What is Low Risk Driving - Response

In my patch, a new language item has emerged over recent years; low risk driving. Before Christmas, I posted an article attempting to explain what low risk driving is and is not. For example, low risk driving is not defensive driving re-badged, roadcraft, or advanced driving.
 
I received a timely response to the article from a person whose judgement I respect and value. This person said, that in his experience, (which I can tell you is extensive) people he has driven with have claimed that their driving is 'low risk', however demonstrably not, according to the witness of my colleague in road safety.

So, how do we explain the difference between the self-assessment of this driver, and the observations of an expert in the field?

I'll go into a little more detail to try and paint a picture. The following is taken from a presentation I made recently to a fabulous new client of DTA, Roche Diagnostics Australia.

In plain-English, low risk driving is very cautious driving. However, when we use the term Low Risk Driving, we mean something very different to most people and nearly all driving instructors. It’s important to take a minute or two to explain what we mean when we use the term Low Risk Driving. It includes:

1. A psychological model of the driving task
2. A framework for the development of education and/or training programs
3. A way of driving
4. A way each driver can give themselves feedback on performance

So, Low Risk Driving is NOT defensive driving by another name.

1. A psychological model of the driving task. The model considers driving as a psychological process with INPUTS including a person's World View, their Perceptions & Decisions, Motivations and Car Operation Skills. These inputs are factors that produce in the driver certain outputs or PRODUCTS such as Proactive Driving Behaviours and Reactive Driving Behaviours.
 
Using the model in the same way a technician uses a circuit diagram (schematic) to repair an electronic device, the user (of the model) can diagnose why a driver might or might not display appropriate (cautious) behaviours when necessary. To be effective, the user requires a detailed knowledge of the model.
 
2. A framework for the development of teaching and assessment programs. The teacher or course designer can, after careful consideration of the audience, their experience and the nature of the driving to be performed (Training Needs Analysis) choose, as in the case below, PRODUCTS (Outputs), Theme-Reactive Driving Behaviours.

Here’s an example of 3 teaching topics from the Theme, Reactive Driving Behaviours.
 
Topic 43 Braking
Topic 44 Swerving
Topic 45 Skid Management

At Driver Training Australia, our one-day Low Risk does NOT teach topics from PRODUCTS (as above), we focus on learning experiences residing in the INPUTS area of the model i.e. Motivations, Perceptions & Decisions etc.

3. Naturally, it (Low Risk Driving) is way of driving. The Framework provides strategies that enable a trainer, or a group of trainers, to objectively measure, demonstrate (model) and teach. It provides a definition of a driving risk, and a method of measuring risk taking behaviour that is independent of a driver's self-assessment of personal knowledge or skill.

4. The Framework describes ways a driver can give themselves feedback on their performance, not just their observable behaviour, but the psychological factors that might encourage risk taking behaviour like an unrealistically optimistic thinking style.

So, a Low Risk Driver is not limited to considering what they do, but also why they do it (INPUTS). They should be able to explain, for example, why they failed to check right and left when driving though an intersection with a green light. It's possible the driver may be applying an 'external explanatory style', believing drivers approaching a red light must stop. Knowing that in reality, not all drivers do stop at red lights.

Creating and assessing learning experiences that help drivers develop competence in these four areas is the aim of the Framework.

Any driving instructor who claims to be teaching and driving in a Low Risk style, must by definition, understand in detail the NSW RTAs, A Framework for Driver Education - An essential guide for the production of driver education programs and assessment systems. If they don't, then we really have no idea what they mean by low risk driving.

So, I hope this helps those who are keen to discern the difference between people who use the words, and people who know the science.

If you’d like help understanding, applying, or sharing these principles, please ask.
 
Cheers, Jeremy Williams www.drivertrainingaustralia.com.au
 
First published on Linkedin March 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-low-risk-driving-response-driver-training-australia