At the Risk of covering old ground, (see my previous post on which advanced test is the best) , the same thing rears its head.

Now first of all, I’ve always been a big fan of more training, anything is better than nothing, so I’m in no way knocking RoSPA, in fact I probably know more about RoSPA than anyone else in the training sector except those that work directly for them.

I was approached to be a GAP Rep, I have a Diploma with Distinction, I have a Gold, I’ve done Diploma Training and pre-Diploma training for ADI’s and been involved running the local group for nearly 10 years, as an Advanced Tutor and an Approved Tutor and have trained or been involved in the training well of over a hundred people to Gold.

I also know personally several RoSPA Examiners.  I don’t examine for RoSPA mainly because I’m too heavily involved in the Group, whereas with the IAM the Group is much smaller so I’d be able to examine associates from other groups in the area.

The RoSPA Gold is not some kind of super advanced test. It doesn’t not mean you’re the world greatest advanced driver, and it’s not equivalent to a Police Advanced (Old Class One) or even a Police Standard Blues and Twos course,  and it’s not equivalent to a RoSPA Diploma Drive. The criteria was a pupil with Gold should ‘do well’ on a Police Standard Course. Lots of people go on Police Standard courses without any training beyond the L test and do well. It was just an indication.

The average driver can be taught to Gold Standard in 6 to 12 hours. The main reason it was considered a higher level than the IAM test is that one it needed to be re-tested every three years, and two; the standard of driving has to be more consistent for a Gold than for an IAM Pass.

An ADI that has been taught correctly for Part 2 would need little very work to get to Gold Standard, mainly around the areas of Brake Gear Separation, consideration in the use of signals and commentary.

There is also much more of a wider variance between examining standards, but that’s just my personal opinion.

On another note , in no edition of Roadcraft does it say you need 100% concentration, 100% of the time, for the simple reason we know that’s impossible. The objective was to raise the base standard of driving so far above average, so that, 12 hours into a shift when called to pursue a vehicle, when the drivers standard drops, due to fatigue and red mist, their standard of driving is still well above the baseline.

I’m well placed to state this as like Bob Smalley, the former RoSPA Chief Examiner, I was one of the people consulted on the contents back when the 2007 edition came out.