A so-called “driver safety training” course, is a special seminar aimed at all motor vehicle drivers, and it is specifically devised to spread awareness of traffic safety. The aim of driver safety training is to identify beforehand, classify, and avoid road traffic dangers and risks. The course participants get to know their motor vehicles’ functioning better and learn, therefore, how to control them more effectively. Moreover, they are made aware of technical advancements, such as ABS (Anti-lock braking system) and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme). Driver safety training takes place in a specially devised set environment called a Safety Driving Centre. In this training facility, several situations and scenarios get simulated.
Types of driver safety training
Driver safety training courses are thought in the main for passenger car drivers, although there are others more specifically geared to drivers of motorbikes, lorries, buses, off road vehicles, and emergency vehicles (ambulance, police, etc.); such courses strive to improve safety driving standards. There are several levels available, from which car drivers may choose, according to each driver’s level of knowledge. The are several driving schools, who will offer these services, whereby some are classifying their courses into different groups:
- Compact Training
- Basic Training
- Intensive Training
- Improver Training
- Advanced Training
The various levels on offer differ in course duration and in the miscellaneous practice modalities provided such as water jets, skidding plates, aquaplaning circuits, and uphill and downhill driving. The idea is for car drivers to learn how to avoid obstacles, how to assess the effect of centrifugal forces by curves and slalom driving, and how to react appropriately when the vehicle swerves. Driver safety courses entail also a theoretical part, in which information about elements of physics and technology applied to driving, as well as about braking techniques, is passed on. The number of participants per course is mostly of 12 people.
Are there any advantages when it comes to insurance and probationary period?
Some insurance companies offer special premium fee reductions to young car drivers, if they take part in a driver safety training course. By taking part in such courses, they can obtain a more favourable classification in the no-claims bonus categories. Yet, by attending safety courses, even more experienced drivers can obtain discounts in third-party liability insurance and fully comprehensive cover insurance, according to each provider’s own conditions. Still, the probationary period for new drivers cannot be shortened by taking part on a driver safety training course. For this purpose, it is necessary to attend special further training seminars for beginner drivers, which are mostly run by driving schools.