National Driver Improvement Scheme

[TwoSugars]

Hi all, heard today I have to do this NDIS because of the crash I had. If I dont then I have to go to court for due care and get points and fine so me thinks I will taking the driving! Any 1 ever been on this? If so what can I expect? Is it an actual test or more like the pass plus?

-TS

 

[Bryan]

this is an assessment of your driving abilitites, not really anything like pass plus

but basically they assess your driving, then continue to monitor your driving after they have advised you on what youre doing wrong

and they will find a lot of things wrong

 

[black kro]

I used to run these in Northants.

MUCH better than points - very relaxed and lots of group work such as crash scenarios and chats about what makes a good driver?.

You should get some good driving tips - the Tutors are hand-picked top tutors (many with skid school, rally school, advanced motiring experience etc.)

TAKE PART or you can get a non-completion, you should enjoy it actually!

Dave

 

[TwoSugars]

Thanks black Kro. Can you tell me if its a pass/fail kind of situation? Taking part is no problem as I am kind of an outgoing person (so ive been told).

-TS

 

[dk]

Did this about 3 years ago after a crash I had and it wasnt too bad, just like going to driving school again for 2 days. Did some theory work, looking at slides and naming possible hazards within a situation and recognising dangerous situations and how to drive defensively!

Then I went out with a driving instructor at the end of the first day for them to see what you are like and then on the second day you have to have improved based on what you have learnt. Quite fun, relaxed atmosphere, bit like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting (not that I have ever been to one!) admiting what you did etc....

Nothing to worry about.

 

[CUP80Y]

I did a Speed workshop instead of taking 3 points - was very interesting, and I agree - was very similar to A/A, sitting around in groups chatting - only this time its more Narcotics Annonymous....................

"Hello my names CUP80Y, and im addicted to speed!!

 

[sn00p]

Been there. Done it, no problem.

prepare for lots of boy racers! Theyll talk loads of crap about how you should be looking out for people 3 cars back ("Its ok officer, when I hit the car infront I was looking 3 cars back to check that they wernt going to have an accident").

Like dave said, hazard recognition is the major thing, they show you footage of cars, just so happen that all the footage they showed when I did it was of roads that I knew (and a couple of other people), so we sat there shouting out stuff before you could see it on the video! Quite amusing.... They also did "scenearios" of real crashes in the county, where they had toy cars and mats and they described what had happened and you had to put everything in the right place and then say who was to blame for the accident....

Theyll probably say something like "there will be a quiz tomorrow" and everyone will say "Can I fail?" (Hint: word is QUIZ!)... Mostly common sense stuff.

You get to go out for a drive (2 instructors, 2 "pupils"), but we basically went for a 10 minute drive, the guy takes your driving apart (Bizarre, mine said dont change gear as you approach a roundabout? Personally Id rather have the car under engine control....), then we went and sat in a coffee shop in a garden centre for 40 minutes, then the other person drove back to the centre...

We didnt have to say what wed done, like dave said, relaxed atomosphere and was actually pretty fun, apart from the other driver I was with having to be dual braked because he tried to pull out of a junction with a car maybe 30-40 metres away doing 40+ mph!)....he didnt fail either.

As long as you make some amount of effort youll be fine. Btw, where are you doing it?

Adrian

 

[dk]

when I did mine I went out with two 60+ men and it was VERY Scarey, no way they should have been let loose on their own! I was told not to indicate when I am overtaking parked cars but was told to do that when I had driving lessons so I kept indicating and he kept telling me not to, but when you have been doing it for 10 years its hard to stop - and its not as if I was doing anyhting wrong really, as far as I was concerned it was to inform drivers following me that we were about to overtake incase they hadnt seen the parked car - anyway rant over, I still indicate today as I feel its right What does some advanced driving instructor know anyway!

 

[TwoSugars]

Hi sn00p, I will be doing it around the sunderland/durham area I think. What did you mean about this Quiz? Do they call it a quiz to calm you down when its actually a TEST?



-TS

 

[Brazo]

Quote: Originally posted by dave182 on 17 February 2004

when I did mine I went out with two 60+ men and it was VERY Scarey, no way they should have been let loose on their own! I was told not to indicate when I am overtaking parked cars but was told to do that when I had driving lessons so I kept indicating and he kept telling me not to, but when you have been doing it for 10 years its hard to stop - and its not as if I was doing anyhting wrong really, as far as I was concerned it was to inform drivers following me that we were about to overtake incase they hadnt seen the parked car - anyway rant over, I still indicate today as I feel its right What does some advanced driving instructor know anyway!

They were probs talking about a term called signal clutter. This is when a driver signals L/R without looking to see if it will benefit another road user. For example signalling L/R could mean to overtake or park or pull off as well as turning L/R.

If you are approaching a hazard such as a lorry on your side its probably obvious to driver behind that you will slow or overtake it as you would be silly to drive into it. If however the hazard was alot smaller and driver behind you coulnt see it then using your indicaters would warn him and other road users that you are about to pull out.

Try reading Roadcraft the police drivers handbook.

 

[sn00p]

TwoSugars. Its a quiz and not a test, they said to us "quiz tomorrow morning" but they refused to answer any questions about it being a pass fail, but the word quiz implies fun!

It was stuff like, "what sequence do traffic lights go at a pedestrian crossing", "whats the outside lane for on a dual carriageway" etc. They might not do it, I think theres a general "course" outline but itll vary.... Theres nothing to worry about, turn up, take part, go home..... Its not a pass/fail kind of thing, except in the situation where you turn up just to avoid points/fine and sit there all day and dont contribute, thats the only time Im aware that theyll fail you (or if you dont actually turn up!).

A mate of mine has also done it (Cambridge same as me) and his was with different people, but the content was the same.

Theyve got a website with information about the structure of the course (should have been on the letter you received), have a look, its exactly as its described on the website. I cant remember the website, but you can find it by google otherwise.

Adrian

 

[telford_mike]

website http://www.driver-improvement.org.uk/here

 

[TwoSugars]

Thanks to all who posted. I feel a wee bit better now about having to take this thing. All because of a seconds lapse in concentration too..still, could have been worse )

-TS

 

[toonboy]

more worrying, how come so many of you know about this

 

[TwoSugars]

Actually, just thought of another question. Seeing as I will be improvong my driving (humm). Will insurance companies give me a bit of a discount because of this course?

Wishful thinking maybe....lol

-TS

 

[sn00p]

Quote: Originally posted by toonboy on 17 February 2004

more worrying, how come so many of you know about this

hehe...you dont have to do an awful lot to get reported for "driving without due care and attention" - theres no way in hell theyd get me for that , but as it turns out spending £160 on the course was cheaper than spending £135/hour on my solicitor....

(Plus you get a free pen & highway code)

Adrian

 

[Deeg]

If you all dont mind me asking, what were the situations of your accidents, i got 5 points for a multiple vehicle, which i still believe was the fault of the Police, because the lazy traffic cop couldnt be bothered coning a hazzard off properly or staying with the hazzard, proably had a game of snooker to get to.

I was told when i was cautioned that i would probably be eligable for this, as i was a young driver with no previous points, and it was "better to teach you to driver properly than give you points", however the CPS saw ££££ signs.

I personally think this is a brilliant idea, (not so much the speed awareness course), but this lets people learn from their mistakes as apposed to points which makes every one a jumpy driver always looking for speed cameras and traps.

 

[TwoSugars]

Hi Deeg, My crash was a stupid right turn at a junction. Car smashed into the side of me. I have not received a letter yet but I rang the police and they said the descion maker has decided that I could go on this course. I think they said summit about the other person who I crashed into agreeing with it first tho?

-TS

 

[dk]

was on a dual cariageway in the right hand lane and as I went round a left hand bend bend a lorry on the inside lane ran wide and clipped my rear alloy and I span in front of it an piled in to some trees at the side of the road at about 70mph. Didnt brake as I was knocked out from the initial impact and went through 2 trees and was stopped when I hit a tree side ways on in the drivers door which nearly split the car in 2! I was saved by the airbag and near enough walked away although I had to be cut out of the car and ambulanced to hospital closing the road for 2 hours and causing traffic chaos with fire rescue etc. I was interviewed by the police at the hospital and was still dazed and said I couldnt remember the accident but that I could have gone too close to the lorry and the lorry driver said I hit him! Afterwards I remembered what happened but the Police wouldnt listen and said that I either have the CPS possibly convict me of driving without due care and attention or take the course, so I just saw it as the easy way out and would be less hassle and probably cost me less than fighting it. Took it as a slap on the wrist and that was the end of it.

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1069783574__car3.jpghttp://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1069783574__car3.jpg

 

[Deeg]

Glad to hear your ok after that, mine was on a dual carridge way, in the inside land, doing bout 50, saw an obstruction ahead, tried to pull out to overtake, and someone pulled out infront of me, i hit them, then was hit from behind by another 2 cars. I got straight out the car perfectly fine, the people in the car infront of me had minor injuries, and a biker that was going too fast and following too close was quite badly hurt.

Police interviewed me 5 months later, when they said they would come to see within 3 weeks. By that time i had forgotten most of what had happened, said they were coming for a "chat", got here, took notes of everything i said, then cautioned me.

Went to court, and found out that the Police had told all the other witnesses what to write in their statements and they had all been seen a within a month after the accident.

I feel sorry for the biker guy, but i dont think it was my fault, as he hit a vehicle behind mine.

I think i was just seen as the easiest peron to charge, being young, on a 6 point licence and what have you. But what really p1ssed me off about the accident was that i used the road every week day in the 9 months leading up to the accident, and had i been doing my usual 70 (ish) down the outside lane over taking, i would ahve been fine.

I caused asolute traffic cahos as well, if anyone is from Nottingham, i was the person (according to the Police and CPS) who shut the A610 for 6 hours about a year and a half ago.

 

[dk]

the annoying thing with mine was that it was a pointless journey, I had the day off work and just decided to go to the cinema, what a bad choice! These things happen though and at the end of the day, as long as everyone is OK, who gives a sh*t about the metal, its the lives that are the things we should worry about, a car is no good to you dead, harsh but true.

 

[TwoSugars]

Well people, the time has come! I am off 2moro for this NDIS course. Its a bit of a bummer as I have to drive like 45 mins to get their and I dont know the area at all (Newton Aycliffe).

Wish me luck!

-TS

 

[black kro]

good luck!

youll be fine - piece o pis*

 

[TheRoninV6]

Quote: Originally posted by Deeg on 17 February 2004


Glad to hear your ok after that, mine was on a dual carridge way, in the inside land, doing bout 50, saw an obstruction ahead, tried to pull out to overtake, and someone pulled out infront of me, i hit them, then was hit from behind by another 2 cars. I got straight out the car perfectly fine, the people in the car infront of me had minor injuries, and a biker that was going too fast and following too close was quite badly hurt.

Police interviewed me 5 months later, when they said they would come to see within 3 weeks. By that time i had forgotten most of what had happened, said they were coming for a "chat", got here, took notes of everything i said, then cautioned me.

Went to court, and found out that the Police had told all the other witnesses what to write in their statements and they had all been seen a within a month after the accident.

I feel sorry for the biker guy, but i dont think it was my fault, as he hit a vehicle behind mine.

I think i was just seen as the easiest peron to charge, being young, on a 6 point licence and what have you. But what really p1ssed me off about the accident was that i used the road every week day in the 9 months leading up to the accident, and had i been doing my usual 70 (ish) down the outside lane over taking, i would ahve been fine.

I caused asolute traffic cahos as well, if anyone is from Nottingham, i was the person (according to the Police and CPS) who shut the A610 for 6 hours about a year and a half ago.

so it was you was it I live 2 minutes from the A610

 

[TwoSugars]

Thanks for all ya help. Just got all my licence stuff ready for 2moro. I was looking over the schedule for the days and on day 2 it says Theory Test. I thope to hell this is just like a quiz!

Anyway, thanks again

-TS

 

[Deeg]

so it was you was it I live 2 minutes from the A610

LOL.

Sorry mate, i fealt quite bad about that, they had to re-direct traffic through everywhere, Eastwood, Ilkeston, back into Nottingham, down and up the M1.

I must have pissed off so many people that day.

Well, my apologies, but blame the person in the blue fiesta.

 

[riplash]

Im hoping that Ill get this option instead of court for my accident.

 

[TwoSugars]

Hi all, well, just finished the course. It was actually oretty good! I did learn some stuff and the people were cool. If any 1 gets the chance to go on this, it is much better than getting points/conviction.

-TS