The link between the practical driving test and road safety

“The link between the practical driving test and road safety” was the title of a CIECA (the International Commission for Driver Tastings) Expert Advisory Group (EAG) workshop on 18 June 2015 at the Headquarters of DGT in Madrid, Spain.

The morning session was composed of a number of very interesting preentatuions about testing around Europe.

• The way the test in done in Germany to support road safety Marcellus Kaup, EAG member (Germany)
• The link between the practical driving test and road safety Lesley Young, EAG member (GB)
• Developments in the driving test area: What has been a success and what has not, Per Olof Nilsson, EAG member (Sweden)
• The way the test in done in Norway to support road safety Per Gunnar Veltun, EAG Chairman (Norway)
• Mechanisms by which the practical driving test can impact on later road safety: theory and evidence, Shaun Helman, TRL (GB)
• The optimized practical driving licence test In Germany – an important contribution to road safety, Bernd Weisse TÜV | DEKRA arge tp 21 (Germany)

After lunch there were a number of discussion groups which then reported back to the main group.

This was a very interesting day with some thought provoking points and discussions. There was a bit of a debate about the value of feedback at the end of the driving test partly instigated by me. As one of those who campaigned for the examiners marking sheet to be available to candidates and was surprised when it was decided to give the candidate the sheet plus an oral explanation back in 1990 I find this fascinating.

I guess it is a natural inclination for someone who has failed to want to know what went wrong. Equally the examiner is keen to pass on to the person who has not reached the required standard details of the mistakes made. However, it seems to me that in some countries this feedback is considered to be vitally important whereas research shows that it is very rare for a person to fail again for making the same mistake. The explanation is, in my opinion, just a “psychological bandage” not really of any practical use as when a person fails it is usually an indication they were not good enough. For those candidates that are very good drivers who make a silly error, knowing about it won’t make them better because what they did was just a daft mistake.

Also discussed was the definition of independent driving? A favourite subject all over Europe at the moment. Some love gps satellite navigation devices others are not so keen. Most agree that the use of sat nav should be taught to all new drivers. The general consensus seems to be that following direction signs is ideal but in very few locations is it possible. In a country like GB where what is taught is mostly determined by what is tested I think using sat nav on test is vital to ensure all new drivers learn about it.

On the basis that everyday should be a learning day I pass on some information I was unaware of. In Portugal there are two candidates in the car on every test and as I understand it the examiner directs candidate one to an approved point and the candidates then change over and candidate two is directed back to the test centre. Why! I hear you cry, I don’t know I did not get a chance to pursue the matter but on reflection I think it is an idea well worth considering. One of the problems often discussed in GB is the inability to get candidates on to urban roads or into towns because of the lack of time. Two candidates in the car would mean that test routes could be twice as long thus perhaps enabling a wider area to be covered.