Adrian
I totally agree with you. I wouldn't put a discussion about oversteer-understeer in there though - the student has enough to be going on with. However, it really depends on skill level of the pupil - no doubt I will introduce it for those pupils that pick up the fundamentals quickly and have spare capacity.
There are plenty of skills not part of the course. However, I don't believe in just teaching the mechanics of driving just to pbutt the test. As soon as the student is able I will start introducing observation and anticipation into the drive.
"What that in the distance?" "Is it a crossing?" "Yes it is, do you know what type?" "Oh, it is a zebra" "yes, well done - are there any pedestrians approaching the crossing"... "If there are some pedestrians, what may we need to do" ... "where may we need to look"...
I believe this type of discussion should always be part of the course, because driving is more about thinking than the physical actions - when the student is ready. It may be the student skill level reaches the point where a convesation about understeer may be usefull - they may never get there, but be ready for the test. This is unfortunate in my eyes, but it is no good overloading a pupil.
Oh yes - I am in total agreement with you again.
I never used the words "any degree". Understeer was mentioned, and I wrongly buttumed it to mean going straight on with the wheels turned.
-- MrBitsy
