The Contents of Roadcraft

[Darren]

Obviously we can't print all of Roadcraft on the site (would like to though) but for those thinking of purchasing a copy, or undertaking a course. The following is the list of chapter and topics covered by the book.

Contents
About Roadcraft

Chapter 1- Becoming a better driver
The mental characteristics of a good driver
Traffic accidents
Do we learn from our mistakes
Resistance to learning trom experrence
What makes a good driver
How attitude atfects good driving
- Attitudes to speed
- Attitudes to risk taking
- Red mist
Attitudes and society
Changing unhelpful attitudes
Concentration and alertness
- Scanning the environment
- Developing your hazard awareness
- Alertness
- Fatigue
Learning skills
- Overconfidence after training
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 2 - The system of car control
The need tor a system of car control
Hazards
The system of car control
The tive phases of the system
The importance ot the information phase
Use the system flexibly
- Applying the system to a right-hand turn
- Applying the system to a left-hand turn
- Applying the system to a roundabout
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 3 - Observation
Why you need good observation skds
Observation
Planning
- Anticipate
- Order hazards in importance Decide what to do
- Decide what to do
Improving your observation skills
- Use your eyes - scanning
- Peripheral Vision
- How speed affects observation
- Zones ot visibility
Weather conditions
Road surface
Night driving
Road signs and markings
Local road knowledge
Making ohservation links
Review and check your uoderstakoçt

Chapter 4 - Acceleration, using gears, braking and steering
Developing your skill at controlling your vehicle
Tyre grip trade-off
Using the accelerator
- Accelerating on bends
- Using the gears
Overlapping braking and gear changing
Slowing down and stopping
- Deceleration
- Testing your brakes
- Normal braking
- Braking tyre grip and balance
- The safe stopping distance rule
- Overall safe stopping distance
- The two second rule
- Braking on corners and bends
- Braking as you approach a hazard
- Emergency braking on a good dry road
- Cadence braking
Steering
- Seat position
- How to hold the steering wheel
- Pull push
- Rotational steering
- Manoeuvring at slow speeds and in confined spaces
- Advice on reversing
- Steering guidelines
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 5 - Skidding
Developing skill in avoiding and dealing with skids
Recent developments in vehicle design
- Anti lock braking systems (ABS)
- Traction control systems
Avoiding skidding
- Causes of skidding
Minimising the risks of skidding
Recognising and removing the cause of a skid
Correcting different types of skid
- Correcting a rear wheel skid
- Correcting a front wheel skid
- Correcting four wheel skid
Other factors to consider
- Cadence braking (rythm braking, pumping the brakes)
- Aquaplaning
Training in skidcorrection
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 6 - Driver's signals
Developing your skill at using signals
- The purpose of signals
The range of signals
- Using the indicators
- Using the horn
- Using hazard warning ights
- Using brakelights
- Flashing your headlights
- Using arm signals
- Using courtesy signals
- Responding to other peoples signals
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 7 - Positioning
Developing skill at positioning your vehicle
Positioning on the approach to hazards
- Roadside hazards
- Improving the view into nearside road junctions
Following position
Overtaking position
Position for turning
Crossroads
Position for stopping behind other vehicles
Parking
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 8 - Cornering
Developing your skill at cornering
The system of can control - principles tor safe cornering
Cornering forces
Vehicle characteristics
Camber and superelovation
Summary of factors attectung cornering
The system of car control and the limit point
- How to use the limit point to help you corner
How to use the system for cornering
- Information phase
- Position phase
- Reducing the tightness of the bend
- Speed phase
- Gear Phase
- Acceleration phase
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 9 - Overtaking
Developing your skill at overtaking safely
- Key safety points
- Overtaking stationary vehicles
- Overtaking moving vehicles
How to overtake
Overtaking in the absence of other hazards
Overtaking when other hazards require you to take up a following position
- Stage one: the following position
- Stage two: the overtaking position
- Stage three: overtaking
Special hazards to consider betore attempting to overtake
- The vehicle in front
- The vehicle behind
- Road layout and conditions
- Road surface
- Overtaking in a stream of vehicles
- Overtaking on a single carriageway
- Overtaking on bends
- Overtaking on dual carriageways
Assisting others to overtake
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 10 - Motorway driving
Developing your skill at motorway driving
Betore you join the motorwoy
- Special features of motorways
The driver
The vehicle
Road conditions
Joining the motorway
- Use the system
- Observation
- Apapting to higher speeding
Overtaking
Motorway junctions
Leaving the motorway
Special hazards
- Weather conditions
- Lane closures
General safety rules
Review and check your understanding

Chapter 11 - Speed and safety
Satety
- The driver
- The vehicle
- Road, weather and traffic conditions
- Speed limits
How speed affects the driver
- Vision
- Understanding speed
- Speed and fatigue
- Using speed safely
- Overtaking
Key safety points
Review and check your understanding

Appendices
Roadworthiness check
Pre-Driving check
Glossary
Index

[chrispbrown2255]

I bought Roadcraft around January, and have read it through a few times, although not enough to pick everything up. More of a speed read. Since then I have now started my IAM drives and have been given a copy of How to be an advanced driver: Pass your advanced driving test. I liked Roadcraft before hand anyway, but in comparison to PYADT I (and others in my local group) much prefer Roadcraft.
I really would reccomend it. For the more laid back of you there is a DVD of roadcraft, which although doesn't give the same detail as the book, is still helpful being able to see excellent examples of whats mentioned in the book, not to mention top notch driving.

[ScoobyChris]

I'd also recommend the Cadence Commentary DVD (as linked in the Commentary thread) as the Roadcraft DVD is missing a decent demo drive, imho

Chris

[Prelude]

Don't forget to learn the Highway Code folks! I was rather caught out when asked questions on the HC during my IAM test, hence only JUST passing it, Oh well, it has been part of my bedtime regime for the past six weeks...and it beats any sleeping pills, lol. Seriously though, it IS worth checking out if only for drivers who took their original test, say 10/15 years ago, and who are not in the process of 'advancing' to take a look... which of course back then, or perhaps longer, never had a mention of trams, bus lanes, rules on mobile phone usage. SatNav will be next I suppose, if not in already; unless I have just ignored that bit as I haven't got it. I wonder what will be included during the next 5/10 years?? Any suggestions?

[manilva15b]

I ask this because Amazon won't accept my Spanish credit card details (and sad to say there's no copy available on Spanish Amazon).

My bank allows me to send direct credit to a UK bank account if anyone has a copy to Spare.

Mail me if you can help out.

[Gareth]

sad to say there's no copy available on Spanish Amazon

Can you buy from the French Amazon store? I was able to find Roadcraft on that site, and since they are selling in euros your credit card might be accepted.

[captac007]

HI
Heard a rumour there is a new edition of Roadcraft being produced?
Anyone know anymore?
Andy

[James]

Quite possibly, I beleive it is updated every so often, but it is all the same material with slight additions or reductions, I thinkthe only thing that differed between the last two editions was the adding in of a paragraph on rotational steering... IIRC

[TripleS]

Quite possibly, I believe it is updated every so often, but it is all the same material with slight additions or reductions, I thinkthe only thing that differed between the last two editions was the adding in of a paragraph on rotational steering... IIRC

....speaking in favour of it (where appropriate) I trust.

....and hopefully getting rid of that stupid table on page 11 of the 2001 edition!!

Merry Christmas each.
Dave.

[Horse]

Quite possibly, I beleive it is updated every so often,

Due out 30th Nov, according to the TSO site

[Horse]

Quite possibly, I beleive it is updated every so often,

Due out 30th Nov, according to the TSO site

Was anyone queueing at Midnight outside Waterstones, like they do for Harry Potter books?

[Gromit37]

It's now the 17th of December according to the website. Those waiting in a long queue may want to get some extra food supplies...

[ChrisGD4]

Unlike the recent reprint where only the cover was changed, this is a complete new edition and well worth the cost of buying it.
The graphics are much better and the system of car control is now finally shown correctly. The purist will have noticed long ago that the earlier editions, since the 1992 rewrite, show the accleration point after the turn, giving the impression of a 'trailing throttle'. We all know that acceleration has two meanings - to increase speed and to maintain speed. Therefore, accelaration to maintain speed, is now shown correctly in the new edition, just before turning or making an entry.
For those of you who struggle with the BGOL concept - you will find more information about it in the new chapter 4. I do like the new explanation and how it is worded. If anyone still does not know the true history of separation, let me know and I will explain it. I can see the forum being overloaded with comment on that topic. Chapter 1 has a new title 'Mental skills for better driving'
All in all it is well worth updating your copy of Roadcraft on 17th December

[learner]

Went to Waterstones to buy the book and says it is has been delayed in the printing. Hopefully it will be out for everyones christmas stocking

[michael769]

Amazon are now indicating that it will not publish this year.