LORRY DRIVING EVENING. 2 MT SQUADRON, R.A.F. WITTERING
MEMBERS ONLY
This exceptional opportunity to DRIVE the HGVs listedhas been made possible by Sgt Geoff Mackay, following his presentation on the subject at a group meeting last autumn. Photography permitted.
Vehicles available:
· 2 Volvo Globetrotters with curtain sided 40’ trailers.
· 2 MAN tankers (empty and cleaned).
· 2
Arrangements:
Meet at the main gate on the A1 northbound. 7.00 p.m.
Documents required:
- IAM membership card.
- Photographic ID i.e. passport or driving licence
Once passes have been issued, there will be a coach out to the driving area, which will be a tarmac route of about 1.5 miles, within the perimeter of the base, not on public roads and in an unpopulated area.
Insurance:
- Vehicles covered by the R.A.F.
- Personal insurance cover is provided by the IAM as this is a group activity.
Finish 9.30/9.45 p.m.
In order to gain admission to the base I need to be able to provide a list of names, car registration numbers and makes by 18th August. Please contact me by phone or email with these details.
Prue Lester: 01945 772234/07720 292054 pruelester@hotmail.com
Maximum number of drivers: 24.
The RAF has made this event possible in order to further civilian understanding of the requirements of these and other HGVs and their drivers when on public roads.
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Driving Days for Full Members
I originally took my motorcycle advanced test some twenty five-odd years ago and when I was called upon to prove my riding/driving ability to my employer seven years ago, I found that I was not as good as I thought I was! In fact my driving had become sloppy and unsystematic and my observation skills were “not those of an advanced motorist”. This was something of a shock to me. My pride was severely dented! I was compelled to undertake further training and I soon realised that focussed drives with a skilled instructor/observer help vastly to update my own skills.
The RoSPA advanced driving system demands periodical retests to retain membership but the IAM has never made this a condition of membership so theoretically we have some members who passed their IAM tests in the 1950s. Some still proudly display their red badge but actually they impugn the reputation of the IAM in the display of their driving skills. They don’t realise that their standard of driving has slipped. Even ex-professional drivers can be guilty of this. According to the latest figures when I put this article together, there are 62 full members of the Peterborough group out there and it has occurred to me that most of you have passed your advanced test some time ago…………
Last year four of the
The main rules were:
- drive as well as you can
- no chatting by driver or passengers
- give a commentary on request
- concentrate upon the drive
- debrief at the end of the drive
- lunch at a convivial location
The route is up to the acting observer as long as it is possible to return to your starting point in about one and a half hours.
The object is to accept that none of us is a perfect driver and we can all improve. To get the most out of this opportunity, it is necessary to offer and accept criticism in a positive and non-threatening manner. Certainly the four of us had an exhausting and enjoyable day which gave us food for thought. We all valued it as a chance to put workaday concerns aside and concentrate purely on our driving.
The concept of the driving day has come up in conversation several times since then and people have suggested that this opportunity should be open to all full members. I would suggest that a group observer would be worth their weight in each car to provide an up-to-date picture of current advanced expectations. The only cost to people would be normal car running costs and the price of lunch. In return you get a good day out amongst others whose objective is the same as yours, you visit places previously unknown and you escape into “Just Driving”.
If those people who would be interested in taking part in this would like to contact me, I would be happy to sort out geographically-based groups of four members. Be brave! Give it a try!
Sandy