ONCE you’ve signed up for the Skills for Life course, run by the Herefordshire branch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), you are assigned an observer to give advice as you make your way towards the advanced driving test.

One aspect of this is commentary driving, which means you tell your observer your thought processes as you drive. It’s quite unusual at first but you soon get into the swing of it.

The sorts of things you mention are passing a junction, seeing vehicles approaching from behind, passing pedestrians, and speed limits.

When commentating you also tell the observer when you look in your mirror – something it’s vital to do every time you turn on to a new road.

Not surprisingly, once you’ve done this for a while you start to do it when you’re driving on your own. It’s definitely a good habit as it can only improve your observation and limit your chances of having an accident.

I’ve also learned to make more of the information available to me. For instance, when I see double lines in the centre of the road I anticipate the possibility of a hazardous situation.

And when a single line down the centre of the road turns into hazard lines – when they become longer and have a cat’s eye in every gap – I make sure I moderate my driving.

I’ve also started to use block gear changes when appropriate as this means more time can be spent concentrating on observation and controlling the car.

This is particularly useful when approaching a junction in fourth gear, for instance, and slowing down as you are nearing it. It can be a good idea to pop the gear into first if the way ahead is clear at the junction.

Driving like this means you cut out two needless gear changes.

I’ve also sharpened up my observation skills and make sure I notice when speed limits start and end. I also look out for the small signs that show a speed limit is still in operation.

If you do the course you will also learn to do a cockpit drill. This allows you to assess that all is as it should be before you start driving.

This means you check the position of your seat and steering wheel and then your mirrors. After this you put your safety belt on and then check the car is in neutral. You then partly turn your ignition key to check all the gauges are working and then you are ready to start your car.

The IAM recommend, before turning on the ignition, that you have one hand on the steering wheel as a safety precaution.

I’ve only covered some of the aspects of what the course can give. It’s certainly something I would recommend to anyone to try. If you are interested in signing up, contact Mary Bevan on 01874 712267.