Making Progress

by **simonp** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:05 pm

I have my advanced test in a few weeks and am getting conflicting advice from my IAM observers about the balance between Making Progress and driving with consideration for others.

I am in lane 2 of a motorway doing 65 behind a lorry. Lane 3 is busy with people doing 80. A small gap comes up which I *can* move into, but at 70 I will cause people to slow down.

My view is that I should wait for a longer gap where my impact (pun intended) will be less, but some observers have the view that lane 3 should not be going at 80 so "it is their problem".

by **JamesAllport** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:22 pm

It becomes your problem if you move into the gap in Lane 2.

Don't do it.

James
IAM Observer, RoADA Tutor

by **WhiskyDelta** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 3:21 pm

If you have access to Roadcrafts Ten Commandments. Found in older versions of the book, have a look at Commandment 6 and 9. It may help you with how to make progress.
WhiskyDelta.

by **Orlando** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 3:26 pm

WhiskyDelta wrote:If you have access to Roadcrafts Ten Commandments. ...have a look at Commandment 6 and 9.

Any chance you could post 1-10?

by **WhiskyDelta** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:05 pm

Have a look at www.iamchelmsford.org.uk/hints/ten.php
Although not my group, I am sure they wont mind you looking at it. The Ten Commandments are listed there. Saves time posting them here. I think they were on here before the hacker spoilt things.
Regards.
WhiskyDelta.

by **MikeG** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:22 pm

Personally I find keeping to the 70 limit on motorways demands a lot more precision in your driving, assuming that the traffic is free flowing and you wish to make progress. It needs good mirrorwork to identify potential gaps in the flow when you wish to change lanes without causing others to brake or slow down, especially when moving into Lane 3.

Mike

by **Roadcraft** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 5:14 pm

The 65 behind the lorry (7.5t> I presume) means you will be catchin him...as 60mph is his limit..and 99% are limited to 56mph....

So it's a case of looking in mirrors and judging the gap at the right moment...which might be soon or later than you would normally like...
Out of the two...sooner is better than later...as later means you have compromised your braking distance behind the LGV...

If a gap doesn't look likely in the 80mph+ lane 3 merchants...then 2 choices present themselves..

1) slow to the speed of the LGV and await an opening in lane 3...

or

2) put your offside indicator on 'requesting' a place in lane 3...

If that means that the other 80+mph merchants have to slow to 70mph...tough !... They'd have to do it if it was a police car...so bugger 'em..it's their problem they are exceeding the limit not yours....Their law breaking must be hindered for your benefit...not the other way around...

Stay safe..and keep thinking...'what if'...

S1