Commentary driving 4 – Starting to make sense...
This section is designed to help you to further develop your commentary driving.
If you have practised the first commentary driving exercise as directed, you should now be able to pick out road signs and markings well ahead as you drive along the road.
The next step in developing your commentary is the inclusion of any action that you will take to deal with the hazard that is indicated by the signs, or controlled by the road markings.
For example in the situation shown in the picture, the driver might say: "The sign says go, I'm checking to see if it is safe to proceed..."
As this starts to flow naturally, you can add more information.
Every time you go out driving, over the next week, spend about ten minutes of the drive looking out for road signs and markings and saying the name of each out loud as you spot it – in exactly the same way as you did for the first commentary project.
However, this time for every second sign, or set of markings, you will start to add information relating to your use of the MSPSG routine (Mirrors, Signal, position, Speed, Gear.
Example:
"Roundabout sign, checking my mirror, giving a left turn signal as I pass the sign, maintaining my left lane position and slowing down as I approach the hazard warning lines, selecting second gear and following direction sign for Buxton."
You will see from the example that you now say what you see and what you are doing, as you seeing and doing it.
Keep your commentary in the present tense. Avoid talking about what has happened or what is going to (or might) happen. Simply say what you are seeing and doing.
As with the first commentary project, continue with your 'curiosity' about signs and markings, considering their relevance and position. How helpful are they to you as a driver? Remember that you need to answer questions about "What?" "When?" "Where?" "How?" and "Why?"
Important note
These commentary exercises are kept deliberately 'easy' and build in steps as you progress.
If you succumb to the temptation of trying to do too much, or to allow your commentary to become over-complex you may encounter difficulties.
If you have not already done so, print and complete your Training Outcomes Worksheet for this unit before going out on your practise drives.
When you are confident that you have achieved the points above, print out and complete your Training Achievements Log before moving on to the next unit.