Driving plans, improving observation, and scanning
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:07 am
I wanted the hive mind's thoughts on a few topics - these are based on feedback from a half day with Clive Jones earlier this year, and as I'm planning to do the two day followup in August I wanted to get thinking about them early.
I'm after advice on some of the things Clive picked up on. Firstly - a driving plan - never heard of it before the day, and still haven't got a clear idea of what it is. Any pointers (other than the most obvious thought which is rigorous application of the system) and how to develop ways of developing one (if you know what I mean) are gratefully accepted.
Second - extending forward and lateral observation. I'm happy with that in that it means looking as far forward as possible, including to the side (duh!) but I find that I'm still missing stuff. What's the most effective way you've found to get your observation up to scratch ? And as a followup, at what point does looking to the side become irrelevant? I'm thinking here of the point at which you consider a potential hazard (side junction, parked car) no longer a hazard and can consign it to the dustbin of observation.
Lastly - effective scanning. What's the most appropriate technique ? Is there a "one size fits all", or does the type of scan (not the frequency, speed or resolution) change with environment ? In urban environments, scanning hugely far ahead adds to the mental list of things to consider as hazards and I sometimes find far-reaching observation in such circumstances detracts from the ones closer to you which need more immediate attention. I'm thinking along the lines of say traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing the far side of a roundabout - I know they're there but I need to negotiate the roundabout safely but with the lights in mind.
I'm after advice on some of the things Clive picked up on. Firstly - a driving plan - never heard of it before the day, and still haven't got a clear idea of what it is. Any pointers (other than the most obvious thought which is rigorous application of the system) and how to develop ways of developing one (if you know what I mean) are gratefully accepted.
Second - extending forward and lateral observation. I'm happy with that in that it means looking as far forward as possible, including to the side (duh!) but I find that I'm still missing stuff. What's the most effective way you've found to get your observation up to scratch ? And as a followup, at what point does looking to the side become irrelevant? I'm thinking here of the point at which you consider a potential hazard (side junction, parked car) no longer a hazard and can consign it to the dustbin of observation.
Lastly - effective scanning. What's the most appropriate technique ? Is there a "one size fits all", or does the type of scan (not the frequency, speed or resolution) change with environment ? In urban environments, scanning hugely far ahead adds to the mental list of things to consider as hazards and I sometimes find far-reaching observation in such circumstances detracts from the ones closer to you which need more immediate attention. I'm thinking along the lines of say traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing the far side of a roundabout - I know they're there but I need to negotiate the roundabout safely but with the lights in mind.