The majority of driving schools focus on the essentials necessary for new drivers to obtain their licences, like mastering the rules of the road and basic vehicle manoeuvres. However, there is a significant advantage in incorporating advanced driving techniques that promote greater safety, efficiency, and confidence on the road. At 121 Driver Training, we understand the importance of providing comprehensive and forward-thinking education to our trainee instructors. That’s why our TfNSW and ASQA approved Driving Instructor Course ensures that instructors are equipped not only with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to teach new drivers, but also with an understanding of advanced driving techniques that will benefit their learners immensely.
Our primary goal is to graduate highly skilled and adaptable driving instructors who can effectively teach advanced driving methods and strategies. By doing this, we empower our instructors to prepare their learners for a wide range of driving situations and conditions with a focus on safety, performance, and efficiency.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the various advanced driving techniques 121 Driver Training includes in our Driving Instructor Course and discuss the benefits of incorporating these strategies into driver instruction. From defensive driving and eco-driving to adapting driving styles for various road and weather conditions, we’ll demonstrate how a holistic approach to driving instruction can create more competent, confident, and well-rounded drivers.
Embracing Advanced Driving Techniques: How 121 Driver Training Takes Driving Instruction to the Next Level
Building on the introduction, let’s delve deeper into the world of advanced driving techniques, the benefits they offer, and how 121 Driver Training incorporates these methods into our comprehensive Driving Instructor Course.
1. Defensive Driving: Anticipating and Mitigating Risks
Defensive driving is the practice of using safe driving techniques to identify and react to potential road hazards and the actions of other drivers. It encompasses a wide range of skills meant to reduce the risks associated with driving.
At 121 Driver Training, we teach our trainee instructors how to educate their learners on the following defensive driving principles:
– Look ahead: Stay aware of your surroundings and scan the road for potential hazards, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles.
– Maintain a safe distance: Keep an appropriate distance from other vehicles to allow for adequate reaction time in case of sudden stops or changes in traffic flow.
– Communicate intentions: Use turn signals, brake lights, and other signals to convey your intentions to other road users.
– Anticipate other drivers’ actions: Pay attention to the behaviour of other drivers to predict and avoid potential conflicts.
– Be prepared for emergencies: Train learners to respond calmly and effectively to unexpected situations, such as tyre blowouts or sudden changes in road conditions.
2. Eco-driving: Promoting Fuel Efficiency and Reduced Emissions
Eco-driving refers to adopting driving techniques designed to enhance fuel efficiency and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Teaching eco-driving practices not only benefits the environment but can also result in cost savings for drivers.
Our Driving Instructor Course incorporates eco-driving principles to ensure trainee instructors can impart the following eco-friendly tips to their learners:
– Smooth and controlled acceleration and deceleration: Teach learners to avoid abrupt stops and starts, as they can lead to higher fuel consumption.
– Optimal gear use: Encourage the use of appropriate gears for driving conditions and speed to maximise engine efficiency.
– Limit idling: Explain the benefits of switching off the engine during prolonged waits, such as at train crossings.
– Correct tyre pressure: Demonstrate how maintaining proper tyre pressure can reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency.
– Remove unnecessary weight and wind resistance: Advise learners to avoid carrying unnecessary items and remove roof racks when not in use.
3. Adapting Driving Techniques for Various Road and Weather Conditions
The ability to adapt driving techniques to suit different road and weather conditions is essential for maintaining safety and control. 121 Driver Training ensures that our trainee instructors can teach their learners how to navigate these challenging situations.
Some of the challenging conditions our trainees learn to address include:
– Wet or slippery roads: Instruct learners to reduce speed, increase following distance and maintain control while braking and accelerating.
– Low visibility: Teach the appropriate use of headlights, fog lights, and indicators, in addition to reducing speed and staying alert in conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or dust storms.
– Hilly or mountainous terrain: Instruct on the appropriate use of engine braking, maintaining safe speeds on downhill grades, and navigating tight corners.
– Unsealed roads: Guide learners on adjusting speed, maintaining control during skids or slides on gravel surfaces, and the proper use of high/low range gears in 4WD vehicles.
4. Educating Learners on Advanced Vehicle Features and Technologies
With the constant advancements in vehicle technology, driving instructors must stay informed and be prepared to teach learners how to utilise these features effectively. Our Driving Instructor Course covers various advanced vehicle features, ensuring instructors are well-versed in their use and guiding principles:
– Electronic stability control: Trainees are educated on the operation, benefits, and limitations of electronic stability control systems, which help maintain vehicle stability during sharp turns or on slippery surfaces.
– Anti-lock braking systems (ABS): Instructors learn to teach the proper use of ABS and the importance of maintaining firm, consistent pressure on the brake pedal during panic stops.
– Adaptive cruise control: Learners are taught the operation and benefits of this feature, which automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed based on the distance to the vehicle ahead.
Conclusion
By incorporating advanced driving techniques into driving instructor education, 121 Driver Training graduates are equipped to instruct their learners effectively, instilling greater safety, efficiency, and confidence in their driving skills. The result is a generation of drivers better prepared for the diverse challenges they’ll face on the road.
If you’re ready to become a knowledgeable and versatile driving instructor capable of teaching advanced driving techniques, consider enrolling in 121 Driver Training’s comprehensive Driving Instructor Course. By doing so, you’ll embark on a rewarding career path characterised by continuous learning and the satisfaction of contributing to the development of safer, more skilled drivers.
