Some learner drivers tend to rely on a parent or guardian to provide them with driving knowledge. It’s easy to see why; many older drivers have considerable experience on the roads, often in a wide range of conditions, and are familiar to the learner. Unfortunately, the scope of focus of parent ‘instructors’ is generally limited, and this can take a regrettable toll on the eventual skills of the learner. While driving with a parent can be a great way to get the raw hours of driving experience and culture a sense of independence and confidence, it’s virtually essential that professional instruction is available for the young driver. This will allow them to develop proper skills consistent with the demands of the VicRoads assessors and the regimen of safe driving.

Driving lessons focus on developing crucial skills within pupils. Many supervising drivers, despite their often sound experience, all too often lack an extensive knowledge of the road rules and situations outside of their routine driving patterns. Instructors are trained to educate young drivers on all essential facets of driving, ensuring that there are no holes in their knowledge base. This is one of the reasons behind our very high pass rate. Surprises may often come up in the drive test that can throw inexperienced young drivers, and at worst cause them to fail their drive test. Taking lessons greatly improves their chances of succeeding and remaining responsible drivers.

Whether at the beginning of the learning process or the final stretch before the final tests, driving lessons are excellent ways of consolidating driving ability or establishing a firm, reliable and secure skill base for aspiring motorists. Book a lesson today, and ensure that your skills are honed for the world of driving.

The two second rule is about the following distance behind the vehicle in front.

The following distance is the space or gap between you and the vehicle in front.

You must keep your vehicle a safe distance from any vehicle in front of you. A safe distance should be enough to allow time to slow down and avoid trouble.

You should be at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front. You can check this by a simple test:

>> Focus on a marker in the distance such as a signpost or tree and note when the vehicle in front passes the marker, then count the number of seconds before your vehicle passes the same marker. Ask your supervising driver to also do this and compare your results.

If your count is not at least two seconds then you are to close.

At least two seconds of time and the distance this represents under ideal driving conditions are necessary to give you time to react to any changes which may happen.

Often, you may need more than two seconds,

This includes:

>> when visibility is poor

>> if conditions are dark

>> if conditions are wet or slippery

>> when you have a heavy load

>> when the road is unmade

You need to develop your judgement skills about what distance at different speeds represents two seconds. This skill will only come with lots of supervised driving experience.

But remember , under any conditions that are less than ideal, a longer gap is recommrnded.

Souce:  The Road to Solo Driving

Drivers of all ages are involved in crashes. However, young drivers have more crashes than others and are more likely to be involved in the same types of crashes.

Two important things that can help reduce the involvement of young people in road crashes are:

1  Having plenty of driving practice during the learner period.

2  Slowing down to provide plenty of space and time to be able to react to the unexpected.

Common errors made by learner drivers are often as a result of:

>> Not scanning the environment well.

>> Misjudging the speed of other vehicles, particularly oncoming cars.

>> Travelling too close to other vehicles.

>> Travelling too fast, both for the road conditions and for their level of experience.

>> Being overconfident in their ability.

>> Speeding.

>> Inattentiveness or fatigue.

The three most common crash types for young drivers involve:

A  Both turning and driving straight ahead at intersections.

B  Rear end crashes.

C  Veering off the road to the left.

A. Both turning and driving straight ahead at intersections

Why do young people become involved in this type of crash ?

>> Poor or insufficient scanning of the driving environment.

>> Not judging the gap in the traffic well.

>> Overconfidence in driving ability.

>> Speeding.

>> Reliance on other drivers to avoid a crash.

B. Rear end crashes

Why do young people become involved in this type of crash ?

Driver at rear :

>>  Speeding.

>>  Not enough space left between vehicles.

>>  Relying on other drivers to avoid a crash.

>>  Driver distraction.

>>  Misjudging the required stopping distance.

Driver in front: 

>>  Driver distracted.

>>  Not doing enough or any mirror or head checks.

>>  Indicating intentions late or not at all.

>>  Misjudging stopping distance, and late braking.

C.    Veering off the road to the left.

Why do young people become involved in this type of crash?

>>  Speeding.

>>  Lack of steering control.

>>  Distraction from the driving Task.

>>  Fatigue.

Source:   ATSB   Key Facts for New Drivers

Why is it often safer to lower your speed limit to below the posted speed ?

Busy roads are full of unexpected problems. A child may see its parents on the opposite side of the road and dart across without looking. You may be in control of your vehicle but you can’t control what other road users may do.

If you reduce your speed, you have more time to react to an unexpected situation.

When roads are wet and slippery it takes much longer for your vehicle to come to a stop after applying the brakes. When it rains after a long period of dry weather it is even more important to go slower, as the rain mixes with oil and dust on the road, making it even more slippery than usual.

Bright sunlight can blind you just for a moment when a hazard appears in the distance. If you are travelling at a slower speed you have time to react safely.

If you are travelling in an unfamiliar area, you will not be aware of the dangers that are around. By slowing down, even by 5 km/h, you give yourself an opportunity to see any hazards and more time to react.

Remember, the slower you go, the more time you have to react to unexpected situations.

Source:  ATSB  Key Facts For New Drivers 

From 23 November 2009, VicRoads is introducing a new and more secure learner permit, probationary licence and driver licence.

VicRoads will no longer issue these over the counter at its Customer Service Centres.

When you obtain, renew or replace your licence VicRoads will mail it to you within about a week.

You will be given a temporary driver licence receipt which you can use until your new licence arrives.

Your old licence remains current until its expiry date and there is no extra cost for this new, more secure licence.

Why the Change

There has been an increase in the illegal use of driver licences to commit fraud.

The new licence has improved security including a new clear, see through section in the centre of the licence.

These features will protect the personal information of the licence holder and make it more difficult to use the licence fraudulently.

This new licence will be manufactured at a highly secure , centralised facility using state-of-the-art technology and advanced printing processes. That’s why you will receive it by mail not on the spot at VicRoads Customer Service Centres.

Source VicRoads Licensing

http:www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licensing/TypesOfLicences/ThenewVictoriandriverlicence.htm

• It is normal to be nervous on your Licence Test so turn that nervous energy in to a positive so as your awareness skills are totally switched on.
• You would not be attempting your Licence Test if your instructor did not think you were ready and at a standard to pass.
• You have been taught to drive defensively.
• You are aware of the Victorian Road law and are required to obey it.
• You have completed a minimum of 120 Hours driving including at least 10 hours of night driving, if not more, over a two year period.
• You have practised on all types of roads and conditions Including freeways highways and city traffic including busy intersections and high volume traffic areas.
• Your car control and observation skills are at a safe standard and your concentration levels are good.
• You are aware of the Victorian Drive Test Criteria and drive to that standard.
• You are aware of the pre drive check and have no problems identifying the controls as they are checked.
• You have driven around the area that your Licence Test will be conducted in and have been shown any unusual traffic situations road markings or intersections that are out of the ordinary.
• You are set to pass
• The driving test is just like another driving lesson with the exception of the licence testing officer being in the back seat.
• If you are not sure of any directions ask and they will be repeated.
• Your driving instructor sits in the front seat as per normal driving lessons.
• Finally: The licence testing officer is not out to fail you, their job is to assess driving standard; and if it meets that standard, [and it will] issue you with your licence.

Written By David - Driving Instructor at Eastern Driving School Melbourne

Should we change the blood alcohol concentration from .05 to .02 ? Debate is about to rage as to change the limit or not and we will all have or should have an opinion. Limits vary between country’s example Australia .05, Ireland .08, Italy .05, Jamaica .08, Japan .03, Norway .02, Poland .02, Romania .00, Sweden .02, UK .08, Us .08, {Source Drink and Stay Alive]

As a driving instructor my view is that the limit should be zero not even .02  we as instructors need to be .00 whilst teaching people to drive. Supervising drivers need to be under .05 and it was not that long ago that the law was changed to implement that restriction.

Anything and everything that the State Government can do to decrease the carnage on our roads should be done let us bite the bullet and make the hard but safer decision.

The conference is being held at the Bayview Eden in Melbourne. Sunday Date 18-10-09 Time 1.30 To 5.30. The conference is sponsored by VicRoads ,the TAC, the Victorian Taxi Directorate, the RACV and Rowland house.You will hear from guest speakers on The latest road safety trends,Road infrastructure Improvement initiatives,Lessons from the Police and accident investigators,Updates from VicRoads on Graduated Licensing. People who are interested in attending call ADTA  Andrew Judkins 03 9809 5777

The new road rules will be effective from 9 November 2009, the changes will improve road safety and make road rules more consistent across Australia.

The Key Changes are:

Line Marking {centre driving line}

Seatbelts

Parking

Mobile phones and visual display units

Motorcyclists

Cyclists

Wheeled recreational devices

Driving with trams

Drivers and Riders {other rules] Visit

Child Restraints *announced in may 2009

For full reference to road rule changes visit  www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/roadrules

It’s important that you select a driving school that has been operating for some  time and  is affiliated with  or belongs to The Australian Driver Trainers Association Of Victoria. The Driving School industry is made up of single operators, small to medium operators 1-10 vehicles and major players.You need a driving instructor who is skilled in manner and people skills and enabled to impart knowledge and create a calm and structured learning experience.