoeuvres safely, smoothly and competently and with all round observation?
Why not think about taking a Skill for Life course with the IAM? To find out how to improve your driving skills, please contact us. We'd love to see you on a Tuesday night at Ayr Fire Station.