Young Driver Traing Program
 

Well, I am finally back home after a loong day at Sandown International Raceway with my 17-yo nephew who spent the day with me in the Z34 doing some "pre-license" driver training (my birthday rpesent to him).

Commercially run, the course takes young drivers thru a series of classroom and practical exercise on the track to expose them to the "theory" (including some graphic video's) and the practise of speed and consequences. Mainly low-speed work, not a lot above 80-90 kph, but enough to get the car out of shape so that the kids understand what "losing control" is about, and also so they understand what it feels like to trigger the ABS and stablility control.

I understand that driver-ed in the US is a tad more advanced that we have down here, but I have to say that I was very impressed with the simplicity of the messages and the improvement in the kids driving (most were 17 and a half and have 18 months "experience" as learner-drivers - i.e. driving whilst accompanied by a supervising adult who is a fully licensed driver).

I'd imagine that the stats are similary worldwide - 18-25 year-olds run 4 times the risk of death in a motor vehicle accident and 11 times the risk of a non-fatal accident that has a permenant legacy (usually an aquired brain injury).

Certainly makes you think a little ... and for those in Oz, I can highly recommend these types of courses.

RB

driver ed in the US is a joke dude.

Probably the worst drivers in the world out here.

the coaches end up teaching drivers ed because to be a coach you also have to teach something and thats the easiest.

We must be the only country that have 80 years old running into crowds every month.

The best thing you can do for a young/new driver is enroll them in a high performance driving's eduction program for teens. Many groups, like NASA, and the BMWCCA host events like this each year. It WILL save their lives...I can't stress this enough.

Once young people experience driving cars at the limit on a controlled track, the desire to do so on the street is greatly diminished. And their level of car control, correction, and recover will help them avoid accidents on the road.

Couldn't agree more which is why I sponsored the day. As soon as he gets more experience he will be booked in for HPDE style day.

:iagree::iagree: