Shall I compare thee to a sumer’s day? Cold, wet and miserable!
Made with Xara Web Designer
The Advanced Test is taken locally with an IAM
examiner. The test lasts about one and a half hours
(including debriefing) and is similar to an Observed
Ride. A varied route will be chosen to cover differing
road and traffic conditions. At the end of the test an assessment de-briefing will be given covering all aspects of
the test. If you are successful you are automatically enrolled for your first years' membership of the IAM (as part
of your test fee). You will also receive a certificate which you will, no doubt, be very proud to hang in a
prominent position and show off to all your family and friends.
In many cases, holding an advanced riding certificate may entitle you
to an additional discount on your motorcycle insurance premium as
the Advanced Test is a qualification recognised by many of the major
insurers.
Although the Advanced Motorcycle Test is not graded as such our
examiners do keep a record of each test pass and, at the end of the
club year, they compare notes and make an award to the associate
that has, in their opinion, achieved the best test pass over the
preceding twelve months. This is usually presented to the winner at
the annual AGM, held in March.
Test Tip 1 - Positioning at Junctions
I'm still somewhat surprised by the number of test canditates who stop in the centre of their lane when held up, for example at traffic lights.
This is something that has been discussed at observer meetings and I know it is being passed on to the associates because they tell me
so during debrief, however for some reason it is the first thing they seem to forget on test.
Taking the example of traffic lights very early during most teastthe a fair proportion of canditates have to stop at the Lydden lights on the
A2 towards Dover. These lights are on a straight stretch of dual carriageway, and approaching traffic is usually at 70mph plus. There is a
second set of lights approximately 300m further on and I usually ask associates to turn right there. As a result most approach the first set
in the offside lane and if the lights are red they clearly have to stop. Now given this set of circumstances, and not wishing to embarrass
anyone, would you really want to stop in the middle of the offside lane.
Using Advanced Riding principals what can be seen. We have a straight stretch of dual carriageway with traffic at high speed. We have a
set of traffic lights on red and lets just assume we have a lorry stopped in lane one. There is a central reservation with railings etc and
traffic moving across the junction ahead. In our mirror we can see approaching traffic.
What can't be seen...well we don't know what the next driver behind us is doing, he may be on the phone, changing a CD, distracted or
even partially sighted (I joke not). We certainly didn't know that the lorry driver two behing him has been held up in traffic all night, is seven
hours overdue his rest break and is rushing to catch the ferry.
What may reasonably be expected to happen? Well the driver on the phone may not see you or the lights, and the lorry driver may not
stop. Given that one of the most common causes of crashes is the tail end charlie at traffic lights I don't think that is unreasonable. If you
have any local knowledge you will know that the A2 runs East/West and in the morning the sun rises directly in the face of drivers
travelling towards Dover. Throw in a little dazzle from a wet road and I'm sure you get the picture....
Taking the above as the "Information" our next feature of the system is position. Where is the safest place to put ourselves so that we can
manage all the identified hazards. I would suggest either tight up against the offside kerb (central reservation), or tight up alongside the
lorry. This way you leave a nice bit gap for anyone who doesn't stop, and if they do stop they won't be directly behind you. Once stopped
keep half an eye on your mirrors and watch the first two or three pull up behind you. You can always nip away a few yards if everything
goes wrong behind you....The easy way to remember it is to never see an empty road. If there was traffic already stopped in both lanes
would you pull up at the back? You would filter down one side or the other towards the front......wouldn't you?
This principal works in all traffic situations, not just traffic lights. Roundabouts are the next favorite but also T junctions and simply being
held up in traffic. The rule to follow is simple, don't stop directly behind, or potentially in front of, another vehicle. Good luck and safe
riding.
Nigel Stevens
Test Tip 2 - Slip Roads
Slip roads onto dual carriageways and motorways are there to be used. They are usually long enough to allow even the most underpowered of
vehicles a reasonable chance of reaching 60/70mph before joining the main carriageway and for a motorcyclist they provide a hive of
opportunity.
The most common point of discussion in debrief is that the candidate has ridden approximately halfway along the slip road, into the zone
separated from the main carriageway by the dotted white line, and then having looked over their shoulder and seen an empty carriageway they
make a course change out into lane one. They do this despite there being no vehicles ahead of them on the slip road, or any coming up behind
them on the main carriageway. The question I always ask, making reference to the system of motorcycle control (IPSGA), is what information
warranted the change of position (or course). If there are no other vehicles to influence the current course why not continue in a straight line and
emerge naturally onto the carriageway at the end of the slip road?
This basic principal can then be developed to introduce opportunity. If you are unfortunate enough to follow a car, van, lorry, or even a slower
motorcycle onto the slip road there is no advantage to be had by staying close behind it. If you do you will have to worry about what they are
doing ahead of you whilst trying to look back down the carriageway. Given the difference in acceleration rates between the average bike and the
average car/van/lorry your riding plan at this stage will probably include some sort of overtaking move. If you can't get past immediately, ie: whilst
still within the protected portion of the slip road (and you frequently can provided it is wide enough) then hang back and let them sort themselves
out. Use this opportunity to get an early view past them of the slip ahead, and also back down the carriageway. If both are clear it is extremely
likely that the vehicle ahead of you is going to pull straight out at their earliest opportunity (as per first paragraph). If they do it is highly probable
that all you will need to do is continue accelerating and go straight past them, using the slip road for exactly what it was designed for and
emerging ahead of them. This move is particularly effective if there is a slower vehicle already in lane one and the vehicle ahead of you pulls out
behind it, the driver then continuing out into lane two in order to overtake and therefore blocking any offside route to you. One word of caution
though, be extra careful if the vehicle you are overtaking is a large vehicle that could possiby be shielding another vehicle. You don't want to
arrive on their front nearside to find no gap, or even another vehicle returning to lane one from the offside.
This may sound all a bit adventurous but if you consider the alternatives it makes sense. Do you really want to be in the position of emerging
onto a dual carriageway into lane one directly behind a slow moving vehicle, and then having to make a separate move out into lane two,
possibly having to try and adjust speed whilst looking in the mirrors and merging with overtaking traffic. It is far easier to merge with traffic ahead
that that coming up behind, but you can only do this if you have allowed space between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
Remember, this tip is not compulsary, and circumstances won't always allow it. Keep it in mind as an option and look for opportunity to use it. It
can be very effective..... as some associates have found out when I do it to them!!
Nigel Stevens
