YOUNG DRIVERS RIGHT ON TRACK
We experience first-hand that practical Level One training is a must for any new licence-holder
In New Zealand, getting a licence as a young driver is a reasonably quick process compared with other countries: you can be fully licensed a yearand-a-half after first getting your learner’s. With a Defensive Driving Course taking six months out of the process, a 17-and-a-half yearold could potentially be fully licensed and out on their own.
The course does provide helpful information. But out of the five sessions, only one is completed behind the wheel.
That’s where Downforce’s Young Driver Programme comes in. It’s undertaken away from public roads at the Hampton Downs circuit, and teaches young drivers safety skills behind the wheel rather than in a classroom.
Last month, I experienced the Level One programme first-hand.
The course begins with a quick driver briefing in a function room, but before you know it, you’re down with the cars again, talking optimum seating position. And after a basic check of the vehicle’s vitals (oil, tyre pressures) we hit the tarmac.
The course is broken down into four activities that work on key areas: emergency braking, following distances, reversing, and distracted driving. A slalom course, offset following distances, ABS braking, and a cone-filled obstacle course are used.
I start with the slalom, in which drivers are taught to direct attention further than the upcoming turn, and attempt to stay as smooth as possible through corners while keeping up a reasonable amount of speed. A wok with a tennis ball inside is secured on the car’s bonnet, which provides a visual indication of how hard drivers are taking the turns.
Next up was the followingdistance activity — although the two cars are placed in parallel lanes to avoid disaster. Lack of following distance is one of the most obvious and easily fixed mistakes we make on NZ roads, so this activity is designed to mimic what would happen when traffic comes to a halt.
Unsurprisingly, both reaction times and braking ability are drastically reduced when an adequate distance isn’t observed, leading to the chase car moving well past the point of impact.
The second half of the course consists of an ABS activity, while the distracted driving obstacle course highlights the issues of phone use while driving.
Although I’ve been behind the wheel for about six years, I found this course extremely helpful. For young drivers still learning the ins and outs, I can’t recommend this enough as it starts building safe habits early.Scan the QR code above to watch our video.