Thursday, March 15, 2012

Skid training-- don't slide into this

In response to many people who ask about skid training-- we found a GREAT article that shows why we at All Seasons DO NOT endorse nor use the skid monster or other "skid training" devices

In the U.S. there are some driving schools that have added a “skid car” component to their driving lessons. The goal of skid car training is to increase the car control skills of the operator, which in theory should create a safer drive (i.e., one that has a reduced likelihood of a crash). However, rather than actually improving novice driver safety, research shows that skid car training can actually decrease the safety of a novice driver. Three references (and with a little scouting around, there are several others) to appropriate studies are provided as the end of this article that are used as a basis for these conclusions.

At first blush, this seems counter intuitive – how can something designed to increase your car control skills actually have a detrimental effect? Well, the prevailing theory is that skid car training results in an over-confidence in novice drivers thus putting them into a mindset to take greater risks than optimal. The real dangers to novice drivers are not in car control, per se, but not being able to manage risk properly. Risk management can be taught in car clinics, but in a very controlled, repeatable manner which includes dealing with distractions, recognizing hazardous conditions, and reacting appropriately.

There are several problems with skid car training as follows:

1) Fun vs training. There is no question a session in a skid car is fun and for an experienced driver will probably not be detrimental. However, for a novice it becomes a fun exercise at a time when the focus should be on learning how to drive a car properly. Any time a novice gets behind the wheel, it should be taken as a serious endeavor and the focus should be on learning how to manage their environment.

2) Not in your own vehicle. A key component is getting novice drivers comfortable in their own vehicles. In car clinics, drivers are able to supplement their driving lessons with experience in the vehicle they will be driving after licensure.

3) Not controlled and deliberate. While skid cars are fun, the ability to build skills in a controlled, progressive environment is key. Students should be able to run the same “drill” repeatedly, thus creating a “driving program” that supplements their drivers education. Another key problem with skid cars is that it is quite difficult to produce a set of “training drills” that can be practiced repeatedly.

4) Not research focused. There is a body of research that points out items such as hazard perception and distraction management are the true issues that trip-up novice drivers. In order to have a positive impact, supplemental training should focus on these areas. Car control should be an implicit part of the training and not the central point, which is why skid cars can be detrimental.

The following excerpt from a study done in Norway was particularly troubling for skid car use in training:

“. . . the effects of skid training have been disappointing: the number of crashes on slippery roads has increased among young men (18-24 years) (1) in Norway when skid training was adopted as a part of driver training.”

And the study continues with:

Katila et al. (1) discussed this failure of these skid courses in these countries. They found that the increase in drivers’ confidence in their own skills in driving on slippery road conditions. Maneuvering skills give the young driver a feeling that he or she is capable of controlling the car and thereby get satisfaction from successful operations. The more difficult the operations, the greater the satisfaction is. Rewarding use of maneuvering skills probably leads to a generalization of maneuvering operations from exercises in emergency conditions to ordinary driving on slippery roads. Because of their increased confidence, drivers do not avoid difficult driving conditions or they can even take on more demanding driving tasks by driving at a higher speed”

An excerpt from information on a program in Australia (2) with addresses the goals of advanced driver training without the shortcomings of skid car training:

“The course is taught over one day via a combination of theoretical discussion in a classroom and practical experience undertaken in participants’ own cars.Practical exercises are conducted at low speeds under the supervision of expert trainers...”


The bottom line is that training novice drivers is tricky business and sometimes counter-intuitive. When looking into driving schools for your teen, ask pointed questions about the research behind their program. And in the case of skid cars, be very wary of any driving school that uses skid cars as they probably have paid very little attention to the true effects of their program.
References:

1 - Katila, A., Keskinen, E., and Hatakka, M. Conflicting Goals of Skid Training, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Volume 28, 1996, Pages 785-789

2- http://www.aami.com.au/Resources/pdf/aami-fact-sheets/AAMI-Facts_Skilled...

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