Risk Free Learning

 

 

BENEFITS OF SIMULATORS FOR THE TRAINING & TESTING OF DRIVERS

Worldwide, statistics consistently indicate that 95% of all vehicle crashes or incidents are caused by driver error.

Unfortunately, 'new drivers' in the first 2 years after passing their test are 5 times more likely to be a statistic than the 'experienced' driver.

Why is this?

 What should be done about this?

Further restrict the freedom of every new and experienced driver by the imposition of more costly restrictions?

Or improve the basic training of the 'new' driver? The very achievable, cost neutral and effective answer has to be 'improve the basic training' of the new driver.

Since 2009, all northern European countries have regulations in place controlling the standards of professional driving instruction and the standard required for a 'new' driver to legally drive unaccompanied.

For various reasons, and despite the implementation of new procedures such as Theory and Hazard Perception testing, the crash statistics relating to new drivers are not improving. The lack of improvement is provoking agencies to investigate a new layer of restrictive measures in the form of Graduated Driver Licensing.

The majority of drivers do not take risks intentionally - they naively and needlessly place themselves and others at risk through a lack of knowledge and understanding. Regardless of the restrictions placed on them, those who enjoy 'risk taking' will continue to take risks - unless their attitude can be modified.

 Government agencies have difficulty in implementing measures to control and maintain minimum standards of professional instruction delivered to the majority of the public. Also, the testing agencies can only measure the performance of the test candidate on the day, a problem easily exploited by many instructors who just teach their student drivers to pass their test and not to drive.

Believe it or not, there is a huge difference. Unfortunately, current testing methods available to the agencies seriously limit their ability to assess a driver's attitude and their natural response to hazardous scenarios.

Driving simulators can positively overcome the problems in areas of training and testing of both attitude and responses. In recent performance evaluations the modern high realism driving simulator and training programmes, such as the ones we have developed, are clearly shown to improve new driver standards of ability and attitude.

 The wide field of vision vehicle cab configuration simulators, the specification used by Automan Driving School, show a 66% lower accident rate compared with the general novice driver accident statistics in the first year of driving.

The wide field of vision desktop group show only a 25% improvement while the basic single monitor group show only 13% improvement.

 Our high specification simulator will train a student · to a full accredited syllabus · from 'getting into a car for the first time' · to a pre test readiness assessment · train and assess attitude and ability ·

 train and assess 'Hazard Perception'

 · train and assess dangerous situations i.e. Overtaking

· allow practice and 'action reply' of any session in

· Darkness ·

 Poor visibility due to fog

 Variable degrees of rain ·

Snow and Ice ·

Range of engine capacities and power

· variable loading of the vehicle

· Range of vehicle types (car, 4 x 4, vans and LGV)

All of this in a uniform and structured manner at all times in a stress free environment in perfect safety and with a printed assessment of performance on completion.

When the simulator programme is used in conjunction with a fully interactive, on-line learning programme, designed to develop knowledge and challenge predisposed attitudes in relation to driver behavior,

 the student driver will have the best opportunity to reduce personal risk of being involved in any motoring incident.

Road behaviour and tragedy for new drivers can be improved by education. Additional restrictions will not save those who enjoy risks or chose to act irresponsibly. Low cost effective education is available now Additional costly and ineffective restrictions and interventions are unnecessary.