Nonnie
28-01-2008, 12:37 PM
Well, I've had an interesting day so far. I've been on my employers Driver Development course to be assessed that I am actually safe enough to drive myself to my places of work without killing or maiming myself or others.
Things have changed since I learned to drive. I was told gears are for "going" not slowing, you're meant to just brake coming up to a stop and then clutch in at the last minute. You're supposed to be more environmentally friendly by being in as high a gear as possibly even when it sounds like it's going to stall or something (can't get used to that!) and I'm a bit of a habitual signaller apparently. I always thought it was better to signal than not and that way you won't get out of the habit but it's kind of unneccessary. I cover my clutch (in my defence I drive an automatic and was not in my car) and when I turn one arm seems to be over the middle of the steering wheel which means should the airbag go off, I will infact break my jaw with my arm, push it back and thus choke to death (Yikes)
I got excellents for my shoulder checks (knew that biking would come in handy) and for my attitude although I was told to stop being so nice to other road users! and I passed the assessment.
I did tell them I was horribly disappointed about not being able to go in the skid car on the track and was then invited to go back after this guy has trained the next lot of instructors so that they can then practise on me. Even nicer than that, they told me I can bring a friend! Hurrah!
So, some fundamental things have definitely changed in the way learner drivers are taught now than when I was learning 15 years ago but all good.
It was very good to know that I am a safe driver and I will give it a go putting all the new things I learned into practise.
Now when my bike is back together again, I have the chance to do a bike assessment too so obviously I'm not putting the wheels back on until the weather is kinder!
Things have changed since I learned to drive. I was told gears are for "going" not slowing, you're meant to just brake coming up to a stop and then clutch in at the last minute. You're supposed to be more environmentally friendly by being in as high a gear as possibly even when it sounds like it's going to stall or something (can't get used to that!) and I'm a bit of a habitual signaller apparently. I always thought it was better to signal than not and that way you won't get out of the habit but it's kind of unneccessary. I cover my clutch (in my defence I drive an automatic and was not in my car) and when I turn one arm seems to be over the middle of the steering wheel which means should the airbag go off, I will infact break my jaw with my arm, push it back and thus choke to death (Yikes)
I got excellents for my shoulder checks (knew that biking would come in handy) and for my attitude although I was told to stop being so nice to other road users! and I passed the assessment.
I did tell them I was horribly disappointed about not being able to go in the skid car on the track and was then invited to go back after this guy has trained the next lot of instructors so that they can then practise on me. Even nicer than that, they told me I can bring a friend! Hurrah!
So, some fundamental things have definitely changed in the way learner drivers are taught now than when I was learning 15 years ago but all good.
It was very good to know that I am a safe driver and I will give it a go putting all the new things I learned into practise.
Now when my bike is back together again, I have the chance to do a bike assessment too so obviously I'm not putting the wheels back on until the weather is kinder!