Bringing together researchers and driver trainer/educators for the purpose of achieving a better understanding of each other?s role in road safety [ABSTRACT ONLY]

The Driver Training Workshop represents an opportunity to bring together licensing authorities, researchers and driver trainer/educators for the purpose of achieving a better understanding of each other?s role in road safety.

Professionally qualified driver trainers see themselves in a unique position. Teaching driving at the very beginning of a young person?s motoring life, they feel they are in a position to influence the adoption of safe driving habits, the effect of which would have a lasting effect and improve road safety.

They are able to provide training and education to a level exceeding what is required to satisfy testing and assessment procedures and to instil a sense of responsibility, that safe driving is something that can be learned and practiced.

But opinion differs widely and the value of novice driver training & education and its role as a road safety measure has been the subject of debate both in Australia and overseas for a long time.

Post-licence training is often seen as the panacea to existing training and education regimes. It?s very nature frequently attracting media interest as a suggested means to improve the competence of young drivers. Comparatively, the training and education of drivers right at the very beginning of their driving experience has not received similar attention.

The information exchange between researchers and driver trainers and vice versa has not, until recent times, been the focus of attention that could allow all parties to share experiences and seek improvements.

The driver training industry is a much-changed profession. An industry that has embraced in its development all elements of car-craft instruction, road-craft training and now low-risk education. Simultaneous change in the industry and in driver licensing ? to more comprehensive graduated licensing schemes, is working hand in hand to raise the bar with the objective of achieving better educated, more competent drivers.

A driver trainer, before becoming qualified, is required to submit to a comprehensive training and education program. A new, more demanding Certificate lV Course in Driving Instruction corresponding to the requirements of the Australian National Training Authority?s Qualification Framework was introduced earlier this year with the support of the Australian Driver Trainers Association.

The workshop presents an opportunity to put the focus on novice driver training ?

• To consider the role of professional driver education now and in the future and how it can help produce a safer, more competent driver.
• How driver education corresponds to the requirements of licensing procedures and vice versa
• And how it can play an effective part in all road safety strategies