Improving observations

prog324

Hi everyone,

I've got my driving test in a few weeks. I'm having a little trouble with my observations. I have excellent car control skills but my instructor has pointed I forget to regularly check my blind spots.

Does anyone have any tips for improving this? Or is just a case of practising allot?

Thanks in advance.

scooby75

Practice. Make sure your mirrors are positioned correctly. You should not have to move your head to look into them (and despite what other people say, your examiner will not need to see you moving your head either - they will now whether or not you are checking your mirrors).

Check all your mirrors regularly - a quick glance every now and then to see what's going on around you.

You just need to remember that when you perform a maneuver, it's your responsibility to make sure it is safe to do so. So a little bit beforehand, have a quick look at mirrors to get an idea of what's around you. Then, just before the maneuver, do a proper check, including looking over your shoulder.

Just remember, mirror, signal, manouver.

NBLondon

My driving instructor used to check I did it by every so often asking what colour/make the car immediately behind was.

Euphoria1z

most people when putting there seatbelts on will slightly turn around to see the seatbelt, use this to look around the blind spot, and it could also act as a reminder that you need to check your blind spot on both sides.

other than that, you just need to do things in order and if done daily youll just get used to it.

flubberyzing

It is something that just comes with practise.

I remember when I learnt to drive, it felt like I spent more time looking behind me than I did actually looking where I was going! But I suppose it taught the very important skill of being aware of what other people are doing.
Sometimes, other drivers do incredibly stupid things on the road, and you'll need your wits and observational skills about you to react appropriately.
All the "excellent car control" skills in the world won't save you when a foreign lorry driver cuts you up on the motorway.

oldtoolie

Talk to yourself -- vocalise the actions you are taking.

mkirkby

prog324 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I've got my driving test in a few weeks. I'm having a little trouble with my observations. I have excellent car control skills but my instructor has pointed I forget to regularly check my blind spots.

Does anyone have any tips for improving this? Or is just a case of practising allot?

Thanks in advance.

Take a CBT on a motorbike/scooter. You'll soon get used to looking around.

& no, I'm not joking either.

Weird_Nev

Mirrors. The moment you find yourself not doing anything else, Think "mirrors" and check all 3 mirrors in sequence (left, middle, right), then reset your eyes on the horizon and scan backwards torwards you for hazards coming up. Repeat this until it becomes innate.

In advanced driving school you have to give a verbal commentary as you drive to explain what you are thinking and doing and why. It's a non stop verbal flow of "mirror looking ahead I can see a roundabout mirrors moving to lane two blindspot check mirrors slowing vehicle and scanning to the right, first point of danger, at this time roundabout and entrances look clear mirrors, vehicle is at correct speed for hazard, 25 miles an hour, selecting second gear mirrors, and final checks right planing to stop but looking to go, clear to go, and onto roundabout in lane two for second exit, mirrors..."

The whole thing is littered with "mirrors"
Whenever you are moving the car laterally or making a turn (not negotiating a bend, making a turn) you should incorporate numerous mirror checks (remember to look, not to glance) into the planning phase, and a blind spot check into the final phase before executing the manouver to ensure that one of those pesky cyclists or power rangers hasn't snuck into your blind spot without you being aware.

If you're not thinking or doing anything else, think mirrors. You develop a sense of all around awareness with practice, where things moving in your mirrors trigger a corner-of-the-eye response to have a better look and you'll find things don't sneak up on you from behind any more.