An experimental evaluation of the method "Commentary driving" within the Armed Forces has shown effects on the driving skills of young car drivers. The method is used to develop better observational routines. The learner driver reports continuously whatever he observes while driving. Thereby the instructor improves his understanding of the attention and visual skills of the learner, making it easier for him to influence the development of such skills. The effects were studied by observing the behaviour of male drivers in an experimental and control group, before and after instruction. The observations were carried out individually by professional judges in the front seat. The judges did not know to which group the drivers belonged. Improvements were achieved when "Commentary driving" was used in a concentrated manner, and when the instructors had practised the method not only theoretically, before they applied it on the learners. Not only the visual skills were improved, but also other types of skills such as speed control, positioning in the roadway and manoeuvering, implying general effects of the method. The effects were still maintained half a year after training. No attitude change could be observed, either positive or negative, and the results therefore support the hypothesis that "Commentary driving" could decrease the accident risk of car drivers. (A)
Abstract