Learning Point 438 | Best Flow

An older clip when I had the golf of me teaching Owen, but a very important message included.

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[Slaeowulf]

"It will when I get used to it"

Excellent attitude from that young man. Not just mindlessly agreeing but actually processing what he's been told. Bravo.

[hippopotamus]

I remember my early lessons being very mentally tiring. I couldn't see how people could drive like that paying so much attention to everything that's going on. But it's amazing how you adapt and almost don't need to think about things as your brain learns what's important or not.

[MikeRox]

I've been driving 9 years now but I still watch these to keep my head fresh. "You didn't check your left mirror." observation reminders I find really help keep me in check even now. So easy to slip into complacancy.

[GeorgeThoughts]

I'm just so here for Ashley's instant switch from jokey advice regarding the gas and corner at 3:49 to INSTANTLY on-it and giving rapid but clear instructions to deal with the Ambulance. His tone of voice remains calm but authoritative throughout and is very clear. The pupil did really well too, instantly switched on and heeding Ashley's advice! Love it, I watched it 3 times haha

[ibs]

At around 3:58 with the oncoming ambulance. Excellent point about moving forward so that the car behind "can fit in with us". I often use the same principle on narrow country lanes when there's an oncoming car, a car behind me and a passing place on the left. It sometimes also means a bit of juggling about forwards to squeeze past the oncoming car so that the car behind can then fit in the short passing place.

All the extra "bonus points" mentioned about dealing with emergency vehicles was also excellent. Namely not to panic and just suddenly stop as well as checking left mirror before pulling in. One difference in Canada and USA is the requirement to pull over and stop for emergency vehicles in every situation but not a requirement in the UK to always stop.

[michaelkelly]

I believe it would be phenomenal to see a series like this broadcast on television. TV remains one of the most powerful mediums for educating the general public, and your insights and approach to driving etiquette are invaluable. Your calm and positive attitude while driving sets an excellent example for others to follow.

Consider the ripple effect of a drive filled with tension and frustration. Most people start their day in their car. It can lead to a more stressful day at work, negatively impacting your interactions with colleagues, and eventually affecting your home life as well. This stress then radiates to others around you, creating a cyclic effect that amplifies negativity and tension in broader circles. By promoting a more mindful and considerate driving culture, you are not just improving individual lives but contributing to a more harmonious society as a whole. Keep up the fantastic work!

[PedroConejo]

Dealing with ambulances can be difficult because of the reactions of other drivers. I've indicated, pulled over, with a full load of blue lights coming towards me, only to have the car behind try to pass me, straight into the path of the ambulance; I've pulled over and stopped (you don't want to drive in the gutter round here anymore than strictly necessary) only to have a car going the other way stop exactly opposite me, thus blocking the road; and I've had people try to overtake as I'm pulling away after letting the ambulance through. That's not to mention the panic stop mob. If you take the time to think about what you're doing when you meet an ESV, you'll quickly realise how many drivers haven't a single thought impulse jumping across their synapses.
I'm glad to see at least some learners are being taught what to do. It should be a significant part of the test, with dynamic questions (How would you deal with a fire engine here?).

[JohnWThwaites]

I'm now over 70 years old and at one time have driven HGVs for a living. Even with over 50 years driving experience I find videos like this very useful.

[ibs]

At about 2:57 re Ashley commenting he tends to stick his thumb up to the right hand window. Yes I noticed this in several other Ashley videos and can almost hear him say "You're alright mate". Ashley has perfected his timing with this. I should consider that thumbs up myself in appropriate situations.

[JenSai]

The other day I slowed a little, to potentially allow a car in the left lane to join my lane, I was shocked but pleased to see the guy to MY right leaving ME a space to move to if needed 🥺
I didn't have to move over in the end, but I gave the guy a thumbs up as he passed me
It's nice to see more drivers also figuring out what might be best for flow, instead of the usual 'must get ahead' attitude.

I wonder if they also watch your channel? 😅

[ShadowReaperX]

More Kudos to the White Van Man
Interesting to note, caught at ~3:22, left side, look between the trees, the blue car essentially pulls out on him, but he made it a complete non-event as he's seemingly well aware of everything going on around him, and changes lanes back to the right hand side, before overtaking the blue car.
It isn't the biggest of mistakes by the blue car, you might argue it was more of a cheeky 'push', but it would have required the van to slow down (brake) as he was clearly catching him and would have occupied that space, seen by how quickly he is able to overtake after and move back to the left lane.
It was quick but i'm sure your pupil these days would be more likely to have caught it (3:29) "What was he doing then", a quick little moment, but that looking ahead will come.

Good attitude of the student.

[Enjay]

_"You need to act quickly, but you can't panic with it."_


Perfect.

Just having that explicitly pointed out in that way: simply and nice and clearly, will help to remove the tendency to panic that some people, understandably, have in such a situation. You need to act quickly, but you must stay in control of your actions while acting quickly, rather than let panic dictate them.


Psychologically, the way Ashley puts it almost gives the driver "permission" to ignore their natural inclination to panic. That'll stick in their mind.

I'll probably use it myself when I'm in a car with inexperienced drivers, or drivers lacking confidence. (I'm not a driving instructor, and don't try to teach driving, but I am often with inexperienced drivers and we usually have an ongoing discussion about driving (as well as other things, of course) when I'm with them.)

[robg]

4:01. Stop to give way with looking behind, …. you often get this in the centre of town in the little back streets, you see a line of cars coming the other way so hold back and stop to let them through,
But the leading car stops before the pinch point and gestures for you to come through oblivious to the cars behind them blocking the route.
You then have to start waving at them to look at the cars behind them.

[robg]

1:53, cars stopped in the slip road, for me the alarm bells would have been ringing here.
Unusual place to stop and one of them was sticking out into the carriageway with someone walking around the car.
[ I would have given then the last car sticking out a wide berth.]

[sgkingly]

You seem like such a great teacher on lessons

[smilerbob]

Good advice on flow especially with blue lights. The panic from some people can hinder flow for everyone especially when drivere just stop (our roads aren’t bigger like America so we cannot always do that), or worse still attempt an overtake as you move left for one approaching from behind cutting up the emergency vehicle

Pay attention out there and use all of your surroundings to aid and assist

[davidthornton]

This is a cracking video. Anyone else wish Ashley was their driving instructor? 😂

[thomaselliot]

Ashley's best demonstration of his ability, in his flowing words, to get the best out of his pupil to get the best understanding of the importance of best flow of traffic by best interaction of the situation around by the best driving.

[mdperpe]

There are a lot of emergency vehicle POV videos on YouTube. I think that it can be good to watch some of them to learn how to help emergency vehicles to pass. Perhaps someone could make a video collecting some good and some bad decisions people have made (not to blame those who made bad decisions; they probably panicked a bit).

[LewisSkinner]

That's a lot crammed into less than 6 minutes. Wow.

Great video!