Another good video Reg To me, progressive driving is just about not being a dawdler... I commute mainly on fast country roads and im always happy to be sat behind another car travelling at NSL, its when people insist on doing less than the limit on clear roads that i get my overtaking hat on and get past them. Some folk on the other hand seem hell bent on driving everywhere at 3x the speed of sound, overtaking everything in their way without any consideration for the risk they are taking, thats not being progressive to me, its just being reckless.
I always make a point of showing your videos to my son, to try and instil good driving habits at a relatively early stage in his driving life.The point being to make him think about his driving rather than just go through the motions.
As usual a very well put together video. Thanks Reg. With your guidance I passed my IAM earlier this year and will always continue to enjoy your vids. Please keep them coming. They are so much appreciated and beautifully constructed.
Some people have no restraint it is obvious. The amount of times I have had someone driving too close when I am already driving at the speed limit because that was approprate speed at the time as well as been the maximum speed. Even being overtaken in a 20mph zone when doing 20mph, 200 yards from a junior school at 3pm on a school day. I feel a lot of drivers are very lucky they have not had serious collisions or caused injury. I had a very close call about 20 years ago when doing (I wont post) over the speed limit on a straight bit of dual carriageway road, a car went into the back of a slow moving vehicle and the following car had to take evasive action with me fast approaching in the outside lane, this taught me to expect the unexpected.
Absolutely fantastic video as always, thank you for taking the time to upload them. If only every driver could watch this and understand that this is true driving, progress and safety at all times. Keep up the good work Reg!
Just found your channel. Very insightful. I have subscribed. Question (one of many) what would you advise is the correct course of action, with regard to dealing with a motorists who is tailgating, primarily when driving on country roads where there is little opportunity to pullover? I have just purchased a MX-5 and have become more aware how vulnerable, I feel compared to driving my transporter van. Thanks
I too would be interested. As some one who drives very frequently down country roads with national speed limits and driving to limit points it is very common for people to get too close.
There are a few things you can do. Firstly don’t slam your anchors on to annoy them. It will make it worse one way or the other. Next if there’s a vehicle in front of you keep your distance. A bit more than you otherwise would. This way if you have to brake you can do so more gently giving the person behind who is too close more time to react. As a motorcyclist I can tell you this is sometimes the best option as they don’t always react well to motorcycle brake lamps (they’re less obvious). Some people seem to think the answer to a queue of traffic is to get so close to the car in front it magically disappears. If you can let them past, do. There might not always be places to stop but if the road is wide enough slowing down, creating a gap and letting them get on with it can sometimes be the answer. One trick I sometimes use is to flash an indicator, left or right. This way they tend to think I might imminently slow down and not want to end up in my boot and so back off.
Thanks for another superb video, Reg; as always, it's chock full of sage advise and balanced viewpoints Your videos should be made compulsory viewing to all new drivers. And idiots. And tailgaters. And ditherers. And faffers. 😊
Hi Reg, great videos, I live in Wigan which has a significant number of 20 mph zones. For whatever reason I struggle to drive at 20 for a prolonged distance. In 2nd gear the car wants to change up at which point speed increases. Any advice please?
Well Reg, generally a good video. However, I must take exception to your advice @ 10.10 regarding traffic lights. Experience has taught me not to sprint away from the lights the instant they turn green - chances are there's a "progressive driver" in the other traffic flow trying to squeeze through just after their lights have turned red. The result, BANG !! Best to wait a couple of seconds whilst looking out for these red light runners. Just look on the RUclips car crash channels - there's hundreds of examples of these T bone crashes. The transport authorities could stop a lot of these T bones by have a couple of seconds overlap between the changeover from red on one flow to green on the opposing traffic flow.
Hi Reg What’s your view on “eco driving” and where does it fit in with restraint/progress in the IAM roadsmart advanced and masters test? Best regards.
Agreed Reg, great video, some of the safety brigade go overbord and defeat the whole purpose of driving. Also driving at a good pace minimizes traffic and emissions.
Many thanks for the video. I am always in doubt with this issue, as well as with "progress vs ecodriving". My main conflict is with acceleration in urban areas and not holding others back (since I know between traffic lights it is not worthy to accelerate briskly). What would be your advice regarding this issue? I have a slow car (13.9s 0-60mph), so being gentle on the throttle usually means considerably slow acceleration. Of course, when I am joining a motorway (specially rejoining from a service station) I let it go up to redline as fast as possible from 1st to 3rd. My doubts are with in-city driving and balanced acceleration.
Comment from a fellow reader, from a technical viewpoint, full throttle acceleration at mid range revs can actually be beneficial as the engine will operate efficiently, you will accelerate for a much shorter time and once up to speed you can cruise at the highest gear possible, also efficient. Key in frugal driving is also minimizing braking as it is there where you waste most energy, so planning your drive and lifting of the throttle as soon as you can, thus stopping using fuel, will have just as big or even bigger effect than how you accelerate.
It has been said that a passenger of a good (advanced?) driver should feel they are being carried along by the car, not getting the sense that it is being "driven".
A really enjoyable and informative video. A high proportion of drivers would benefit from applying these principles. Will be advising my associates to watch this video.
Would I be right in thinking that performance of a vehicle especially suspension come into this so one car with sports suspension could go around a corner a bit faster say 40 in a hatch vs 45 in hot hatch. I am doing my advance driving atm and this is one of thing my observer has picked up on.
Jake, the question should never be “how fast can I go around this corner?” Instead, the question should be “can I stop?” Speed into corners is directly related to the distance you can see to be clear (the distance to the limit point), and you should always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear.
Thank you Reg local I have so far found the experience quite eye opening to some of the bad habits I have picked up and actually from that things I never saw as being an issue once pointed out why. My observer has said he wants to feel that his being carried in car rather than the car is being driven I thought that was a good way of putting it
Nice video for contrast. Here's the terminology I use: "Restraint": Passively going with the flow, only changing lanes to position for turns, decelerating prior to cornering sedately as if towing a horse on a float. "Progressive": Actively flowing with traffic, changing lanes for efficient medium/long-term progress up to NSL, moderate braking prior to cornering at 3-4 seconds to limit point. "Assertive": Maintaining headway through any traffic slower than enforcement thresholds, changing lanes with aim to better short-medium term progress, late but safe trail braking to cornering at 2-3 seconds from limit point. "Aggressive": Maintains headway past all other traffic regardless of speed, typically sits behind every vehicle in the overtaking lane umtil they move over. Won't move over but keeps speeding up toward next slower overtaker, or at 1/4 mile from exit. Brakes late then cuts early apexes where assertive drivers catch up. You know the type.
Another reason to overtake. Clash of driving styles with car in front. Example, no brake cruising to roundabout/traffic lights, very slow acceleration (eco driving)….its just better to pass them and let them do what they want, you drive to your style.
One of the problems of modern cars is that their performance is generally, way beyond that of the feedback they give. This is especially true of large SUVs where the high ride height and isolation can fool drivers into driving too fast without realising it. Having a slow car that feels fast isime, way better than having a fast one that feel slow. I drive a "sporty" diesel estate, it's far from a "fast" car by modern standards, and yet anything close to 7 or 8 tenths means 3 figure speeds!
Another good video Reg
To me, progressive driving is just about not being a dawdler... I commute mainly on fast country roads and im always happy to be sat behind another car travelling at NSL, its when people insist on doing less than the limit on clear roads that i get my overtaking hat on and get past them. Some folk on the other hand seem hell bent on driving everywhere at 3x the speed of sound, overtaking everything in their way without any consideration for the risk they are taking, thats not being progressive to me, its just being reckless.
I always make a point of showing your videos to my son, to try and instil good driving habits at a relatively early stage in his driving life.The point being to make him think about his driving rather than just go through the motions.
As usual a very well put together video. Thanks Reg. With your guidance I passed my IAM earlier this year and will always continue to enjoy your vids. Please keep them coming. They are so much appreciated and beautifully constructed.
Some people have no restraint it is obvious. The amount of times I have had someone driving too close when I am already driving at the speed limit because that was approprate speed at the time as well as been the maximum speed. Even being overtaken in a 20mph zone when doing 20mph, 200 yards from a junior school at 3pm on a school day.
I feel a lot of drivers are very lucky they have not had serious collisions or caused injury. I had a very close call about 20 years ago when doing (I wont post) over the speed limit on a straight bit of dual carriageway road, a car went into the back of a slow moving vehicle and the following car had to take evasive action with me fast approaching in the outside lane, this taught me to expect the unexpected.
Please keep sharing your knowledge...Another fantastic video.
Another great video; finally some explanation, sense and honest approach to progress! Hallelujah
Absolutely fantastic video as always, thank you for taking the time to upload them. If only every driver could watch this and understand that this is true driving, progress and safety at all times. Keep up the good work Reg!
Just found your channel. Very insightful. I have subscribed.
Question (one of many) what would you advise is the correct course of action, with regard to dealing with a motorists who is tailgating, primarily when driving on country roads where there is little opportunity to pullover? I have just purchased a MX-5 and have become more aware how vulnerable, I feel compared to driving my transporter van. Thanks
I too would be interested. As some one who drives very frequently down country roads with national speed limits and driving to limit points it is very common for people to get too close.
There are a few things you can do. Firstly don’t slam your anchors on to annoy them. It will make it worse one way or the other. Next if there’s a vehicle in front of you keep your distance. A bit more than you otherwise would. This way if you have to brake you can do so more gently giving the person behind who is too close more time to react. As a motorcyclist I can tell you this is sometimes the best option as they don’t always react well to motorcycle brake lamps (they’re less obvious). Some people seem to think the answer to a queue of traffic is to get so close to the car in front it magically disappears.
If you can let them past, do. There might not always be places to stop but if the road is wide enough slowing down, creating a gap and letting them get on with it can sometimes be the answer.
One trick I sometimes use is to flash an indicator, left or right. This way they tend to think I might imminently slow down and not want to end up in my boot and so back off.
@@happynotnormal Thanks, some good advice. especially the indicators.
Thanks for another superb video, Reg; as always, it's chock full of sage advise and balanced viewpoints
Your videos should be made compulsory viewing to all new drivers. And idiots. And tailgaters. And ditherers. And faffers. 😊
brilliant video
roundabouts are serious for dithers
Hi Reg, great videos, I live in Wigan which has a significant number of 20 mph zones. For whatever reason I struggle to drive at 20 for a prolonged distance. In 2nd gear the car wants to change up at which point speed increases. Any advice please?
Hi William, yes - move to Bolton.
Well Reg, generally a good video. However, I must take exception to your advice @ 10.10 regarding traffic lights. Experience has taught me not to sprint away from the lights the instant they turn green - chances are there's a "progressive driver" in the other traffic flow trying to squeeze through just after their lights have turned red. The result, BANG !! Best to wait a couple of seconds whilst looking out for these red light runners. Just look on the RUclips car crash channels - there's hundreds of examples of these T bone crashes. The transport authorities could stop a lot of these T bones by have a couple of seconds overlap between the changeover from red on one flow to green on the opposing traffic flow.
Hi Reg
What’s your view on “eco driving” and where does it fit in with restraint/progress in the IAM roadsmart advanced and masters test?
Best regards.
Hi Gary. I’ll cover it in a forthcoming “How to Pass” video.
Love it.
Agreed Reg, great video, some of the safety brigade go overbord and defeat the whole purpose of driving.
Also driving at a good pace minimizes traffic and emissions.
Really pleased with your subject of choice on this Reg, another great vid thanks for creating I look forward to the next one
Many thanks for the video. I am always in doubt with this issue, as well as with "progress vs ecodriving". My main conflict is with acceleration in urban areas and not holding others back (since I know between traffic lights it is not worthy to accelerate briskly). What would be your advice regarding this issue? I have a slow car (13.9s 0-60mph), so being gentle on the throttle usually means considerably slow acceleration. Of course, when I am joining a motorway (specially rejoining from a service station) I let it go up to redline as fast as possible from 1st to 3rd. My doubts are with in-city driving and balanced acceleration.
Comment from a fellow reader, from a technical viewpoint, full throttle acceleration at mid range revs can actually be beneficial as the engine will operate efficiently, you will accelerate for a much shorter time and once up to speed you can cruise at the highest gear possible, also efficient. Key in frugal driving is also minimizing braking as it is there where you waste most energy, so planning your drive and lifting of the throttle as soon as you can, thus stopping using fuel, will have just as big or even bigger effect than how you accelerate.
I always like the video before watching. Thanks for the information Reg.
It has been said that a passenger of a good (advanced?) driver should feel they are being carried along by the car, not getting the sense that it is being "driven".
Lovely driving road between Dromahair and Sligo alongside Lough Gill.
A valuable series of videos. Thanks Mr Local.
A really enjoyable and informative video. A high proportion of drivers would benefit from applying these principles. Will be advising my associates to watch this video.
Would I be right in thinking that performance of a vehicle especially suspension come into this so one car with sports suspension could go around a corner a bit faster say 40 in a hatch vs 45 in hot hatch.
I am doing my advance driving atm and this is one of thing my observer has picked up on.
Jake, the question should never be “how fast can I go around this corner?” Instead, the question should be “can I stop?” Speed into corners is directly related to the distance you can see to be clear (the distance to the limit point), and you should always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear.
Thank you Reg local I have so far found the experience quite eye opening to some of the bad habits I have picked up and actually from that things I never saw as being an issue once pointed out why. My observer has said he wants to feel that his being carried in car rather than the car is being driven I thought that was a good way of putting it
Nice video for contrast. Here's the terminology I use:
"Restraint": Passively going with the flow, only changing lanes to position for turns, decelerating prior to cornering sedately as if towing a horse on a float.
"Progressive": Actively flowing with traffic, changing lanes for efficient medium/long-term progress up to NSL, moderate braking prior to cornering at 3-4 seconds to limit point.
"Assertive": Maintaining headway through any traffic slower than enforcement thresholds, changing lanes with aim to better short-medium term progress, late but safe trail braking to cornering at 2-3 seconds from limit point.
"Aggressive": Maintains headway past all other traffic regardless of speed, typically sits behind every vehicle in the overtaking lane umtil they move over. Won't move over but keeps speeding up toward next slower overtaker, or at 1/4 mile from exit.
Brakes late then cuts early apexes where assertive drivers catch up. You know the type.
Reg, excellent video, thank you! Very useful! 👍
Another reason to overtake. Clash of driving styles with car in front. Example, no brake cruising to roundabout/traffic lights, very slow acceleration (eco driving)….its just better to pass them and let them do what they want, you drive to your style.
Once again another great video look forward to the next one
Go Reg! Great and usefull video.
Where was this recorded? Doesnt look like english road signs? Ninja edit: Its Ireland.
One of the problems of modern cars is that their performance is generally, way beyond that of the feedback they give. This is especially true of large SUVs where the high ride height and isolation can fool drivers into driving too fast without realising it. Having a slow car that feels fast isime, way better than having a fast one that feel slow. I drive a "sporty" diesel estate, it's far from a "fast" car by modern standards, and yet anything close to 7 or 8 tenths means 3 figure speeds!
👍