Qualification in Safe Driving

1st November 2012

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames recognises the importance of investing in road safety training for young people. The youth support service developed a course, based on an XPI driving simulator, leading to an AQA in safe driving and is seeing an extremely positive response.

Now in its third year of operation the project is proving to be very popular with pre-drivers in the 16+ age group. The simulator enables young people to practise driving and to gain necessary knowledge and skills before going onto the road for the first time. Studies have shown that education and practise at this stage improves the quality of driving during the most dangerous early years.

Steve Hunt the manager of Dickerage Sports & Community Centre said “The simulator is very popular within the council and is used by the young people of the borough on a daily basis”. James Sutton the senior instructor of the simulator said “Young people come from all over the borough as well as outside the borough to learn on the simulator. I was one of the first young people to learn on the simulator, when I started my driving lesson in January 2011 the first thing my instructor said was ' You have been driving before haven't you?' so from my own experience the simulator really helps and gives you the skills and knowledge before you even step into a fully motorised vehicle”.

The simulator starts with brake reaction tests involving driving at various speeds in different weather conditions. The drivers can then practise DSA-style hazard perception exercises to gain experience on all road types from country lanes to motorways. They can also simulate the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol or the deterioration in driving ability with distraction from a mobile phone.

ENDS