Mark Farnworth Two issues need to be addressed: 1) moving through lights at a ‘safe’ speed2) being in a gear which allows good control of speed with the accelerator pedal Consider the scenario in which you are on a dual carriageway, travelling at 70 mph, approaching traffic lights a quarter of a mile ahead. They have just … Read more
A busy town centre during the day or evening is fraught with danger from all sides. Rarely do we get the chance to get up to the 30 m.p.h. speed limit. Pedestrians, parked vehicles, taxi-ranks, buses, vehicles loading and unloading and road works are some of the hazards we have to contend with. By using … Read more
If properly working, the handbrake ensures that a vehicle does not move of its own accord once it has been stopped. As advanced drivers, we seek to minimise as much as possible any risk to ourselves or our vehicles and so the handbrake is a useful tool in our armoury. It can be used to … Read more
This article is a summary of an article produced by the IAM RoadSmart on automatic gearboxes. P – Park – Must never be engaged while the vehicle is in motion as it locks the transmission and prevents the car from moving. R – Reverse N – Neutral DRIVE – AUTOMATIC USE of First, Second, Third and Fourth gears. 3 – AUTOMATIC USE … Read more
This article is a summary of an article produced by the IAM RoadSmart on automatic gearboxes. P – Park – Must never be engaged while the vehicle is in motion as it locks the transmission and prevents the car from moving. R – Reverse N – Neutral DRIVE – AUTOMATIC USE of First, Second, Third and Fourth gears. 3 – AUTOMATIC USE … Read more
The ‘System’ is a systematic method of driving which, if used correctly, will substantially reduce the risk of a driver being the cause of an accident. A detailed explanation of the System is given in Roadcraft, the police driver’s manual, and it is to this book you must refer if you want a thorough understanding. … Read more
Spoken Thought or Commentary as some would call it, is enough to make an Associate’s hair curl and their palms sweat. Some potential test candidates feel that this is a vital part of the test. It isn’t. In fact it isn’t even compulsory! Having said this, for those aspiring to get an IAM F1rst (Associates … Read more
Judge precedence by road markings and the position/movement of vehicles. Give precedance by the speed and position of your vehicle’. Fair enough, but what about headlamp flashing? I hear you ask…. Scenario: You approach an unmarked crossroads and see another vehicle approaching the same junction from your right. You see the headlamps of the vehicle … Read more
This is probably the most dangerous manoeuver that we do as drivers. Three conditions need to be met before overtaking: The decision to overtake is NOT made the moment of arrival behind a slower moving vehicle in front. Rather, the decision is made much earlier when the driver sees the vehicle ahead for the first … Read more
Observation: A basic skill of advanced driving. Good powers of observation demand practice, concentration and thought. Your eyesight should conform to the legal minimum (the ability to read a number plate at 20.5m (67ft) and you should know at a glance what any road traffic sign is telling you and react if necessary. Dropping further back … Read more
