Advanced & Performance Driving

by Reg Local

Reg Local is an ex-police driving instructor. With a number of years operational experience as a traffic officer and several years teaching police drivers at standard and advanced level, including pursuit tactics and VIP protection driving, he has a wealth of experience to share with the reader. In this book, Reg explores not only the practical skills required by a good driver, but also the mental aspects of driving in a wide range of scenarios. As well as exploring overtaking, cornering, acceleration and braking sense, Reg has included chapters on emergency response driving, motorway driving, dealing with the mistakes of others and how to check your own abilities in a realistic way. The book is useful for drivers at any stage in their driving career, from the newly qualified driver to the experienced emergency services driver and everyone in between. The book can be read on its own, or as part of a course of advanced instruction. It complements other driving manuals, especially the police driving manual - Roadcraft.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2015

Reviews

[Jack Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Down to Earth Good Learning Experience

I bought this book because I am in the process of training prior to being tested for the Institute of Advanced Motorists certificate. And wanted to read a relevant publication which wasn't directly associated with the IAM.
REG Local's book turned out to be an excellent choice; and one that I would recommend to anyone who is embarking upon the IAM test procedure.
It is factual, informative, and provides a valuable insight into the police training procedures, which I found to be helpful and instructive.
The book also dispelled several 'issues' which I felt dissatisfied with in the IAM course book, by confirming exactly those 'issues' in very emphatic terms: which though clearly confirming that my perceptions were wrong, gave the reasoning for them being correct in such a down-to-earth manner that they made perfect sense.
The book is at times factually blunt.
At times humorous without being cynical
And is packed with anecdotal evidence that this is a book written by a very experienced and skilled person, who has his feet placed firmly upon the ground

Worth every penny ☺

[Nicholas I Kann · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYONE can learn something from this book that will help them on the road. I'm an American guy reading a British police officer's take on driving, but aside from some driving laws unique to the area and having to mentally switch sides of the road, there's a lot of useful information given -- even if you believe you are an above average driver (doesn't everyone who actively seeks out this sort of book?). I found that I already do a lot of what Reg discusses, but to read an instructor's take on it was refreshing. I'm a former Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor, myself, so it was easy to see things through his frame of mind. There was still a lot of practical advice given, and I've found that I pay more attention to things that I used to overlook, as well as obtaining a better appreciation for the finer details of driving... even on my regular everyday commute in congested, construction-laden traffic. If fact, this book is almost a "Bible of Everyday Motoring", rather than an emergency responder's guide.

I've recommended this book to my daughter who has just started driving and thinks she's better behind the wheel of her little Mini Cooper than she really is. Though the title is "Advanced & Performance Driving", there is much to be gleaned for the novice motorist. Some of the best advice given is to never believe you have nothing left to learn. It sounds very simple, and many will grumble and say, "Well, duhhhhh!", but how many of us actually seek to better our everyday driving, and not just our track times? I find myself narrating my thoughts and actions to myself a bit more now, and I'm sure I get some weird looks. I give commentary when driving with my daughter as a passenger so she can hopefully start seeing the things I'm seeing (and now STARTING to see, as well, thanks to this book), which will hopefully help her begin to actively look for these things while solo driving, herself, and in a roundabout way help make her a better driver, too.

As with any "handbook", take what you will and overlook what you don't really need. My personal advice is to not outright dismiss anything the author puts forth, though, as he has the experience to back up even the most seemingly mundane aspects of driving. If you open the cover with the willingness and expectations of learning something that will make you a better, safer, more active cage on the road, then this is an invaluable tool to have in your hands.

[DaveDoesStuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read.

I found some good tips and general advice in this book for day to day and enthusiast driving. Thanks Reg!