martine wrote:As many will know, the IAM is trialling a new Advanced test in selected groups.
There is debate about what should and shouldn't be included in the test and what emphasis should be put on certain aspects...things like:
- progress
- overtaking
- low-speed manoeuvres
- cockpit drill
- economy
I'd be interested to know others thoughts - both IAM members and not.
I did the Rospa test a few months ago, and not a member of IAM, but thought I'd contribute anyway.
Progress/Overtaking
Does the requirement to make progress impact on the assessment if potential overtaking opportunities are not taken? I recently took the non-motorway/dual-carriageway route from Essex to North Yorkshire and had only one occasion to overtake, and that was a piece of slow-moving farm machinery. On the occasions when I was in a stream of traffic moving at less than the NSL, I made a policy decision not to be on high alert for overtaking opportunities and felt I had a more relaxed drive because of it. I still kept my eyes on main beam and maintained generous gaps and was as far as I'm able driving as an advanced driver, and I think I'd be a bit aggrieved if I failed an advanced test for driving in that way.
Low speed manouvres
On my (Rospa) test I found low speed manouvres particularly challenging because I've always steered one-handed when reversing with my other arm around the back of the passenger seat. I was very imprecise when steering two-handed in reverse and still am despite practicing! Having said that I feel there is room for low speed manouvres in the test to encourage reverse parking and good practice for three-point turns etc.
Cockpit drill
The cockpit drill may be superfluous in the obvious sense of knowing where controls are in a familiar car, however I find it useful in two ways. Firstly, we have two cars which we both drive and require very different seat and mirror positions. A quick cockpit drill prevents one rushing the departure only to have to adjust mirrors half way down the road. Additionally, a few seconds spent considering the driving task is a good way to concentrate the mind and seems to me to chime with the discussion elsewhere on mindset and attitude.
Economy
On economy, I would expect unnecessary use of low gears, high revs and acceleration to be commented on, but perhaps they would be better covered by the mechanical sympathy category. Perhaps the requirement to make progress could be flexible depending on the presence of traffic behind, with due attention paid to the potential danger of differential speeds on the open road and other road user's anticipated behaviour? (That's not excusing following drivers from correctly observing and adapting for one's speed, but accounting for the likelihood that some won't.)