01/08/2026
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.
