IAM RoadSmart - is it worth it?

I write this just a few hours after I have achieved a pass in my first attempt at the advanced driving test.  I am certainly now in a completely different state of mind than I was just minutes before I was to meet the assessor, where I was questioning what I was doing and asking “why am I putting myself through this?”  Now sitting, having had the congratulatory handshake from the assessor with a pass, my mind set is a big PHEW and the question now is “was it worth it?”

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Simple answer....... of course it was!

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I look back to that afternoon at Langley Burrell where I had a random discussion at the IAM Roadsmart display stand.  I summarised that I had passed my driving test in 1981 and at no time since had anyone assessed my driving.  In my honest self assessment I knew I had an array of bad habits, I knew I was making more and more silly mistakes, my judgement wasn’t as quick as it should be and I certainly wasn’t enjoying driving as much as I used to. I would get home after a journey tense, with a headache, not entirely happy and relieved that I had survived the drive without incident.  At only 68 I was already starting to question how much longer I would feel comfortable driving.

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The IAM member persuaded me to come out for a taster drive and it all started to change from that day on.  It was a pressure-free drive with an honest assessment.  Not surprising, 45 years of bad habits all came to light during that first drive.  Yes, although my driving was assessed as “generally safe”, there was a lot I could achieve and re-hone up on with a structured course of tuition.

 

I was soon on the road on my first accompanied drive with my designated observer.  We talked about my general concerns I had with my driving, resulting with a demonstrated and practiced drive of road positioning incorporating the first principles of system of car control.  All that week I practiced what I was taught and with a concentrated effort to perfect I found I hated driving even more as I made even more mistakes.  The second and probably third sessions, working further through the structured course, as adopted by IAM Roadsmart, I was becoming even more frustrated.  With some patience though from my observer, and a touch of kind but forceful encouragement, we worked together and things gradually started to click into place.

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Three sessions later, having worked through the nine sections of the course book, I was assessed as ready for a check drive.  This first independent and critical assessment of my driving, since my test back in 1981, was surprisingly an enjoyable experience.  Yes, there was no getting away from it, I was apprehensive and tense but I now had an opportunity to prove myself as a safe competent driver.  The check drive went well and I was assessed as test ready.

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I chose to sit with my observer for another couple of drives and hone some of the new techniques and processes learnt.  After some additional, self practice drives across the full range of roads and conditions the day of my test arrived and the pass achieved.

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Of course it was all worth it.  I haven’t all of a sudden become a perfect, error free driver, but who is? However, I now feel I am a more disciplined, knowledgeable driver, with new found techniques that enhance my safety on the road, and therefore safer to myself, my passengers and other road users.  I know my observation has improved, my anticipation has improved and therefore what I do on the road is more methodical and structured.  My confidence and enjoyment in driving has returned.

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So, yes it is worth it.  Congratulations IAM for all the hard work you do and I certainly will be encouraging anyone I know to consider very seriously the safety of their driving and to challenge themselves to improve.

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I have always been intrigued that drivers pass a rudimentary test and then are left to their own devices, without another assessment, for the rest of their driving life on the road.  In our various occupations, whether that is in an office, a shop, a factory or wherever, as employees we have all experienced sitting compulsory, regular, often repeated annual, health and safety assessments.  However, in the most hazardous situation we all put ourselves into in our daily lives, by jumping into our cars to drive, we are never reassessed.  Crazy isn’t it?

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Another intrigue!  When we pass our tests we are handed a piece of paper and we sign it.  I wonder how many drivers realise they are declaring, with that signature, that they will keep themselves fully informed of the regulations and laws of the road?  I ashamedly say, I didn’t.  In 1981, when I passed my test, the Highway Code was about 70 pages.  In the same comparable format today it is 174 pages.  A lot of additional regulation and material applied in those 41 years.

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The advanced driving course not only reconcentrates the mind back onto the rules and regulations but also delves into highway structure and reasoning why signs and road markings are as they are.  With this deeper knowledge and reasoning it becomes natural to start using the rules, signs and markings in the way you drive and planning your actions.  All adding to the enjoyment of a drive, especially when you get it right.

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So, please don’t be afraid, challenge yourself to improve.  As well as the seriousness of what you will try to achieve, I can vouch it is fun and it can only be an improvement to your well being, safety, control and knowledge when on the road.