What is it ?

Advanced motoring is planned driving that makes safe and efficient use of road space.

It is confident and decisive driving where you are `always in the right part of the road, travelling at the right speed and in the right gear; never making unnecessarily jerky moves or changes of direction.'

What's in it for you ?

Approaching motoring as an art increases the enjoyment of driving, with the advantage of making it less risky.

Because people who have passed an advanced driving test are between 50% and 75% less likely to be involved in a road accident, some major insurance companies offer premium reductions.

The System of Car Control.

This is a safe and smooth way of approaching and negotiating all road and traffic hazards.

Beginning with the information, each phase of the system is then dependent on the previous one.

`Information' needs to be continuously used to determine the circumstances that may reasonably be expected to develop.

Position for course, safety and observation. Positioning provides some indication of your intended course, it will also give you with more time to react if you keep a cushion of space from other road users. Look well ahead and have an escape route as an alternative plan if things go wrong.

Use of speed.

Advanced motoring involves driving fast where traffic conditions, visibility and the law permit such as on open clear country roads.

It also means driving at speeds below the legal limit where shorter stopping distances are perceived to be necessary such as in busy high streets and near to schools during term time.

The question of speed is related to the need to keep space.

`Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.'

The Highway Code (Rule 105)

As our speed doubles, braking distances become four times greater.

When travelling at 60 mph the distance needed to stop is four times more than at 30 mph.

Use of the controls.

Successful handling of the car needs a business like use of its controls.

Smooth, even acceleration and deceleration results in passenger comfort, less wear on the vehicle and fuel economy.

Anticipating potential problems ahead and the need to slow or stop well in advance should keep your braking to a minimum and reduce your accident risk. Late and heavy braking will increase the possibility of being struck from behind and if your driving style includes sudden spurts of speed, followed by frequent braking, you are jeopardising your car control.

The brakes are for slowing and the gears are for going.

By not making unnecessary changes through the intermediate gears when slowing you will have more time to concentrate your visual search skills.

To increase your car's speed you need the gears to transform the engine's power.

Smooth gear changing calls upon your car sense and skill to use the clutch and accelerator precisely.

The most appropriate point to accelerate depends on the hazard(s).

Remember that a moving car has most stability when it's being driven under constant acceleration in a straight line.

Get the line right - The message is that safe control of your car's movement calls for skill co-ordinating the use of its controls.

The amount of grip your tyres have on the road is shared between accelerating, braking and steering forces. For instance, putting a heavy demand on them for braking reduces the ability to steer. Good steering begins with sitting in the correct seat position. When turning corners the `pull-push' steering technique is preferred to turning the wheel hand over hand. Assessment of a safe speed at which you can steer your car round corners and bends on country roads depends considerably on the limit point of your vision ahead.

Assessment of the distance in which you will be able to stop is crucial to your safety. Sometimes referred to as the `vanishing point', this is the `point' where offside and nearside verges meet. The severity of the bend is indicated by whether the limit point remains fixed (sharp bend) or is moving away (gradual bend). Where the bend is gradual and your visibility is good and, providing the remaining circumstances are safe, you should be a proficient enough driver to make headway through the bend at the National Speed Limit.

Stability and safety can be improved by adopting a suitable position for the corner or bend, that is - well to the left on a right hand bend and, with discretion, a position towards the right on a left hand bend.

Advanced Driver Training

As in sport, achieving and maintaining high standards needs training and practice.

Whether you drive for pleasure or necessity there is something to be achieved by taking advanced training. People who've participated in our courses invariably comment how much more interesting, enjoyable and relaxed their driving feels especially on fast roads.

Advanced driving courses show you how much there is to see ahead even on a seemingly empty road and what value to place on traffic situations. You learn how to process all the information and synchronise your mind with your movements of the car's controls for a progressive drive with maximum safety and minimum danger. An advanced driving course will stretch your ability and awareness of what is happening on the road. It will help better prepare you for any eventuality.