North Staffs Advanced Motorists
'Skill with Responsibility'

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After experiencing the indignity of penalty points, fines and even a ban for speeding and two ( I hate to admit this) speed awareness courses I started to think about about my attitude to driving, my relationship with other road users and the level of my own skills.

After some careful consideration I concluded that other road users were my adversaries who got in my way and didn't have a clue what they were doing and that if they were only half as good a driver as I was the highways would be far safer places.

The law was an Ass in respect of speeding enforcement and cameras little more than entrapment. During this review of my attitude I also realised how stressed I was at the end of a car journey. This stress was brought about by my own recollection of how rude I might have been to other road users (from the safety of my own car of course) and how dangerous some of my retaliation had been. And when would that Notice to prosecute for excess speeding arrive?

I further concluded that embarking a car journey in this frame of mind was not good.....for me or others

I then had the opportunity to have my driving assessed by an IAM Observer. I drove for around an hour and he did a demonstration drive immediately afterwards.  It is fair to say I was not immediately hooked but because of my comments earlier I felt an obligation to myself to sign up to the IAM Skill For Life Programme. This included an associate membership of the IAM along with a 12 step programme of coaching with a designated observer.

As the coaching progressed I found I was experiencing a change in my driving persona and over time my frustrations and impatience seemed to melt away. This was no accident or coincidence the Programme gives you a structure and discipline to deal with situations and challenges that others might present to you. You also have the support of a highly skilled driver as a coach.  As time went by I became aware that I started to enjoy driving again but this time the anxieties and concerns I felt previously at the end of and during  journeys had all but gone.

I tried the test and passed first time.  I was over the moon it was a thrilling and satisfying experience.

I am no longer a danger to myself, my family or other road users and get a great deal of pleasure from driving..............legally!  On urban routes I am getting around 4mpg more from my car and because I have a much smoother driving style there is less wear and tear on the car too, so the pocket does not feel so much pain.

Finally I used to enjoy? tanking down the outside lane on the motorway well in excess of the speed limit then worry about the fall out when I got home.  Now I have just as much fun if not more driving a decent 'B' road with challenging bends and never once breaking the law.

Can't beat it!

Steve