In the last three decades, we have seen much research into driver behaviour and subsequent attempts to explain and understand it. There have also been some attempts to apply this research to change driver behaviour. However, where such attempts have been made, there appears little or no evidence that these learning experiences have reduced participants' risk of crashing. This paper considers some of the reasons and suggests the situation will remain the same for some time. In the meantime, what can organisations do when they have a legal and moral obligation- and sound business reasons-to provide their personnel with information and training? One such organisation is the Rural Fire Service of NSW (RFS). The education staff at RFS, together with Driver Improvement Consultancy (DIC), are collaborating to challenge the mainstream view that the time is not right to invest in learning programs to change driver behaviour. DIC and RFS have used a simple validation exercise to illuminate potential gaps in conventional approaches to driver training and guided the designer's thinking towards new opportunities. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E210298.
Abstract