Ever considered yourself a whiz at

driving? A smooth operator behind the wheel?

Me too. Until, that is, I spent an

afternoon having my driving assessed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

According to Keith Bamford, Training Officer for the West Yorkshire Advanced Drivers' Association, the RoSPA Advanced Driving Test is the UK's highest test standard and the ultimate challenge for any driver.

Yet, despite having only got my

driving licence 18 months ago, I felt

certain I could impress Mr Bamford with my road safety skills.

That confidence evaporated as soon as I stepped into the car with Mr Bamford and he took out a notepad and pen.

"Don't do anything differently - relax and drive as you normally would," he told me. Easier said than done.

Suddenly I was reminded of the horror of my numerous driving tests (well, four).

The sweaty palms, the trembling wrists and the inability to change gear properly.

But as we set off from the village of Eldwick, Mr Bamford assured me this wasn't a test - he was simply going to tell me how I could become a safer driver.

""Safety is first and foremost with RoSPA - that's what we are all about," he said. "None of this is rocket science, it's mostly just common sense."

Common sense not being my particular forte I still felt mildly panicky, but calmed down enough to get us out of the village and onto the moor roads.

As my poor old car wheezed and coughed it's way up the ridiculously steep hills I wondered aloud why people sign up for advanced driving tuition.

"There are plenty of reasons," said Mr Bamford. "People might find that their driving standards are slipping and they are not happy with it.

"Maybe they've had a near miss or two and want their driving checking out.

"For others it is simply that they are interested in learning to drive more competently. And believe it or not - some people really enjoy learning to become a safer driver."

My foot eased off the accelerator when Mr Bamford informed me that in this country nearly ten people are killed every day on the road, largely because of unsafe drivers.

I made a mental resolution to take my driving much more seriously.

Soon after there was no chance to talk as I really needed to concentrate on the assault course ahead.

My assessor had clearly decided not to give me an easy ride and I took on narrow roads, blind bends and very tight corners.

According to Mr Bamford there is no such thing as a dangerous car or a

dangerous road, only dangerous drivers.

"People need to observe and plan well ahead - that is the key to safe driving," he told me, moments before I braked abruptly at a set of temporary traffic lights. Say no more.

My car's huffing and puffing is also, apparently, due to my somewhat

lacklustre driving.

"The way you drive totally affects how long your car will last. There are lots of things we teach during advanced driving tuition about driving a car with more care - it means you shouldn't have to keep shelling out for new clutches and that kind of thing," said Mr Bamford.

There's another financial benefit to advanced driving too - if you pass the test you can benefit from lower

insurance premiums.

Back at Mr Bamford's house there was tea and biscuits on offer,

presumably to soften the blow as he told me how I'd done.

"Have you ever considered the idea of delicacy and finesse in relation to

driving," he asked, without a hint of irony. Wasn't I a delicate driver?

Apparently not. "It felt as if you were wearing clogs the whole time," he said. Actually, he wasn't far off.

If I had been wearing thin-soled shoes, as RoSPA advise, I would have been able to squeeze the accelerator and dab the brake. A far cry from my

heavy-footed antics.

Apparently I had picked up lots of other bad habits - crossing my hands on the steering wheel, sitting at junctions in first gear - which I simply wasn't aware of.

To have them pointed out to me was invaluable, as were the tips and advice offered by Mr Bamford on improving my skills.

But by the end of my assessment I was still worried that I would never cut the advanced driving mustard.

"I have never had anyone so bad they couldn't do advanced driving," said Mr Bamford.

"I think it is within everyone's ability to do the test - but even if they decide not to the tuition itself is really useful. We would never turn anybody away so however bad you think you are have a go." Phew! There's hope for me yet...

RoSPA membership costs £35 a year and includes free advanced driving tuition.

The West Yorkshire Advanced Drivers' Association meets once a month at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield.

There are regular lectures and workshops on all aspects of advanced driving. To find out more about joining visit www.wyg-roada.org.uk or call Keith Bamford on (01274) 564925.