driving problem

[manathu]

This is going to sound really pathetic but here goes. I passed my test many years ago but I have not driven for about twenty years. However circumstances have made me start driving again. I had a few lessons with BSM and I'm fine driving as long as I don't have to reverse. I know women have a reputation for not being able to reverse very well, and I am truly awful at it. If there is a choice of turning the wheel right or left I will always turn it the wrong way. Is there anyone out there who can give me a few tips.

Thank you

[kepla]

Might be able help as my daughter just passed her test (first time) this week so have recently been out with her a lot practising. Suggest you try not to 'over-think' the rearwards manoevors as that will just be confusing. What got my daughter 'sorted out' was a couple of trips to deserted car parks to spend some time just driving backwards. Both hands on the wheel, looking over your shoulder, and going fast enough to have to clutch fully engaged. After a couple of ten-minute sessions of continuous backwards driving (not on the public roads !) it all just 'engages' in your brain and it no longer becomes an issue. Once you've 'got it', then carefull manoevoring - like parking - is just a case of doing it slowly and accurately. I very strongly suggest that once you have got yourself back 'in the saddle' and a few miles under your belt that you seek out and join your local group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and start learning towards the advanced driving test. This gives you the same sort of the training (known as 'the system') as benefits police drivers and I can guarantee that it will make a big difference to how you approach driving. Most people also find it fun.

[Loosehead]

Many women have this problem, essentially you have to visualise what the wheels are doing and the path they will take when you move backwards. Try and imagine where the wheels are pointing. If you want the back of the car to go left you turn the wheel to the left and vice versa.

[CT]

My aunt used to have this problem as well. So one evening my dad took her to an empty supermarket car park and they practised reversing for about half an hour or so. This seemed to help her a lot. If you know someone who can do this for you then i'd recommend it. May have to be a Sunday evening these days as shops are open late. Great thing about this idea is that there is really nothing to run into.

[tigga]

along with what loosehead says, the key is visualising what the wheels are doing so (now this sounds really silly) but if you can get a model car that steers, and play about with it for a bit, you will see a lot clearer what happens with your wheels, steering wheel and the direction of the car from the outside all at the same time.

[manathu]

Thanks to all of you who responded to my question. Loosehead, your idea about the back wheels is brilliant. I'm going to try it today. Tigga I would love a model car. Great idea. Kepla really helpful advice Thankyou. However I don't think the Advanced Mororing Organisation could cope with me just yet.

Many Thanks