Educating young drivers to stay alive
Mon 14 May 2007
John Hammond, Journalism
The Sunshine Coast community has lost too many of its youth to road crashes but a Gympie driver training scheme is attempting to arrest that trend.
Roadcraft’s driver education centre opened by Peter Brock in April 1980 was the brainchild of Gympie Rotary Club and Mayor Mick Vernados. It was created because of the concern generated by the number of teenagers killed on the area’s roads.
Mayor Vernados, an ex-policeman, had personal reasons for backing construction of the centre as his 17-year-old son was tragically killed in a car crash.
Roadcraft’s goals are to increase driver proficiency and awareness to prevent crashes and trauma.
Mark Phillips, an Australian-ranked dirt track racer, has been with Roadcraft for five years. Geoff Clive, an ex-policeman from north Queensland, started there in 2004.
Most young enrollees undertake the two-day advanced driver education course consisting of theory and on-track practical applications.
The group on March 17-18, 2007, was typical of most, aged 17 to 21, with three girls and five boys living between the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay.
All eight students were given the course as presents by parents or friends. Roadcraft instructors referred to this as the “gift of life”.
Roadcraft attributes safe driving to three paramount principles: observation, concentration and anticipation. Common mistakes were driving too closely together, driving too fast for the conditions and not looking far enough ahead.
Mr Phillips rated most drivers on the road one or two out of 10 before training. Re-education was a key to Roadcraft’s defensive driver courses.
“Drivers had to be re-conditioned to look further afield. A universal response after a crash was ‘I didn’t see it until too late.’ When threatened drivers hit what they were trying to avoid,” he said.
“Everything students do here feels unnatural but will help them survive,” Mr Phillips said. “Steer your eyes in the right place and your hands will follow. As soon as the driver looks at the threat he heads towards it.”
He told the class every crash was their fault. As the driver they should have seen and avoided it because their ultimate obligation was not to crash.
“Statistically, you are the worst drivers on the road. There’s a lot of peer pressure at your age.”
Driving was defined as social interaction at speed. The law might not keep them alive but driver education could.
The importance of proper seating position was explored. Most motorists drove with seats too far back. When driving, all joints of the body should be at right angles. The closer position left the driver in greater control. They could brace properly and see further and it also helped prevent spiral fractures in a crash.
Steering was another common area for mistakes. The “pull-push” method gave finer adjustments in direction. The students were told the first steering movement should always be to pull down.
Mr Clive said even armed with more knowledge and driving skills the most important life-saving aids in the car were seatbelts.
After in-class theory students were put through their paces on the track. With instructions fresh in their minds they completed a slalom course, concentrating on “pull-push” steering and smooth driving.
Afternoon theory consisted of braking technique. Students learned that less braking was required when alert, leading to better fuel economy.
“You are sitting inside a missile,” Mr Clive said. “The potential for death or serious injury is very real.”
Back on the track straight-line emergency braking and brake and evade procedures were practiced.
University student, Justine Oxley, 18, was amazed how scanning the steering line made such a difference in direction control. Her 17-year-old brother, Jarrad, felt the closer seating position gave more driver stability.
Day two resumed with braking and evasion in wet and dry conditions. Skid prevention and control were also introduced.
Mr Clive said the social skills for driving were developed, not because a driver knew the road rules.
“A crash is not just the impact, it’s what’s leading up to it as well,” he said.
“Brake and evade” combined braking and steering to lose speed and change direction. With 60 per cent of crashes nose to tail this was an important aspect of defensive driving.
“Look and steer earlier and brake later,” Mr Clive said. “Your inputs must be refined.”
Every added input was a chance to crash. Students were told generally “less is more”. Everything had to be done smoothly and brakes could be a bad input.
The improvement in skills after two days was clearly evident. Nervous beginners were throwing vehicles into slides and recovering without losing control and self confidence was apparent on their faces.
Student feedback included Tiffany McLean who “learnt heaps”. Joel Horton thought it should be compulsory. Jessica Hammond felt more confident while others said they had improved control.
Roadcraft runs driver education courses monthly. Contact on 07-54828833 or toll free on 1800 060 064.
The Sunshine Coast community has lost too many of its youth to road crashes but a Gympie driver training scheme is an attempt to arrest that trend.Roadcraft’s driver education centre opened by Peter Brock in April 1980 was the brainchild of Gympie Rotary Club and Mayor Mick Vernados. It was created because of the concern generated by the number of teenagers killed on the area’s roads.
Mayor Vernados, an ex-policeman, had personal reasons for backing construction of the centre as his 17-year-old son was tragically killed in a car crash.
Roadcraft’s goals are to increase driver proficiency and awareness to prevent crashes and trauma.
Mark Phillips, an Australian-ranked dirt track racer, has been with Roadcraft for five years. Geoff Clive, an ex-policeman from north Queensland, started there in 2004.
Most young enrollees undertake the two-day advanced driver education course consisting of theory and on-track practical applications.
The group on March 17-18, 2007, was typical of most, aged 17 to 21, with three girls and five boys living between the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay.
All eight students were given the course as presents by parents or friends. Roadcraft instructors referred to this as the “gift of life”.
Roadcraft attributes safe driving to three paramount principles: observation, concentration and anticipation. Common mistakes were driving too closely together, too fast for the conditions and not looking far enough ahead.
Mr Phillips rated most drivers on the road one or two out of 10 before training. Re-education was a key to Roadcraft’s defensive driver courses.
“Drivers had to be re-conditioned to look further afield. A universal response after a crash was ‘I didn’t see it until too late.’ When threatened drivers hit what they were trying to avoid,” he said.
“Everything students do here feels unnatural but will help them survive,” Mr Phillips said. “Steer your eyes in the right place and your hands will follow. As soon as the driver looks at the threat he heads towards it.”
He told the class every crash was their fault. As the driver they should have seen and avoided it because their ultimate obligation was not to crash.
“Statistically, you are the worst drivers on the road. There’s a lot of peer pressure at your age.”
Driving was defined as social interaction at speed. The law might not keep them alive but driver education could.
The importance of proper seating position was explored. Most motorists drove with seats too far back. When driving, all joints of the body should be at right angles. The closer position left the driver in greater control. They could brace properly and see further and it also helped prevent spiral fractures in a crash.
Steering was another common area for mistakes. The “pull-push” method gave finer adjustments in direction. The students were told the first steering movement should always be to pull down.
Mr Clive said even armed with more knowledge and driving skills the most important life-saving aids in the car were seatbelts.
After in-class theory students were put through their paces on the track. With instructions fresh in their minds they completed a slalom course, concentrating on “pull-push” steering and smooth driving.
Afternoon theory consisted of braking technique. Students learned that less braking was required when alert, leading to better fuel economy.
“You are sitting inside a missile,” Mr Clive said. “The potential for death or serious injury is very real.”
Back on the track straight-line emergency braking and brake and evade procedures were practiced.
University student, Justine Oxley, 18, was amazed how scanning the steering line made such a difference in direction control. Her 17-year-old brother, Jarrad, felt the closer seating position gave more driver stability.
Day two resumed with braking and evasion in wet and dry conditions. Skid prevention and control were also introduced.
Mr Clive said the social skills for driving were developed, not because a driver knew the road rules.
“A crash is not just the impact, it’s what’s leading up to it as well,” he said.
“Brake and evade” combined braking and steering to lose speed and change direction. With 60 per cent of crashes nose to tail this was an important aspect of defensive driving.
“Look and steer earlier and brake later,” Mr Clive said. “Your inputs must be refined.”
Every added input was a chance to crash. Students were told generally “less is more”. Everything had to be done smoothly and brakes could be a bad input.
The improvement in skills after two days was clearly evident. Nervous beginners were throwing vehicles into slides and recovering without losing control and self confidence was apparent on their faces.
Student feedback included Tiffany McLean who “learnt heaps”. Joel Horton thought it should be compulsory. Jessica Hammond felt more confident while others said they had improved control.
Roadcraft runs driver education courses monthly. Contact on 07-54828833 or toll free on 1800 060 064.
Image(s) designed by John Hammond