The Enforcer
I was taught just that by a PSV instructor when preparing for MiDAS (Minibus Drivers Awareness Scheme) test about five years ago in order to drive Local Authority Minibuses.
My standard approach when getting to a roundabout junction (presumably taught by my original driving instructor 11 years ago) had always been to slow down and change into 2nd as I got to the junction, ready to either continue or stop as appropriate.
The MiDAS instructor insisted that I should approach in whatever gear I'd been driving in (e.g. 5th), keeping both hands on the wheel, the depress the clutch just before the engine stalled due to low revs and coast up to the line, the idea being that you only take your hands off the wheel once you've stopped to apply the handbrake, THEN put the vehicle into neutral. If it was clear to go, without stopping first, you'd change into 2nd after coasting up, and carry on.
I could see the point in that the most important thing to do for pbuttenger safety is to apply the handbrake, so it makes sense to do that first before worrying about gears, but it felt wrong to me (and still does) to be coasting up to a junction.
Steve.
