MSM Practise
This project/practise session is designed to further raise your awareness of the importance of a routine approach to hazards and to develop your MSM skills.
It is important to avoid the trap of thinking that MSM is easy and doesn't require much practise or that it is something that is only needed by novice drivers - nothing could be further from the truth.
While the MSM routine might be easy once it has been fully mastered, it must become habitual and instinctive in order to pass your advanced driving test.
Complete mastery of a routine approach to hazards is one of the most important factors in becoming an advanced driver.
Only tick off the achievement targets on the project sheet (download below) when you are absolutely sure that that aspect of the routine has become part of your normal driving pattern.
Download the project sheet here
Get into the routine
As explained earlier, a routine approach to your driving will ensure that you are always travelling at the correct speed, in the correct position with the correct gear engaged when you encounter a hazard. This session guides you through use of the MSPSG routine to deal with left and right turns and other hazards.
Start by using the scaling 'self-discovery' method to highlight any particular strong or weak aspects of your current driving with regard to the MSM routine.
Time/route
You should do at least 3 x 1 hour practice drives on an urban or suburban route about two miles long with several junctions, parked cars, pedestrian crossings, etc.
Read the achievement targets before you start your drive.
After the drive, read the targets again, this time tick off the things that you are happy with.
For some it may take quite a lot of practise before they can consider ticking off all the targets. The time it takes is not the important factor – take as long as necessary. The targets are shown below.
When using the MSPSG routine I always:
- Use my mirrors early
- Give a correct and well timed signal if/when required
- Take up a safe and correct road position after considering my signal
- Approach hazards slowly enough to stop safely when necessary
- Select the correct gear in good time, using selective gear changes where appropriate
- Consider each feature of the routine in the correct order
- Start the system early enough to deal safely and efficiently with hazards
This concludes the section on the MSM routine. Because a routine approach is key to passing advanced tests and keeping yourself and your family safe in the car, you might want to go through the whole section again, at least once.
Next: Mental rehearsal - a method to help you improve your driving and prepare for tests.