Advanced Driving

We all have "non-work" things that we excel at – mine has always been driving.

Back in the late 90's, when I started on my career path in sales, I was given a Vauxhall Vectra. Not that impressive by today's standards, but at the time I was in my mid-20's and it was pretty special back then. I was managing a huge territory and covering hundreds of miles a week.

As I progressed, the cars got better and more powerful, and the distances increased. A geographic territory became a whole region, which then became national. At the same time the head offices of the companies I worked for were further away. At one point I was doing in excess of 80,000 miles a year, mainly on the motorway network.

I wanted to be safe and develop a worthwhile skill that would benefit me for many years. So I joined the local Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), did the observed drives and in 2001 I took and passed their Advanced Driving test.

The IAM test is a one-off test that doesn't expire. Members take it upon themselves to maintain their skill but there is no retest. In my youth I liked the confidence that came from continual appraisal ….. so I joined RoADA – the RoSPA Advanced Drivers' Association.

The RoADA test has to be retaken every three years and is a bit different to the IAM test. It is conducted by serving Police pursuit drivers and is very focused on "Roadcraft" and "making progress". The test has three passing grades – Bronze, Silver and Gold.

I took the test the first time in 2003 and attained the Silver Grade, I retook the test in 2006 and attained the Gold Grade, I took the test for the final time in 2009 and attained the Silver Grade again. I also gained a BTEC Award Advanced Defensive Driving qualification in late 2003.

I haven't bothered with testing since then. I've changed and no longer feel the need to be continually measured. I did the Advanced Motorcycle Riding course but never felt the need to do the test. I still drive using the system, I still give a commentary in my head and I follow the mantra that slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

As the number of cars on the road increases and cars get faster, the level of driver skill and general awareness seems to be getting worse. Doing advanced driving training has been invaluable. I would seriously suggest that anyone who spends a lot of time on the road undertake some advanced driver training – it will make you safer and it will make driving more enjoyable.