04 Cornering

Here's my introduction to cornering, covering all the basics - position on approach, speed assessment (including limit point assessment), gear choice, the safe stopping rule and how to balance the car through the corner using steering & acceleration.
I started on the A4212 Bala to Trawsfynydd road, and then three runs at increasing speeds along the wonderful B4391.
When you're practising your cornering, don't start too fast - start at lowers speeds, practice your accuracy and then let the speed build up gradually. Don't go over your or your car's abilities & always make sure you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear!

[@TheGallifrey123]

Great video - difficult to determine your speed though - maybe a little indicator or speedometer just to get an understanding on your speed because you smoothness makes it look like you are doing about 150mph 😉

[@r1chardbwrn]

I did a two day advanced riding course with an ex police motorcyclist instructor; was very shocked at first by what I saw as extreme road positioning, but as the training went on I got to understand when and where it was safe to do it and never but yourself or other drivers, riders at risk. The purpose was to reduce risk which is does when done correctly. Excellent demonstration here and lots of points to learn from.

[@pauldarlington9157]

The IAM, ROSPA and Police Advanced Driving instruction in Scotland no longer teach positioning on the far RHS when cornering. It’s only for Police in England/ Wales and then only when safe.

[@rickh1634]

Great vid Reg, and with Spring just around the corner, seeing my two undisputed favourite roads being driven as they should is making me look forward to the coming months even more. Love the offsiding, I've had a few arguments about that in the past so good to see "official" confirmation of its advantages. 👍👍👍

[@j1bc]

I never knew cornering could be so much fun 😊

[@cristofacar]

Ha! this is great - I have always used the whole road where I can clearly see there is no on-coming traffic - vindicated - ta! And what an amazing road :)

[@simon-mouse8739]

Fantastic drive.

[@carinewalker]

I've driven this road myself, might not sound a big deal, but very rarely get to drive in the UK as I live on the Isle of Man, and I loved it! very interesting to see it in this context and with the commentary.

[@mybighonda]

I really enjoyed that commentary drive thanks Reg.

[@stewroper]

Another great video, by a great driver. 👍🏻

[@RKH8]

Another great video Reg. I echo the thoughts about off siding and would welcome another video that I can recommend to IAM Associates that puts less emphasis on that aspect.

[@doingwellll]

i really like your videos. in india driving is a challenging task and if you still want to enjoy yourself it takes training and a good mind set. your training helps especially when driving a distance

[@kpjjc]

Liking the instruction, however the low camera angle doesn’t give the same visibility to match the commentary! Means I can’t really follow the commentary fully. Really appreciate the series nonetheless!

[@scarabrae]

Lovely video. Enjoyed the drive! Cheers.

[@cofty]

Excellent instruction thanks. That sign at 19:25 was a bit disconcerting! Enjoying the series.

[@benmalone31]

Excellent video, very informative

[@markb4413]

Reg, I like your work so I hope you won't be unduly offended by this. I don't find that the commentary does enough to explain when it is both advantageous and safe to use an offside position on the approach to a left-hander and when it is not. There is a lot of what I am doing, not so much of why. I think it is vital that anybody considering use of an offside position asks themselves each time whether there is any danger of a conflict with someone coming into view in the opposite direction. No oncomer should get a shock, which means that you can only go offside if you already have a long view - in which case the extra vision which you may maintain will only be useful if you are travelling quite fast.

[@RegLocal]

I understand your point Mark and in discussions elsewhere, I've conceded that, perhaps, I chose the wrong road for an "introduction" to cornering. This particular road is so well sighted, with many open corners which are fully visible, that there are far more opportunities to take a full offside position on approach than on most other roads. I believe I gave a full explanation of the advantages of an offside approach in the first part of the video, but I will look to post another video soon which looks at less well-sighted corners, where the furthest you can go offside is a small nip off the centre-line. Let me assure anyone who may be in any doubt - I only ever go offside on approach when I'm certain that there is no possibility that I will come into conflict with other road users. With all that in mind, however, this video isn't just about offside positioning. It covers all the basic principles of good cornering - positioning, speed, gear, safe stopping rule and balance under power.

[@waremark]

+Reg Local Thanks for your excellent reply. I hope the clarification in my comment and in your reply will be helpful.

[@davidbailey1689]

Excellent!

[@MaciejJankowskiPL]

I felt like on the race track.Very fast and very frequently off side.But technically perfect driving.

[@lockenessmotorsports818]

Maciej Jankowski spirited driving the best ;)

[@chrissielarkin6411]

Hi, Reg, loving all your videos and revising so much, again, before my 5-year re-assessment as IAM, NO . One question, the white, Wagon R that you commend for driving at National Speed Limit of 70mph on the Ffestiniog road. 70mph, national limit, single-track??

[@milanap3547]

This is a great content! Thak You for your contribution. This is very usefull

[@Idiot848]

Thanks for the video! Would it be possible to do some night driving tips in the future? In particular down NSL style roads.

[@RegLocal]

Hi, thanks for your feedback. Yes, I'll look to do a night driving video at some point later this year.

[@FOCUSEGO]

I'm a bit nervous about promoting the use of off siding as I doubt the newly qualified or average low mileage driver has the skill of risk assessing what is in front of them and reacting to the unfolding scenario especially where fast-moving motorcycles may be approaching and may be difficult to see. I suppose the message should be if in doubt keep left unless there is an unobstructed view way into the distance. Great videos helping to improve driver skill and the resulting joy of driving.

[@denguefever9489]

Genuine question and not trying to have a dig How come at 11:54 you can take that corner at speed on the crest when you can't see whats round it. What always worries me with this is if there's a cyclist say and a vehicle on the other side of the road.

[@danbit]

Thanks for the video. May I ask, is it legal to cross the broken line as you take the corner? I ask as you're effectively driving into oncoming traffic. Also I thought we must indicate if we cross the line? Thanks from a learner driver 👍

[@padge4112]

Great video as always thanks

[@sueross8500]

Excellent! Would find a video on optimum vehicle control methods when negotiating steep inclines (ascent and descent) very useful

[@chrislaing7153]

I think that a lot of people in the comments need to understand that there are a lot of Gradual Open bends on this route i.e. plenty of visibility. For blind bends, you need to ensure you can always get back to a position of safety, and so would straddle the camber much less. It is all about driving within your abilties to gather and process information (the I of IPSGA), so that you can set the PSG and A appropriately.

[@RegLocal]

All covred in subsequent videos Chris. Try these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmKWdmqlqpJ1nrs kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqiYep2vg655mKc kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYinaIaEipmYjtU kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4jKl4RtqLxofJI

[@h533feg]

Hi Reg, you say you can brake quite hard in a corner but in mid engine vehicles I believe that can generate snap oversteer can it not? I've recently bought a light mid engine car and am using your videos to improve my driving but am quite nervous of lift off/snap oversteer.

[@estorilvideo]

Where in the UK is the speed limit 70 mph on a single carriageway road? I'm referring to your comment at 33:15, surely it should be 60 mph?

[@RegLocal]

Ooh, I know this one! The Walton Summit to J9 M61 link road in Lancashire! Do I win a prize?!

[@estorilvideo]

+Reg Local Well, I didn't know that, so well done and go and select yourself a prize! I just wanted to check I hadn't missed a (massive) change in UK law...looks like I didn't then...

[@skytrucker87]

Hi Reg. When you started the overtake of the Vauxhall, (16:03) could you actually see that the road ahead was clear? Probably the camera couldn't see what you saw but it looked as if the summit of the rise blocked the view. Love the videos by the way!

[@RegLocal]

Yes. The camera was mounted very low on the front of the car in this video.

[@bp19870]

Just out of curiosity, Reg. If a police car is following you and you decide to take the offside position on a road and you follow the 3 rules highlighted in the videos. Can they still pull you over or will they not mind if it's been done safely?

[@RegLocal]

There really wouldn't be any need to pull you over Ben

[@supertouring22]

good choice of road

[@rabp419]

Any chance of doing a eco drive showing driving how to save fuel

[@RegLocal]

Why? Would you believe it?

[@Mike_5]

this is very good but how about a diesel versus petrol version - there are obvious differences in terms of advised driving style

[@RegLocal]

Hi, there is no fundamental difference in technique between diesel and petrol powered cars. Choice of gear may be slightly diferent due to the low-rev torque characteristics of diesel-engined cars, but the techniques don't change - position on approach, speed assessment, gear selection and then accelerate through and out of the corner. Diesel, petrol, electric or hydrogen powered, the technique is the same (and yes, I know electric cars don't have gears, but you tet my point).

[@Mike_5]

thanks that is very interesting

[@grahamnutt8958]

👍👍.

[@rabp419]

I have spoken to police Scotland ref offsiding And have informed me that under no circumstances should you offside you should drive up to the white line making sure it's safe to do so with no on coming traffic .

[@RegLocal]

You’re flogging a dead horse Rab - give it up. You’re wrong, “Police Scotland” are wrong & I’ve even sent you a link to my video on offsiding which shows in minute detail how wrong you are & you still want to argue about it. Are you Donald Trump?

[@rabp419]

@@RegLocal Lol 😂 I have passed on your reply to Police Scotland driving training I'm sure you get will be in contact good luck with the new book

[@mybighonda]

@@rabp419 Do you ever let up?

[@pauljoe780]

Before using the offside you MUST KNOW about any turnings AND DRIVEWAYS/FOOTPATHS on the offside. drivers, pedestrians and horse-riders may not look left before they enter the major road that you are on. And may not expect a vehicle to be coming from the left from their point of view. You should ask yourself "Is my observation perfect? AND Is my local knowledge perfect?" If the answer to either or both is "No", then KEEP LEFT.

[@RegLocal]

Paul, I think you need to calm down a bit before you do yourself an injury.

[@pauljoe780]

Cottages have driveways and gates. Slow down for them, they are a "hazard" technically.

[@pauljoe780]

You should ask yourself "Is my observation perfect? AND Is my local knowledge perfect?" If the answer to either or both is "No", then KEEP LEFT.

[@RegLocal]

Yes, I heard you the first time Paul. There’s no need to shout.

[@judgedredd49]

There are some nearly 40 million vehicle on our roads and i have to ask the question. Would we like to see then all taking bends or driving on the wrong side of the road. Its not an offence but would be taken into account in the event of something untowards happening. Think about it. I don't think it would be practically safe for all of us to do so. You might defend this by arguing that you are safe doing it and obviously would defend it but what would you think if you were on the receiving end of someone driving towards you and your family on the wrong side of a road or bend and with a combined speed of 120 mph. or more. I don't think you would like it. When this practise was first introduced in the police service only, it was in their first Driving manual and for their use only. It was in 1937 and in those days there were only about 4 million vehicles and all the roads were much fre er of traffic and there was no speed limit so one could take a bend at whatever speed one wanted to or could. However in those days by far the greatest number of motorised vehicles would have been motorcycles as very few people had cars, not until the early 60/s So basically advanced driving was intended primarily for police and emergency services only as far too many of them were being killed on our roads by driving at high speeds and some formal training was desirable in order to reduce that carnage. Remember that being able to do whatever speed one can do meant that there were no speed limits out of towns and one could take bends far faster but not necessarily safer than we can today with the speed restrictions in the mid 1960's in place to help keep us safer. Bends at speeds meant that the police could use all of the road or move position around and sometimes use all of the road in order to attend when an emergency or pursuit may make it necessary. We no longer can drive or ride at these much higher speeds and so we have no need to see as far nowadays as our ancestors could or needed to as the maximum speed allowed now is far less than when there was no speed limit. A time in the past when further vision would have been an advantage but as said it is not necessarily so nowadays.

[@rabp419]

Never ever drive your vehicle on the opposite carriage way

[@RegLocal]

Really? Never? Ever? Your journeys must be very tedious. How do you deal with parked vehicles?

[@rabp419]

@@RegLocal my journey great there is a time and place you were driving on opposite carriage way for no reason I'm sure if a police officer was following they would have pulled you I myself am IAM advance driver also HGV class 1 advance driver and driving assessor

[@RegLocal]

Gosh. Perhaps an apology is due - I hadn’t realised you’re such an expert Rab. My question still stands though - in your comment, you said you should “never ever drive your vehicle on the opposite carriage way” - is this what they teach in the IAM? If so (genuine question), how do you deal with parked vehicles?

[@rabp419]

@@RegLocal you position your vehicle in such a way you pass the parked vehicle in a safe manner watching for doors opening or vehicle pulling off without signing Your saying that I should use the opposite carriageway if it's safe to do so when cornering in my 30 years of driving experience I have never been shown or told to use the opposite carriage way . I have a driving assistant next week and will ask my DVSA driving exsamer if this is correct

[@RegLocal]

Oh, right, so you’re not actually sure whether you’re right or not then Rab? Let me help you out then. I’m an ex police traffic officer, ex police driving instructor, current IAM car & bike examiner, author of two advanced driving books, cycling proficiency (gold star), green & red stripes (length & width at Brinscall baths) and Lancs BMX Winter series winner 1982 & 1983. Now I’ve established my qualifications, I’ll inform you that you’re wrong. Completely wrong in every way in fact. I’ve even made a video on the subject so you can check just how wrongly wrong you are: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4jKl4RtqLxofJI You’re welcome. Oh, and it’s “advanced” driving as in “advanced level of skill & knowledge” not “advance” driving as in “advance & retard”. So, instead of trolling KZbin videos, spouting rubbish, how about keeping your incorrect assumptions to yourself & toddling off to watch some cartoons? Thanks for watching though - don’t forget to subscribe!

[@derekperkins7343]

I've learned a lot from your previous videos BUT! there's far too much out of own lane in this video for me. Maybe the camera angle and field of view are deceptive- maybe it's that I've had a car written off in a 'no fault' head on by someone without your skills, experience and ability and I'm a bit sensitive. It's interesting that the road your on is a well known wannabe race circuit and both cars and bikes regularly come to grief here. It's a wonderful area: unless you're an emergency service driver why not take it a bit easier and admire the scenery.