Fit To Drive School

Another info graphic to make learning a little easier if you're a visual person

A little help to remember the correct "Move off from Kerb" sequence Task 3 Driving companion>
Enjoy your weekend!

Another give way rule that may help.

Test day nerves?

Prior to the weeks following up to your test here's a little routine that may help.

In my upcoming book "Healing Hacks" I have lots lots more ideas that can help spiritually, physically and emotionally. Whether you're prepping for an exam or just dealing with what life serves you up.

I have used breathwork, meditation, neuro science hacks and Yoga to help deal with many issues including 5 years of living with SIBO as well as other issues which I will no long harp on apart as I've done so on this page a few times before....;-)

In todays incredibly fast paced environment, cost of living pressures for many families,the stress of being glued to your screens most of the day( bad! Really bad!) and many other things that steal our peace I hope you can use what's in my forthcoming book to help>
The routine :

This tailored neuro-routine is designed to be built sequentially over the weeks leading up to the P-plate test. By practicing these hacks in a low-stakes environment first, they will become automatic "muscle memory" for the brain on test day.

Weeks 3 & 4 Before the Test: De-conditioning the Stress Trigger

The goal here is to train the brain not to associate the driver's seat with danger before even turning the key.

The "Parked" Vagus Nerve Activation

The Action: Sit in the driver's seat of the parked car without driving. Grip the steering wheel, take a deep breath, swallow hard, and hum a low pitch for the duration of a long exhale.

The Neuro-Target: Stimulates the vagus nerve while paired with the physical context of the car. It signals the brain's threat-detection center (the amygdala) that the driver's seat is a safe zone.

Routine: Do this 3 times every single time you first get into the car to practice.

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The Spatial Horizon Shift

The Action: While parked or stopped safely at a red light, consciously soften your gaze and widen your peripheral vision to take in the entire dashboard and the far edges of the side mirrors without moving your eyes.

The Neuro-Target: Driving anxiety causes "tunnel vision," locking the brain into high-alert tracking. Dilating your vision overrides this, calming autonomic arousal and actually making it easier to naturally spot hazards.

Routine: Practice for 30 seconds before starting the engine and during parking practice.

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Weeks 1 & 2 Before the Test: Breaking the "What-If" Loops

As the test gets closer, anticipatory anxiety and ruminating thoughts ("What if I stall?", "What if I fail instantly?") will peak.

The Driving-Mock Divergent Pivot

The Action: When a negative "what-if" loop starts at home, immediately look around the room and name 5 random things, then mentally invent a silly story linking them together (e.g., "The lamp wants to eat the coaster because the curtain told it to").The Neuro-Target: Forces the brain out of the looping Default Mode Network (DMN) and activates the Central Executive Network (CEN). You cannot actively calculate a creative story and ruminate on failure at the same time.

Routine: Run this 1-minute pivot the exact moment a negative driving thought enters your head.

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Test Day: The Acute Panic Protocol

Use these right before and during the test to handle surges of adrenaline.

The Pre-Test Physiological Sigh

The Action: While waiting for the testing officer, or sitting in the waiting room, take two quick sharp inhales through the nose, followed by a long, slow mouth exhale.

The Neuro-Target: Instantly triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, dumps CO₂, and lowers a spiking heart rate within seconds. It clears the physical "shaking" or racing heart.

Routine: Do a sequence of 3 physiological sighs right before the testing officer gets into the car.

The Red-Light

The Action: If you make a minor mistake or feel panic rising during the test, use any complete stop (like a red light or stop sign) to do one quick physiological sigh and a hard swallow.

The Neuro-Target: Flushes out the immediate adrenaline spike from a mistake, preventing a minor error from sn*******ng into a major panic response.

Pax Vobiscum
KIm

Link to my new book next week!

Meanwhile if you're a "supervising Driver" and would like to help your young learner driver get a few more skills to help them stay safe on the roads here's what's called a "commentary drive"

It's part of what I call "practise with a purpose" meaning when you go for a drive have a plan behind what you what to achieve, perhaps it's reverse parking, or doing a "3 point turn" or driving in heavy traffic.

A commentary drive is showing the learner what to look out for what to anticipate and what actions to take in any given situation when approaching a "hazard" meaning anything that causes the driver to slow down down or change direction.

I'll be doing a really detailed video on this in the next week or so>
Stay safe, share and enjoy!

Obey road signs. What road signs? So as I'm making commentary, if I see a road sign and say, this is a particular road sign, what type of road sign? Why should I obey it? Distinguish between cautionary and regulatory.

If it's 60, give a reason why it's 60 kilometers an hour. We mean we have to obey the 60 kilometer an hour sign. If we go over that speed, we're breaking a road rule and we can possibly get fined, and it takes us longer to brake.

Okay, so in or out on approach to a roundabout, we say, okay, as I'm approaching a roundabout, I'm checking my center mirror, preparing to slow down/stop and give way to all traffic in the roundabout and mindful of any traffic approaching from the right.

Okay, and I do my observation checks as I go through the left and right.
I indicate OUT of a round about if I am going straight through or turning right>

We turn left, we turn slow, and we under control just in case there is a pedestrian crossing the road immediately as we begin our turn, or there could be cars coming in opposite directions which may force us to go across to the left-hand side of the road.

So when we turn left, we need to stay on our side of the road in case of oncoming vehicles. We need to be under control so we don't go into someone else's space.

As we're going through intersections, we're doing our checks ( scan left to right on approach) on approach, we're covering the brake, looking out for any red light runners or emergency sirens,

• See/Hear: Identify actual and potential hazards using observation (mirrors, scanning well ahead, road signs, lane markings, pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles) and listening.

• Think: Anticipate what might happen, prioritise risks, plan actions (e.g., check mirrors, cover the brake, slow early, increase space), consider road rules, and how your actions affect other road users.

• Do: Carry out the appropriate action smoothly (adjust speed/gear, position the vehicle, signal, stop if needed).

What a Commentary Drive Looks Like in Practice

Parents can start by demonstrating it themselves while the learner rides as a passenger, then gradually hand the commentary over to the learner once basic vehicle control is comfortable. Keep it clear, relevant, and focused on the highest risks first (you don’t need to name every minor detail on a busy road).

Example excerpt (approaching a suburban intersection or school area): “Checking mirrors — car behind is a safe distance. Looking well ahead — traffic lights ahead are green but a pedestrian is waiting on the left footpath near the school crossing. Child on the footpath might step out. Covering the brake and easing off the accelerator. Checking left mirror and blind spot. No cyclists.

Maintaining a 3-second following distance. If the lights change or the pedestrian moves, I’m ready to stop smoothly. Giving a bit more space as we pass the parked cars — at least 1.2 metres clearance.”

Other typical elements include noting road surface changes, bends/crests with limited vision, vehicles in blind spots, tailgaters (leaving extra space ahead), parked cars that might open doors or pull out, and applicable give-way or speed rules.

The most maladministered and convoluted set of rules in Australia in regard to the mutual recognition of driving instructors from other states has become a little bit more "streamlined"

I won't go on as I've already spoken of what I went through in the past in my dealings with the SA dept of transport.

What I will do is post a link to my new book which helped me deal with the stress of 4 plus years of a gut ailment ()SIBO) as well as dealing with working in an extremely physical job that had me getting up at 4am everyday>

I feel blessed and lucky to not only still be here but to have gone through what I have and the learning experiences that came along with it.

Whether its your last year of school, taking a driving test or just want some help getting through every day in an increasingly insane world I hope you'll get a few ideas that will help>

The link will be up in 3 weeks to download for free.
Pax Vobiscum
Kim

I like to have a bit of fun from time to time and do these quizzes,just to test myself.

Nobody knows everything and increasingly more rules,more fines so it pays to keep informed!

Enjoy your Saturday folks and drive to the conditions :-)

https://samove.raa.com.au/the-u-turn-rule-you-need-to-know/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPzZ85leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBvcmtDNmpWczlwakowRTRac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkHzdOyEOjfbZTSvwM3I38Im3owQflTYWENKf6PmPAoiPD5csKlXH2xbJGb1_aem_448sNE4qWDGPKomncAtzKA

The U-turn rule you need to know SA Move Magazine Online

Have a wonderful and safe Australia day folks.Keep safe and cool.45 degrees in Adelaide tomorrow!

The secret speed-camera signs to look for in every state How do you know if you're approaching a speed camera?

https://www.dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/projects/40-km-h-school-speed-limits"

For those that live in SA it pays to be informed!

As a school bus driver presently it's astounding how many people I see hurtling through school zones at school times at well above the speed limit.

The penalties are huge and the potential repercussions of hitting someone...

Please be mindful when going through school school zones on school days and be aware that some zones are posted 25KPH when children present.
This means any day any time NOT just school times/days.

40 km/h school speed limits | Department for Infrastructure and Transport