An old-timer and a learner get put to the test by Stuart Witts of IAM
Driver: Patrick Logue
Years Driving: 11
Licence: Full
Getting my driving scrutinised for a second time, this time by Stuart Witts of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), was no less frightening than first time out.
Of course, the jitters were not helped by the fact that I hadn't so much as flicked through a copy of the Rules of the Road for well over a decade and the only test practice I had actively engaged in recently was while driving a couple of kilometres to the train station on the morning of the assessment.
With this in my mind, we pulled into Dublin's afternoon traffic. In the short and uneventful journey from Merrion Square to Ballsbridge he was able to tell me that it was obvious I had "some experience of driving." Afterwards he said there were "a couple of things" I was doing that "may be putting you more at risk than you need to be."
"The areas where you are missing out, are the areas you can't see in the mirrors, called blind spots," said Witts.
"So what's happening in those areas is what might catch you out when you're changing your position on the road."
Not only that, but after a total of 14 years behind the wheel, Witts deflated my ego a little by telling me: "You are compromising your safety on the right-hand side," by driving too close to oncoming traffic.
I managed speed well and anticipated problems ahead, but my use of the handbrake was "hit and miss" and I tended to drive too close to the car in front at times.
Would I pass a test if I were to sit one in the morning? Witts is reluctant to call it but did say, based on what he had seen, I would have a "fair chance of success."
Maybe in another 11 years the odds will shorten.
Driver: John Downes
Years driving: <1
Licence: Provisional
I have been learning to drive intermittently since before Christmas, having received around 10 lessons from a qualified instructor. This led me to buy my first car in January.
Nevertheless, I suspected beforehand that I have a lot to learn - a fact which was soon underlined when we set off on our journey around Ballsbridge. It takes time to get used to a car which you have never driven before, but nevertheless, sitting in the passenger seat beside me, Witts soon appeared (to me at least) relieved to have the option of using his dual controls.
As I stopped and started while we made our way through the lines of traffic, I recalled what Witts had confided prior to my taking the wheels: anyone can do what they think the tester expects of them for a while, but after an extended period of time in the car, many will start to relax a little. It is then that any bad old habits can emerge.
Afterwards, he is unflinching in his assessment. Key areas such as observation and my ability to pre-empt upcoming situations leave much room for improvement. As Witts put it, I am spending much of my time concentrating on actually making the car move, rather than planning ahead.
When pushed to call it either way, he eventually acknowledges that, on the basis of this brief analysis of my driving, I would have little or no chance of passing my test. Few surprises there.
If anything, my time with Witts has served to underline what I already suspected regarding my abilities as a driver.
I have yet to even consider applying for my test and will be driving with an experienced driver for some time to come. I also intend to take further driving lessons with a qualified instructor.