Revian wrote:Hello...and thanks to Alastair....
I surprised I've not been vetted out...
I'll keep both sites in my mind. I still kind of hope for reconciliation...
Ian
Welcome
I am used to any spelling of my name, so not too worried!
I think that all most want is for the ADUK approach to continue, for me there are too many warning signs in the new owner of ADUK to want to continue in that location, he doesn't seem to have the same understanding of Advanced Driving that I hold - for him it appears to be fundamentally about training just beyond your learner test - and using that as a channel to sell his business's courses - nothing wrong in that and I have a lot of time for fleet training etc. and to base it on roadcraft principles is great, however that is not all that is AD... as is discussed widely by this group, that is a starter for 10 - to see it as the end goal is to miss so much of what AD is about...
The other side of it is that in his being commercial and wanting the ADUK website to promote his training, ADUK becomes the equivalent of the IAM / RoSPA / etc. - it is no longer impartial - I appreciate that he is saying he doesn't wish to change things, but there is no way that ADUK can continue to be neutral and totally free, it will always be associated with his business, and therefore by implication with that narrow definition of AD... whereas the value of ADUK is freedom to discuss AD in all its elements / from any angle / etc. That can only happen on a platform which has no commercial and no group link...
The new owner has said that he bought ADUK for the google juice (SEO impact) of its front pages, not for the forum - sadly, while that may be true, it has an impact on the forum... if anyone has read the changes he has been making to the other parts of the website, there is a big link at the top saying advanced driving which reads:
We will shortly have more information about our advanced driving courses, which cover all of the UK. Currently you can get a quote from our sister site at
http://www.driversdomainuk.comBenefits of taking an advanced driving course, for business customers:
1. Reduce your accident rate among your drivers
2. Reduce fleet insurance costs
3. Improve driver morale
4. Improved average MPG a cross the fleet
5. Improved company reputation
6. Demonstrating your duty of care
We have seen more and more companies investing in advanced driving courses over the last 5 years, this trend is continued to grow over time.
Is that our definition of AD - is that what ADUK stood for? not in my view...
There isn't a single thing in there about increasing skill or ability...
The only reference to moving the driver forward is in improving their morale...
the reality is that as we all know you can't transform a bored fleet driver into an advanced driver in one half day session - so his offering (cynical, but sadly probably true) is a form ticking / back covering / risk management exercise for the average fleet manager - dressed up as AD to give it value...
that to me is not what ADUK was / is / should be...
so it is not all about Brake, for me it is a wider concern...
Alasdair