ROG wrote: Police traffic advanced drivers have been specially trained for weeks to achieve a super high standard of driving which they must have as they are to stand in the initial judgement of all those driving on our roads
Actually, they only get to judge the majority of people on the roads after a driving test examiner has had their say. And even then they're 'marking' the pubic against a set of laws and rules which those public drivers know or have access to if they want to check. This country has one of the lowest accident rates in the World, doesn't it?
Even when testing for an advanced test, the standard isn't that unattainable for the public otherwise we'd never pass, so - frankly - the higher standard achieved on a police course is irrelevant to the IAM test standard.
This is quite interesting (from an IAM examiner)
http://www.closeprotectionworld.co.uk/d ... iding.htmlMost people who undertake a RoSPA or IAM course are either a member of a local 'training group', or have undergone some sort of training by a professional in readiness for the test.
These have a 7 out of 10 chance of doing well. Those people who consider themselves good drivers/riders, but haven't undergone training usually fail the test.
Now I'm not saying that those who fail in those circumstances are poor drivers, far from it. However, you can only pass a test if you've trained for it, generally speaking. An advanced/defensive driving or riding test is no different.
What I would say is that the 'system of car/bike control' that is required for a RoSPA/IAM test really works. Both in the practical sense and for safety's sake. You can be a 'fast' driver/rider, lets call it, and also be systematic and methodical in your driving plans.
Yes, there are some cloth cap and string back driving gloves types involved in both organisations. However, I'd say any training is better than no training. You get out of something what you put into it. In layman's terms take on board the good stuff and don't swallow the bullsh*t. However, make sure it is bullsh*t that you're discounting, not just something you're unfamiliar with or is 'too difficult to do'..
I would say that RoSPA/IAM courses and test are a very good foundation to further your driving/riding career. Certainly in my case, having done an IAM bike course and test several years ago really stood me in good stead for my current official police advanced riding course.
One of the main differences of riding a police bike on such a course, is that you have exemptions from the speed limits. Further more, you are much more 'visible' and accountable and your riding tends to reflect this, if you know what I mean.
Additionally, I've found there's even more emphasis on safety than in the IAM course, which I thought was intense enough at the time.The important bit in bold. i.e.
you can only pass a test if you've trained for it, generally speaking. An advanced/defensive driving or riding test is no differentIn other words, the observers train the public up to a standard, then submit them for test, when they are tested against that same standard. Therefore, if another observer conducts a 'ready for test?' X-check they are acting as an examiner -
testing to the same standard as the examiner would!Passing a police advanced test doesn't mark someone out as superhuman, with powers not avaialable to the normal human bean - just that they've been trained and assessed to a higher standard than must of 'us' ever get the opportunity to. It doesn't make them infallible, or beyond the laws of physics
Within the UK's road laws, the differences between a good civvie rider and a police rider may be difficult to tell. Indeed, that was the 'Gold' pass requirement for one RoSPA examiner I know.
ROG wrote: The Staff examiners (and I assume the chief examiner) cross check each other at set intervals
The Staff examiners check the examiners at set intervals
The staff examiners also check the senior observers (obs) at least every 6 years
The senior obs check each other in the middle of those 6 years
The senior obs check the qualified obs every 3 years
The examiners in our group can tell, without asking, which observer has assisted the associate in many cases!!
I presume that's for Gareth's benefit, as he doesn't seem to be aware of it
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