Learner Drivers And Speeding
Learner driver and Speeding
“You’re going too fast!” “Slow down!”
Does this sound familiar?
Why do most young drivers speed? Drivers of all ages speed and the young driver sees this driving behaviour as the ‘norm’.
Driving is more difficult that it looks, with many different tasks needing to be done at the same time. While braking,steering, changing gears, looking out for hazards and applying the road rules, young drivers often do not notice the speed at which they are travelling.
Modern cars are built a bit like comfy lounge- good seats, a great sound system, air conditioning, not much external noise. This quiet, comfortable ride insulates the driver from the clues that indicate the car is going too fast- things like vibration and wind noise.
How do we start building a sensitivity to speed for learners.
While they are passengers in the front seat continually ask them what speed limit is in the area you are driving.
Have them estimate how fast you are travelling without looking at the speedo.
Get them to judge the speed of vehicles coming towards you.
Describe and discuss how a vehicle sounds and feels as you increase and decrease speed.
Talk about driving for the conditions rather than at the posted speed.
Explain the three - second following rule.
On the open highway, when you have to slow as you approach a built up area, ask your learner driver to guess your speed. Talk about the feeling ‘Velocitation’ caused by long periods of high-speed travel. When the speed is dropped, the actual speed speed appears to less than it actually is.
Most young drivers speed because they underestimate the risks they are exposing themselves to. They believe they can beat the odds.
“You’re going too fast!” “Slow down!”
Does this sound familiar?
Why do most young drivers speed? Drivers of all ages speed and the young driver sees this driving behaviour as the ‘norm’.
Driving is more difficult that it looks, with many different tasks needing to be done at the same time. While braking,steering, changing gears, looking out for hazards and applying the road rules, young drivers often do not notice the speed at which they are travelling.
Modern cars are built a bit like comfy lounge- good seats, a great sound system, air conditioning, not much external noise. This quiet, comfortable ride insulates the driver from the clues that indicate the car is going too fast- things like vibration and wind noise.
How do we start building a sensitivity to speed for learners.
While they are passengers in the front seat continually ask them what speed limit is in the area you are driving.
Have them estimate how fast you are travelling without looking at the speedo.
Get them to judge the speed of vehicles coming towards you.
Describe and discuss how a vehicle sounds and feels as you increase and decrease speed.
Talk about driving for the conditions rather than at the posted speed.
Explain the three - second following rule.
On the open highway, when you have to slow as you approach a built up area, ask your learner driver to guess your speed. Talk about the feeling ‘Velocitation’ caused by long periods of high-speed travel. When the speed is dropped, the actual speed speed appears to less than it actually is.
Most young drivers speed because they underestimate the risks they are exposing themselves to. They believe they can beat the odds.
| flyer_schools_2002-_speeding.doc |
