IAM Question

[tinman]

Heres a question for you all.

Started the IAM thing a couple of years ago, but got a bit irritated with two conflicting bits of advice from two senior observers.

The first, a nice lady, retired cop, who wanted me to maintain religiously to speed limits. No problem.

The second, a chap with a short beard, who wanted me to maintain posted speed limits religiously but expected me to interpret NSL with road conditions and traffic levels, and generally make progress.

But the two are incompatible and no one could give me a valid answer for what is correct for passing the test. Do i push on, or religiously stick to NSL speed limits?

I have every intention of getting this one finished sometime soon before I run out of time again.

[Dizeee]

There are differences of opinion between IAM observers, senior observers and examiners.

Generally it is expected that you will not exceed the posted limit, but there are a minority who will allow a certain leeway with a sound display of speed judgment for the prevailing conditions and road layout.

However that "leeway" seems to be getting rarer with the IAM and so my advice to maximise your chances of fitting in with whoever observes / examines you is not to sacrifice sparkle for safety. We all know that speed in itself i snot dangerous, what makes it dangerous is when it is misjudged or used inappropriately for the circumstances.

However, to experiment with speed legally and without fear of prosecution you need the back yp of legislative exemptions which the IAM just don't have.

Stick to the limitsso as to pass the course, and perhaps mention in your commentary that despite being aware of the potential for more progress to be made you won't be jeapordising your integrity. (That way you at least show an awareness of it...)

HTH

[dreamer]

I drove with someone who was training for IAM once - I got the impression they mandate you religiously stick to the speed limit, no matter what (as a maximum speed), at least for the exam.

Personally I prefer a more flexible approach without rigid rules to stick to :)

[Dizeee]

That flexible approach is correct and universally shared, but less so these days. To pass any sort of IAM test you need to be by the book.

RoSPA offers a higher degree of expertise, again without legal exemptions but never the less, a higher state of driving. That would be fiercley debated amongst AD groups, but the fact is, it is better funded and better moderated.

RoSPA will demand a more fruitful drive as well as a more colourful commentary. It will also grade you on a bronze / silver / gold grading system as to match your level of driving.

You can then go on with either institute to diploma level and beyond...