Commentary Driving

I can still remember the very first running commentary drive that I witnessed many years ago and the incredible effect it had on me. I was truly amazed at what this driver was seeing on the whole road scene and what he intended to do about his in-depth visual scanning skills.

Why was it a revelation? Quite simply, he missed nothing. Every traffic sign, road marking, weather and road conditions and surface changes were detailed, along with how each hazard was described in infinite detail and the level of anticipation and alertness were truly outstanding. He also described what speed he was going to approach each hazard at, to ensure he was in control of any outcome. Yes, it was truly remarkable; a different level if you will, to what I had ever witnessed before.

Improved Overall Awareness

I remember how he improved the overall awareness factor by telling me every warning sign he saw and how these were linked with mirror checks and why such a link created more visual information. This almost magical awareness level was so impressive.

He saw things so early and that created more time for him to react to any sudden changes in situation, as often happens on out traffic clogged roads. The timing of his signals and the way he communicated to other road users by expert road positioning and use of speed were noteworthy. He described it all and I observed it all. It had such an amazing impact on me that I started practicing a running commentary on the very next drive.

It was my first introduction to commentary driving and to be honest, it blew me away and I became committed and motivated to learn this amazing skill and I was truly fascinated how commentary driving created a deeper involvement when driving, let alone how it affected all round awareness and improved anticipation. The sheer involvement it created was another huge step forward when making progress on any type of road.

Where to Start?

How and where should you start practicing and developing a running commentary?

Let’s learn this great skill the easy way, so as not to complicate the process. Start with shouting out every warning sign you see (describing what they are) and link these signs with a mirror check to gain extra rearward awareness. This is a notable, yet hugely beneficial starting point.

Eventually, include all traffic signs that you see on the road scene – information signs and those that that give us orders (circular signs – things we must or must not do), along with such country road signs such as ‘finger posts’, which can point out junction entry points or pedestrian pathways etc.

The Next Stage - Road Markings

Start developing your understanding of road markings and say what they are and what they mean to you. Describing the difference between:

• Normal centre lane lines (short) on a straight piece of tarmac
• The longer tell-tale ‘hazard lines’ in the centre of the road which are used where there could be several forms of different hazards.
• Then bring into the commentary, other important markings such as double broken/ unbroken white line systems, once again, stating what they mean to you as generally on a twisty country road, double unbroken line systems mean a restricted view problem ahead.
• Always recognise and state that the more paint you see on the road, the bigger the safety issue is generally. Such road markings should ‘automatically’ relate to the ‘matching your speed to the vision available’ rule we have mentioned before, as you approach such hazards.
• Then, talk about how you’re referencing the speed you need to lose or adjust to, so you maximise the safety as you enter the hazard.

It’s a gradual process as you expand what you see and become more aware of the incredible information these signs and road markings offer every driver. You’ll notice the difference within a few drives how useful these informative elements become to you and how you are now making the fullest use of these aspects.

Then start fully describing what your visual scanning of the road scene is observing, making comments as necessary about what it/they mean to you, as you drive towards the hazards.

The HOW and the WHY?

At this point, the experts will also say HOW they intend to deal with any specific hazard and WHY they need to do certain things early, on approach to any defined hazard. That will include losing speed to match the potential/actual danger – so the speed you enter the hazard at, has been thought about and has been planned into the drive. Getting the correct/safe speed into every hazard is the hallmark of a true driving expert but it’s not something that cannot be attained – with diligent practice it has the ability to transform everyone’s driving.

When done properly, it’s such a brilliant ‘theatre of skills’ to watch and should provide you with the motivation to get creating these truly fabulous set of skills.

The 3 Capital ‘A’s: Awareness – Anticipation – Alertness.

Follow this and start bringing all these separate aspects together and include what you plan to do about what you are observing. It’s a fascinating skill to learn, understand and develop. When demonstrating an expert commentary it often blows away your passengers. Use it to develop the Awareness, Anticipation and Alertness.’

Be very proud of getting your running commentary to an expert level of competence as this will automatically benefit almost everything you do when driving and your ability to ‘miss nothing; see everything’ expands on every drive. This is how powerful and useful developing a commentary is to your driving.

Attention to The Driving Task

Without question, one of the main criteria is that your ‘attention to the driving task’ is magnified to such a significant degree, it becomes an astounding level of driving proficiency, preparedness, vigilance and attentiveness. I am not exaggerating!!

Developing an expert running commentary takes your driving to another level in every department as it delivers such a wide range of benefits and advantages that you’ll wonder how you ever drove safely, without it.