The car is a piece of technical sophistication manufactured to high safety standards, similarly our highways incorporate low-risk designs to minimise accident risk.

Ultimately, the success of these efforts of quality product engineering are limited by individual user decisions, often made in a split second, behind the wheel.

At the age of 17 it is possible to pass the driving test with less than 25 hours coaching. This represents little more than the total hours in one day. Research suggests that 85% of drivers never take any further driving tuition after passing their driving test. Reaction assessments on full licence holders suggest that in real situations, new drivers in particular tend not to have a good perception of danger. Preparation purely for the basic driving test isn't enough for someone intending to earn a living as a high mileage company representative, so further professional training has to be a serious consideration.

Early Learning
Previous personal experience before taking driving tuition is a big influence on the new driver. While learning to drive, there are three recognised phases. With experience and further training we can continue to develop these areas:
1. controlling the car
2. applying Highway Code road procedures and
3. adopting a defensive attitude

Back to top

Driving for Business
Qualified driver training is a commercially viable investment for better business. The Association of Car Fleet Operators reported that 76% of responding companies have seen a reduction in accidents after training. 53% of companies reported lower costs per accident and 37% had their insurance premiums reduced as a result.

Improved performance behind the wheel should help the company representative feel more relaxed and composed after driving to meet a new prospect or existing client. This has to be of benefit to productivity and efficiency. Financial logic demands for business fleet and transport managers that vehicle running costs need to kept down in terms of reducing:

	insurance premiums and compensation claims
	accident repairs
	injuries and downtime
	litigation and legal costs
	excessive wear and tear
	fuel consumption and increasing resale value

Companies employing high mileage representatives and other drivers might find that two systems of driving values exist. There are the espoused safety values which management advocate, and the actual work procedures or systems of reward that seem to undermine them. A more profitable working environment and a zero accident culture are achievable where the discrepancies between espoused and actual values are confronted. A mutual proactive problem solving approach will ensure that people concentrate on solutions rather than who might be at fault !

Back to top

Quality Tuition
97% of all driving test candidates take some professional tuition with a driving school in one of their small hatchback cars. Most company cars are however larger saloons with higher engine performance and different handling characteristics. Further tuition in vehicle familiarisation is the logical step. Instructors have a leading role in publicising the incentives and advantages of such a course, the cost of which could well be met by the employer. Tuition begins with a study of the manufacturer's manual. From this point, the practical content and design of a personnel driving course depends on the driver's needs and any special company requirements. Courses include:

	Vehicle familiarisation
	Chauffeur driving
	Female security
	Skid control techniques
	High Performance
	Stress and time management techniques
	Anti-hijack/terrorist, emergency response and containment tactics

Maintaining a disciplined approach to training is very important in a safety sense, however some flexibility about driving style will bring out the best in the course members. Using the facilitation method, modern instructional programmes concentrate on visual search technique, with the object of achieving:

	swift, but safe progress
	acceleration sense
	simplified gear box usage
	planned systematic overtaking on single carriageway country roads

Back to top

Quality Driving - Space and Time Management
We've defined advanced motoring as 'planned driving that makes safe and efficient use of road space'. Instructors teach the rudiments of this to student drivers by explaining how to 'read the road' like a detective novel. Learners are encouraged to look for clues and are assisted in decisions to help them decide the best responses. In this way, the car is being driven by two people working as a 'forward planning team' with a driving plan.

The personnel driving objectives carry on from previous learning by improving awareness and building confidence. Improving awareness will make driving more enjoyable and safer, especially at high speeds; building confidence will improve efficiency and performance.

Awareness is the key to achieving the best possible management of space and time. This requires good judgement of the speeds and anticipated movements of other road users; sound responses to the same.

Anticipating the 'unexpected' means no big surprises. There may be occasional times when even the best of drivers have to use an emergency course of action or escape route.

Sometimes it’s clear that you either have to brake hard to avoid a collision or simply turn the steering wheel to swerve. The latter only requires one hand movement and can be the quicker means of evasive action.

An incident can be totally avoided where an early use is made of the horn, or main beam headlights to make others aware of your presence. A courteous acknowledgement of the other driver's co-operation confirms the polite nature of your warning.

Back to top

Personnel Driving
Employees will find that a personnel driving course is pragmatic. Driving fast and being assertive, so long as it's in the right places is positively encouraged. Demonstrating the same courtesy and consideration we usually show for others when we're outside the car mustn't be forgotten when we're inside the car, no matter how much of a hurry we are in. Pride in your skills and self-control, personnel driving is a very thorough and convincing investment in a vital human resource.

There are very few self taught athletes in the world. In the same way that every sports professional trains and practices hard, the attitude you have towards your driving needs to be equally as serious.

Back to top