Driving Schools UK

Driving lessons in March

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:42:36 +0000

Learning to drive is not easy, as this is an entirely new skill that must be learned quickly before hitting the public roads behind the wheel of a machine that can cause serious injury or worse if any mistakes are made.

Nearly all youngsters once they attain the seventeen years of age want to learn to drive and once one looks at the various benefits which learning to drive delivers it’s very simple to comprehend why.

There is certainly quite a bit required when learning to drive but if your home is in the county of Cambridgeshire you will probably find that you have got quite a selection of driving schools that will assist you to driving test success.

One example of a school of motoring in March is You Drive School of Motoring . You Drive School of Motoring are to be located at 57 Gaul Rd March PE15 9RQ and if you want to communicate with them on the telephone their phone number is 1354650214.

Contained in this brief post concerning learning to drive in March with You Drive School of Motoring are a bunch of extracts of material you simply must know about and learn if you’re to have the very best potential for a first time pass of the driving test.

To begin with, a good dsa adi with a driving school such as You Drive School of Motoring , on seeing you on the 1st occassion, shall present himself or herself to you and then summarize the numerous things you will learn about in upcoming driving lessons. How to prepare the car to make sure that it is possible to easily reach all of the controls regarding the car, how you can regulate the mirrors and headrest and so on. This typically is referred to as Cockpit Drill.

You will learn about the driving syllabus, the highway code, what you ought to learn in order to pass the theory test and the hazard perception test. On top of that you will learn about driving skills, the driving skills you have got to learn about and perfect in order to become a safe driver.

As you grow near to the stage where you will be all set for your driving test you will learn about the Show Me Tell Me questions and your driving instructor may also take some time talking about supplemental training that you could decide on when you’ve passed your driving test. This is what is known as Pass Plus.

Earlier in this article I mentioned You Drive School of Motoring however they are but one of hundreds of driving schools in Cambridgeshire. All dsa approved driving instructors have a common program which they need to follow in teaching you to drive. What follows is part of the process that learning to drive involves.

Cockpit Drill

Just before firing up the motor consideration should be given to matters with a view to ensuring safe practices and a comfortable environment. One example is:-

Ensure your interior and external mirrors are correctly aligned so that you can quickly see what is happening behind you without having to move your head unnecessarily.

The Official Driving Syllabus

Part of the process of learning to drive that You Drive School of Motoring will show you is the driving syllabus which is quite extensive. A good example of the driving syllabus is:-

Car controls, equipment and components – You must:-

Know the legal requirements for the vehicle.

An example of Road user behaviour is:- You must – Know the rules, risks and effects of drinking and driving.

Your You Drive School of Motoring driving standards agency approved driving instructor will inform you about Vehicle characteristics. For instance you must – Be able to assess the risks caused by the characteristics of other vehicles and suggest precautions that can be taken.

You’ll learn about road and weather conditions e.g. You must – Know which road surfaces provide the better or poorer grip when braking.

Traffic signs, rules and regulations – You must – Have a sound grasp of the meaning of traffic signs, for example · Speed limits · Parking restrictions · Zebra and pelican crossings.

A major part of the driving syllabus is learning car control and road procedure. One example is – Knowing how to pass stationary vehicles.

Some other knowledge it is practical to know about includes:- Knowing about the action needed to avoid and correct skids.

Theory Questions

With around a thousand theory questions contained in the Theory Questions Syllabus, your March dsa adi will help you while learning to drive in Cambridgeshire. How he or she may do this could be by asking you a theory question or two during your driving lesson. Possibly at the start or end of the driving lesson. Where appropriate, during the driving lesson itself.

An example of a theory question you may be asked is:-

Question – Your vehicle is fitted with a hand-held telephone. To use the telephone which one of the following answers should you do. a) Reduce your speed. b) Find a safe place to stop. c) Steer the vehicle with one hand. d) Be particularly careful at junctions. Answer b.

One more example of a theory question you may be asked is:-

Question – Which of the following four answers are most likely to cause you to lose concentration while you are driving? a) Using a mobile phone. b) Talking into a microphone. c) Tuning your car radio. d) Checking the mirrors. e) Looking at a map. f) Using the demisters. Answers a & b & c & e.

Hazard Perception

Becoming educated with regard to Hazard Perception is a process that every adi’s should help one with. During your practical training a decent driving instructor will consistently prompt you to monitor the area in front and around you, noting impending dangers of which you’ll want to be aware of as you drive.

The above mentioned are a handful of samples of what is important to discover more about once you start the process of learning to drive. There is a lot called for. You will need to study for the theory test from a syllabus that consists of over a thousand questions

An extremely clever investment is the most recent version of the Highway Code and in the event that you choose to do your driver training with You Drive School of Motoring you may be given information on where one can acquire a pamphlet.

One more investment you ought to make is a dvd package containing the most present-day edition of Theory and Hazard Perception. Just as before your You Drive School of Motoring adi can inform you on the most economical way to get a copy.

Automatic Driving Instructors In Bexhill-on-Sea

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:00:04 +0000

One can be taught to drive at an early age and if you have access to off road facilities age is not a barrier. To learn to drive on public roads however you need to be 16 years old for motorcycles or 17 for a car. Dsaadi.com is the place to find suitably qualified driving instructors that can instruct you.

What lessons you’ll need – Your instructor will estimate how long you are likely to need after your first lesson. The current average is 45 hours of tuition (Driving Standards Agency average, 2006).

Have a look now by using our search function. Enter either your postcode or location and there may be one or more ADI’s giving Driving Tuition in Bexhill-on-Sea

In America most people drive automatic cars. They refer to manual cars as ‘stick shift’ the stick being the gear lever. In this country (United Kingdom) the position is very different with the vast majority preferring to drive a car that has a clutch.

All things are not created equal – this is quite a common saying that also applies to automatic cars. Not all automatic cars are the same in the manner in which you drive them. This said there is one common feature, or to be more accurate, the absence of a common feature – the clutch – automatics do not have a clutch pedal.

Semi automatics differ from automatics in that when you want to change gear you must select the gear you require by either going up a gear or by going down a gear. As with a fully automatic there is no clutch pedal.

The process of learning to drive is enhanced when one is taught via a structured process. Throughout this article are extracts from the process which includes Theory Training, Driving Syllabus, some of the Driving skills you need to possess and samples from the Show Me Tell Me questions, two of which you will get asked at the beginning of a driving test.

Driving Skill:- Do you always position correctly, with the correct gear selected for the speed at which you are traveling? Unless you drive an automatic, correct gear selection is important as is ensuring that you travel at a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Skill Element – Learning to drive comprises many skills. Your dsaadi.com Driving Instructor will teach you all about Road Positioning, Hesitancy and Making Progress.

He or she will show you:-
How to position your vehicle for normal driving.
Where you should position to turn right.
Where you should position to deal with either a left or right bend.
Why it is so important to exercise ‘Lane Discipline’.
What is meant by ‘Hesitancy’.
How you can avoid ‘Hesitancy’.
What things determine the maximum safe speed you can drive at.
What the danger is of driving too slowly for the road and traffic conditions.
How to judge a safe separation distance between you and a vehicle ahead.

When you choose a dsaadi.com Driving Instructor you are assured of expert tuition in the above and all of the other skills needed to be a safe driver.

Hazard Perception Element – An example of a hazard could be a horse and rider that come into view as you are driving along. The reason this may become a hazard is if you approach too fast or too close, the horse may react by rearing and throwing the rider into the path of your car. In order to minimise the risk, slow down and give the horse and rider a wide berth.
Hazard Perception Element – What is the Hazard Perception Test? The Hazard Perception Test (HPT) became part of the Theory Test in 2002, it makes up the second half of your theory test and involves watching a series of video clips and clicking the mouse when a hazard is identified.

Show Me Tell Me Question:- Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

Answer – Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Syllabus element:- Meeting Other Traffic – If there is an obstruction on your side of the road or not enough room for two vehicles to pass safely, be prepared to wait and let approaching vehicle through. When you turn right across the path of an approaching vehicle, make sure you can do so safely. Be careful not to cause other road users to slow down, stop or swerve to avoid you.

THEORY QUESTION

Question – In daylight, an approaching motorcyclist is using a dipped headlight. Why? Choose one answer from the following:-

a) So that the rider can be seen more easily
b) To stop the battery overcharging
c) To improve the rider’s vision
d) The motorcyclist is inviting you to proceed

Answer – a.
THEORY QUESTION

Question – You are carrying a 5 year old child in the back seat of your car. The child is less than 4ft 5inches (1.35 metres) in height. The child must use an adult seat belt under what circumstances. Choose one answer from the following.

a) A correct child restraint is not available
b) It is a lap type belt
c) The child sits between two adults
d) The safety belt can be shared with another adult

Answer – a.

By the time you come to your Driving Test you will need to have perfected the routines and manoeuvres your Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor will have shown you. Here’s to your success.

Automatic Driving Instructors In Abbotsley

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:00:04 +0000

If the reason you are reading this article is because you are looking for a driving instructor to provide your driving tuition, you will be pleased to know that you can search on this site for local driving instructors.

Fully qualified instructors – often have several years of experience and have a high level of confidence in dealing with a wide range of student abilities. Check to see if there are Driving Instructors in Abbotsley

Cars have been around for a very long time and technology never stops developing easier ways in which the car performs many functions such as road holding, braking etc. You would think then that most people would choose the easiest form of driving, automatic cars, but in the UK this is just not so. In America however most people do drive automatics.

Not all automatics perform the same. As with most things, there are different types of automatic cars. There is however one feature thing that all automatics lack and that is the clutch. When learning in an automatic car you will only need one foot to control the brake and the accelerator.

If you are considering learning in an automatic you should be aware that the DSA have a separate category for semi automatics. This is because a true automatic does not require you to select a gear once you have moved off. Semi automatics require you to change gears although there is no clutch pedal.

This article is intended to help you achieve driving test success. The process of learning to drive is one that involves a number of factors. You need to learn Driving Skills, Theory Questions, Hazard Perception awareness, knowledge of the Driving Syllabus and more.

Whilst it is not possible for one article to contain all of this information, we have included a decent selection of material which should help you to understand what is needed.

Driving Skill:- Do you mirror check before change of speed or direction and always signal for the benefit of other road users? Regular mirror checking and helpful signaling are what good drivers do.

Skill Element – The learning to drive syllabus is extensive. One part of it concerns Pedestrian Crossings and Use Of Signals.

A dsaadi.com Driving Instructor will help you to:-
Learn all of the different types of Pedestrian Crossings.
How to recognise a ‘Pedestrian Crossing’ in the road ahead.
Learn the correct procedure to use on the approach to a ‘Pedestrian Crossing’.
Understand the process of correct signaling.
Deal with hesitant pedestrians at a crossing.
Know what is the safe routine for giving signals.
Learn about road markings as they relate to ‘Pedestrian Crossings’.
Understand hand signals mentioned in the Highway Code.
Realise what signals are unnecessary.

Your dsaadi.com Driving Instructor is an expert in the area of driving. He or she will pass on this knowledge to you, helping you to driving test success.

Hazard Perception Element – An example of a hazard could be a car pulling up at the side of the road. The reason this may become a hazard is if the driver or off side passenger opens a door.
Hazard Perception Element – There are so many situations that could become hazards. For example a dog off the leash is a potential hazard. No matter how well behaved a dog may look, it’s actions are unpredictable. When approaching it is wise to reduce your speed and mentally prepare for what you may need to do if the dog jinks into your path.

Show Me Tell Me Question:- Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle)

Answer – Explanation: Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle. (As this is a Tell Me question, there is no need to physically walk round the vehicle).

Show Me Tell Me Question:- Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working correctly. Answer – Activate the indicators or hazard warning lights and walk around the car to see if all the indicators are working correctly.

Syllabus element:- Roundabouts – You should be able to judge the correct speed of approach so that you can approach a roundabout safely and stop if necessary. Position your vehicle correctly. Use the correct lane. If turning right, keep as near to the centre of the roundabout as is safe. When turning left keep over to the left and avoid swinging out. Check your left mirror for cyclists and motorcyclists and before moving to the left check for pedestrians.

THEORY QUESTION

Question – You get a puncture on the motorway. You manage to get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder. Which of the following should you do, choose one answer.

a) Change the wheel yourself immediately
b) Use the emergency telephone and call for assistance
c) Try to wave down another vehicle for help
d) Only change the wheel if you have a passenger to help you

Answer – b.
THEORY QUESTION

As you are driving along you notice a white arrow to your right. The arrow is pointing left. Which of the following should you do? Select one answer.

a) Drivers to use the hard shoulder.
b) Overtaking drivers there is a bend to the left.
c) Overtaking drivers to move back to the left.
d) Drivers, it is safe to overtake.

Answer – c.

Driving Test Success is achieved by perfecting the various disciplines your trainer will have shown you. You will be familiar with the saying ‘ If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again’. Apply this process to learning to drive and driving test success will follow.

Defensive Driving Course Online

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:16:36 +0000

If you’re looking for a State of Texas Approved Defensive Driving Course Online, go to ASenseOfHumorDriving.com. This Defensive Driving Course is funny, easy, and fast. The fee for the defensive driving course online is . The lowest price in Texas.

Automatic Driving Instructors In Braunston

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:03 +0000

The road to riches? Maybe not, but the road to independence, freedom from having to rely on others, certainly. A driving licence is a tremendous asset.

One way of building your confidence is to choose a fully qualified instructor. The dsaadi.com website has a search feature, use it now to see if there are Driving Instructors for Braunston

Nowadays, automatic cars are available with features that were not present a few years ago. It used to be that all automatics would pull forward when in gear, commonly referred to as ‘drive’. This is no longer the case.

Car makers like Toyota are developing safer cars that have many functions. Known as multi modes, these automatics afford you choices that conventional automatics do not such as the ability to select any gear if so desired.

There are three categories of driving tests for cars, manual, automatic and semi automatic. The reason for this is that semi automatics, although they do not have a clutch pedal, still have the need for you to select gears. Due to this the DSA treat semi automatics differently from automatics.

So what does it take to become a safe driver? First you need to have a good understanding of the theory of driving and of the highway code, road signs, road markings etc. Add to this knowledge of the Driving Syllabus plus the Driving Skills you need to acquire and some idea of the Show Me Tell Me questions that get asked at the beginning of a driving test. This information is peppered throughout this article.

Driving Skill:- Unless you drive an automatic, are gears smoothly and correctly selected? Is your braking smooth and progressive? Do you use acceleration sense? There is nothing worse than a driver pulling away with tyres screaming, gears crashing as they are changed and worse still, hard braking!

Skill Element – There is so much to learn when learning to drive. Your dsaadi.com Driving Instructor will teach you all about Crossroads.

Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads.
What routine you should use for approaching and/or turning at crossroads.
Why it is important to check crossroads even if you have priority.
What you must be careful of when turning right at a crossroads.
How you should pass an approaching vehicle at crossroads if you are both turning right.
What the purpose is of a yellow box junction.
Where you should position to go ahead at a crossroads.
When you should position towards the centre of the road to go ahead at crossroads.

Your dsaadi.com Driving Instructor will help you with all of this plus a lot more.

Hazard Perception Element – An example of a hazard could be a horse and rider that come into view as you are driving along. The reason this may become a hazard is if you approach too fast or too close, the horse may react by rearing and throwing the rider into the path of your car. In order to minimise the risk, slow down and give the horse and rider a wide berth.
Hazard Perception Element – An example of a hazard may be a bus stopping at a bus stop. You have to be observant for pedestrians trying to cross the road.

Show Me Tell Me Question:- Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

Answer – No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ? of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.
Show Me Tell Me Question:- Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens

Answer – Set all relevant controls including; fan,temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine

Syllabus element:- Mirrors – Vision & Use – You should use your mirrors often, including exterior mirrors as necessary. Always be aware of your blind spots and act sensible and safely on what you see. Always check carefully before:-

*Signalling
*Changing direction
*Changing speed

Use the MSM (mirror, signal, manoeuvre) routine. Do not signal or act without first using the mirrors.

THEORY QUESTION

As a driver what does the term ‘BLIND SPOT’ mean? Choose one of the following.

a) An area covered by your right-hand mirror.
b) An area not covered by your headlamps.
c) An area covered by your left-hand mirror.
d) An area not seen in your mirrors.

Answer – d.
THEORY QUESTION

Question – Who is responsible for making sure that a vehicle is not overloaded? Choose one answer from the following.

a) The driver of the vehicle
b) The owner of the items being carried
c) The person who loaded the vehicle
d) The licensing authority

Answer – a.

Learning to drive is something that most people can do but there are no shortcuts. As the saying goes – practise makes perfect.

Automatic Driving Instructors In BT64

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 06:00:06 +0000

Getting started – If you are 17 years of age and have a provisional licence you can start your driving lessons in a car, either manual or automatic.

Fully qualified instructors – Feeling safe and relaxed in your driving lessons is incredibly important if you want to learn fast and reduce the number of lessons. Have a look for Driving Instructors covering BT64

In the UK, most people when they learn to drive, opt for learning in a manual car. In the United states and in many other countries around the world this is not the case. In fact, manual or ‘stick shift’ as it is known, is the minority choice.

Automatic cars have changed in recent years. Technology is always developing new ways to do things and this is true also of automatic cars. No longer do all automatic cars pull forward or back when either ‘drive’ or ‘reverse’ is selected.

The creation of multi modes is changing the way automatics perform and manufacturers such as Toyota are investing huge sums of money to make their models safer. The Yaris is a good example of this.

A semi automatic gearbox is a manual gearbox with an automatic clutch, so there is no clutch pedal. To change gear you need to push the gearstick one way or another, either up a gear or down a gear.

This article contains elements of the process involved when learning to drive.

To start with there is the Theory and Hazard Perception Training. This is followed by instruction in driving using a Driving Syllabus. As you learn to drive you will acquire Driving Skills so essential in order to be a safe driver. Finally you learn about your vehicle via the Show Me Tell Me questions, two of which are asked at the start of a driving test.

Skill Element – Driving test success is not luck. It is the culmination of all you learn during your driving lessons. One part of the learning to drive syllabus covers the procedures for ‘Approaching Junctions To Turn Left Or Right’.

A dsaadi.com Driving Instructor will show you:-
How to understand the meaning of ‘Major And Minor Roads’.
What routine to use for turning left or right from a major to minor road.
What you should be looking for before turning into a minor road.
What is meant by ‘Corner Cutting’ and why it is potentially dangerous.
What to do if an approaching driver ‘Flashes His Headlamp’.
What you must not do to other drivers when turning either left or right.
What the correct procedure is for turning left or right into a minor road.
How to prioritize with regard to pedestrians you see crossing a road you intend turning into.

All Instructors registered with dsaadi.com are experienced and fully qualified driving instructors. He or she can advise you on the above plus all of the other syllabus items.

Hazard Perception Element – What is the Hazard Perception Test? The Hazard Perception Test (HPT) became part of the Theory Test in 2002, it makes up the second half of your theory test and involves watching a series of video clips and clicking the mouse when a hazard is identified.

Hazard Perception Element – There are so many situations that could become hazards. For example a dog off the leash is a potential hazard. No matter how well behaved a dog may look, it’s actions are unpredictable. When approaching it is wise to reduce your speed and mentally prepare for what you may need to do if the dog jinks into your path.

Show Me Tell Me Question:- Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working. Answer – Activate the brake pedal and make use of reflections in garage doors etc to see if the brake lights come on or ask someone to help.
Show Me Tell Me Question:- Show me/explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer :- If the steering becomes heavy the steering may be faulty. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. 1) Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained whilst the engine is started, should result in slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. 2) Turning the steering wheel after just moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assisted steering is functioning correctly.

Syllabus element:- Junctions – You should be able to judge the correct speed of approach so that you can enter a junction safely and stop if necessary. Position your vehicle correctly. Use the correct lane. If turning right, keep as near to the centre of the road as is safe. Avoid cutting the corner when turning right. when turning left keep over to the left and avoid swinging out. Check your left mirror for cyclists and motorcyclists and before moving to the left check for pedestrians.

THEORY QUESTION

Question – You get a puncture on the motorway. You manage to get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder. Which of the following should you do, choose one answer.

Answer – b.
THEORY QUESTION

As a driver what does the term ‘BLIND SPOT’ mean? Choose one of the following.

a) An area covered by your right-hand mirror.
b) An area not covered by your headlamps.
c) An area covered by your left-hand mirror.
d) An area not seen in your mirrors.

Answer – d.

Expert instruction coupled with your determination to succeed. That’s what it takes to pass a driving test. Over to you!

Automatic Driving Instructors In Brandesburton

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:00:03 +0000

You will be pleased to know that you can use dsaadi.com in order to search for local driving instructors. If any are listed for the area in which you live, you may find a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor, to provide a comprehensive course of practical driving tuition in a safe, calm and friendly atmosphere.

Have a look now by using our search function. Enter either your postcode or location and there may be one or more ADI’s giving Driving Tuition in Brandesburton

If you are thinking of learning to drive an automatic car it is important to realise that there are different types of automatics and they have different characteristics but one things is common. Automatics do not have clutches so you only need use one foot when driving.

Driving Skill:- Can you reverse park either on the road or in a car park whilst safely observing all around you? There are two parking manoeuvres. You need to be able to reverse park into a parking bay. The other parking exercise is known as a ‘parallel park’ where you reverse park on the road.

All Instructors registered with dsaadi.com are experienced and fully qualified driving instructors. He or she can advise you on the above plus all of the other syllabus items.

Hazard Perception Element – An example of a hazard could be a car pulling up at the side of the road. The reason this may become a hazard is if the driver or off side passenger opens a door.
Hazard Perception Element – What is a Hazard? A Hazard is anything that would cause you as a driver to change speed or direction, as you gain experience through your driving lessons you will be aware of situations that may develop in to a hazard

Show Me Tell Me Question:- Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car

Answer – Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
Show Me Tell Me Question:- Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

Answer – No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ? of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

Syllabus element:- Emergency Stop – If you have to brake in an emergency remember to brake evenly and progressively and try to avoid locking the wheels. Remember that in wet weather it can take twice as long to stop safely. If you are riding a motorcycle you must make correct use of the front and rear brakes to make sure that you stop the machine as quickly as possible.

THEORY QUESTION

Question – You are approaching a hump back bridge. Choose three answers from the six possibles.

a) move into the middle of the road to get a better view
b) slow down
c) get over the bridge as quickly as possible
d) consider using your horn
e) find another route
f) beware of pedestrians

Answer – b,d,f.
THEORY QUESTION

Question – In daylight, an approaching motorcyclist is using a dipped headlight. Why? Choose one answer from the following:-

a) So that the rider can be seen more easily
b) To stop the battery overcharging
c) To improve the rider’s vision
d) The motorcyclist is inviting you to proceed

Answer – a.

Expert instruction coupled with your determination to succeed. That’s what it takes to pass a driving test. Over to you!

The New Tool for Older Driver Safety: Brain Training Games. AAA Foundation CEO Explains

admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:43:35 +0000

The New Tool for Older Driver Safety: Brain Training Games. AAA Foundation CEO Explains

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Home Page > Automotive > The New Tool for Older Driver Safety: Brain Training Games. AAA Foundation CEO Explains

The New Tool for Older Driver Safety: Brain Training Games. AAA Foundation CEO Explains

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Posted: Sep 30, 2009 |Comments: 0
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The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety just started recommending a new “brain training” driver safety program called DriveSharp, developed by Posit Science. DriveSharp is a computerized cognitive assessment and training tool based on Karlene Ball’s research on older adults’ cognitive fitness and driving.

Commenting on this news, Peter Kissinger, CEO of the AAA Foundation, recently said that “Part of making our nation’s roads safer is helping mature drivers who wish to stay active – a quickly growing population – maintain or improve their driving safety.”

We have Peter Kissinger with us to discuss the context for this innovative initiative.

Question: Peter, I appreciate your time. In order to set the context, would you introduce the role and priorities of the AAA Foundation?

Answer: Sure. As you know, AAA has over 50 million members. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety prioritizes four main areas of work:

- Introduce a culture of traffic safety. It is an outrage that there is a driving-related death every 13 minutes in the US, and yet, we seem to accept this as status quo

- Improve road safety, especially on rural roads, where almost 60% of the deaths occur,

- Improve safety among teens, one of the highest risk groups

- Improve safety among seniors, another high-risk group.

Q: I understand your priorities are thee safety of teenagers and older drivers?

A: Yes. You have probably seen the U-shaped risk curve that shows how accident risks are very high among teenagers, then decrease and remain stable until our 60s, and then increase again.

We have promoted initiatives such as DriverZED (see www.driverzed.org) to help teenagers better identify and manage the typical sources of risk, so they advance faster through the learning curve. For older adults who want to keep driving we need to ensure the right balance between the privilege of driving with the right of mobility – we know that losing one’s ability to drive has negative consequences for the person.

Q: Given aging population trends, it is clear we need to introduce better systems to balance those two goals you just outlined -safety and mobility. Do you think as a society we are prepared?

A: I don’t think we are, and I am pessimistic that we will be in the short term. This is a very important problem: official estimates say that the proportion of all drivers who are over 65 years of age will grow from 15% today to 25% in 2025.

Let me explain the context: two years ago we put together a workshop to identify the state of the research and the state of the practice of driver safety among older adults. The main conclusion was that the current system of licensing is inadequate, inconsistent and does not reflect the research available. For example, age per se is not the most meaningful indicator of driver safety since different people inside the same age group may have different levels of cognitive ability that influence their driving fitness.

The problem is that this is a very sensitive arena: the quality of the DMV is usually measured by wait times and ease to renew the license….so it is going to be tough for any politician to challenge this state of things and introduce serious initiatives based on better driving fitness screening and assessment tools.

Some states like Maryland and California are leading innovation based on recent research; but it remains to be seen if their best practices will be adopted more widely.

Q: Innovation will probably spread faster when presented as a preventive intervention to maintain driver fitness, such as what the AAA Foundation just announced with Posit Science. Can you explain the rationale for your initiative?

A: Exactly. The main characteristics of the problem are obvious to anyone involved in driver safety research. The challenge is what we can do about it. In our work we constantly evaluate many potential programs, for example how to get the medical community more engaged, and we decided to offer a cognitive screening and training program such as DriveSharp.

We decided to recommend DriveSharp for two reasons. First, it is validated both as a screening tool of driver safety and as a training tool of cognitive functions (useful field of view, speed of processing) that are critical for driving especially among older adults. Second, the technology makes it highly scalable – many drivers can easily access the benefits at an affordable cost.

We really believe, based on the research we have seen, that this program can help reduce the crash rates among older drivers, but we of course need to analyze how many of AAA’s 51 million members (and other drivers) end up using it and what benefits they will get. Past research has shown we should expect to see a 50% reduction in at-fault crash risk for those that complete the program.

Q: Assuming the results are as good as you expect, what would be some logical next steps for policy makers and auto insurers?

A: I think that insurance companies will start to see the value of these programs quickly and will offer them for free or at a deep discount to their members because they will understand the direct financial benefits from doing so -the financial benefits of having safer drivers.

It will take a while for policy-makers to catch up. But I do believe that in the longer term we will see this type of technology introduced as part of the mainstream licensing process.

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Alvaro Fernandez -
About the Author:

Alvaro Fernandez is the Co-Author of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness (May 2009, $24.95), the first consumer guide that reviews the science behind brain training games. You can Order this brain fitness Book at Amazon.com. Alvaro has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNN and more. He holds MA in Education and MBA from Stanford University.

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Haynes Driving Schools

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:00:03 +0000

The website we have created for the benefit of learner drivers and driving instructors is www.dsaadi.com. The initials DSAADI stands for Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructors.

The Driving Standards Agency is the body that monitors and governs the Driving Instruction Industry. In order to pass your driving test it is always a good idea to learn with a Driving Instructor who has passed all the tests required of him or her. All Driving Instructors that are registered with dsaadi.com all fully qualified. Have a look to see if any cover Haynes

Driving is not just about being able to control a motor vehicle. In order to be a safe driver it is important to have a good knowledge of both the theory and practice of driving and a well developed ability to observe all that is going on around you.

Inserted into this article about Driving Schools there are references to Driving Skills, questions relating to the Theory Test, examples of the Driving Syllabus and one or more questions that you may be asked at the start of your Driving Test. These are known as ‘Show Me Tell Me’ questions.

Syllabus element:- Reversing – When you are reversing you will need to control your vehicles speed. Steer a course reasonably close to the kerb. Remember that the front of your vehicle will swing out as you turn a corner. Throughout all of this, maintain effective observation of the area around you and act sensibly and safely on what you see.

Avoid hitting or mounting the kerb, or steering too wide.

Driving Skill:- Do you concentrate properly and avoid distractions? Can you read the road and anticipate potential hazards in good time? These are both driving skills that good drivers possess.

Hazard Perception Element – Defensive Driving and Hazard Perception are desirable if your aim is to be a safe driver. Your ability to anticipate the actions of other drivers is a very worthwhile skill and can prevent accidents that less experienced drivers may not be able to. Hazard Perception Element – Examples of hazards could be – Hidden Road Junctions – Vehicles changing/merging lanes – Pedestrians exiting vehicles.

Syllabus element:- Dual Carriageways – When traveling at speeds greater than 40mph, ensure that your following distance is sufficient. Observe the two second rule and increase the safe distance when driving on wet or slippery roads.

THEORY QUESTION

You are about to stop. Which one of the following should you do?

a) Sound the horn.
b) Use the mirrors.
c) Select a higher gear.
d) Flash your headlights.

Answer – b. THEORY QUESTION

When following a large vehicle you should keep well back. Why? Which one of the following should you choose?

a) It allows you to corner more quickly.
b) It helps the large vehicle to stop more easily.
c) It allows the driver to see you in the mirrors.
d) It helps you to keep out of the wind.

Answer – c. THEORY QUESTION

You are approaching traffic lights that have been green for some time. Which one of the following should you do?

a) Accelerate hard.
b) Maintain your speed.
c) Be ready to stop should the lights change.
d) Brake hard.

Answer – c.

Show Me Tell Me Question :- Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer :- Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level against the min/max levels.

In summary, our fully qualified experienced instructors can help you on the path to a full licence. What is needed from you is the correct attitude and plenty of practice.

Safe Driving School

admin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:15:47 +0000

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