About Us

FAQs

Q. Does Driver Training Work?

A. This question never gets asked of pilot training. It goes without saying that passengers would not fly if pilots were exposed to the limited training drivers get before licensing and if they were not required to undertake regular pilot refresher training and testing.

The difference is that once drivers pass their licence test they can drive. There is no obligation for further learning. It is simply left to chance that drivers will learn from experience as they drive including crash experiences for most of them. Not a good model for pilots!

Drivers need to continue their learning throughout their driving careers. Short driver training courses can be of enormous benefit as a refresher and stimulant to that learning.

It is interesting to note that if we take up some other skilful activity such as swimming, golf, playing a musical instrument or scuba diving, for example, we would not be satisfied with a one-off training course.

Does driver training work? Well that depends on the quality of the training, the credential of the trainers and most importantly the motivation of the driver.

Q. Why doesn’t the Government support driver training?

A. All governments support initial training for learners. But there is a glaring gap in government road safety strategies in that ongoing post licence training is not supported.

The crash and death rate for newly licensed drivers ought to be reason enough to do something but governments are wary about training.

One likely reason is cost. Whereas other road safety initiatives such as speed enforcement is revenue generating, training may impose a cost burden.

There are political ramifications as well. Most drivers consider themselves above average so if governments started forcing them to improve their driving by attending a course, many drivers would be resistant, even offended.

Governments face an interesting dilemma though, with their occupational health and safety legislation requiring employers to provide training particularly vehicle familiarisation training yet there is no requirement for governments in relation to the public.

Q. Why are there concerns about skills-based driver training?

A. The terms “skills-based” or “traditional” driver training have created considerable confusion and inaccurate debate within the road safety industry. Skills-based training has been loosely used to describe training that focuses solely on vehicle control skills particularly to deal with emergencies.

This type of training is used for professional drivers who may be faced with high risk driving such as ambulance, fire and police drivers.

There is a small body of research that highlights the problem of some drivers (especially young males) becoming over confident when they learn skid control techniques and they tend to have more crashes following training.

Accredited driver training providers like Murcotts have acknowledged this research and skid control training is not used in defensive driving programs.

However, the term “skills based training” is very relevant when we consider the skills of safe driving including vision (looking up ahead), hazard perception (scanning), risk assessment (interpreting) and risk management (e.g. vehicle positioning).

Perhaps the most important skill is being able to self-assess and reflect own your own driving performance. Most drivers tend to be optimistic about their ability and during defensive driver training they discover their skills are not as good as they thought.

Q. If racing car drivers are so skilled, why do they have so many crashes on our roads?

A. First of all, racing drivers are not all highly skilled. Like in any sport, those who engage usually cover the whole spectrum of capability.

Research conducted many years ago in America showed racing drivers had higher crash rates than the general public. The research was inadequate because it assumed that the skills used in motor racing are the same for general road traffic situations. Further the research assumed a level of skill on the basis that the racing drivers had a competition licence and it failed to isolate a likely characteristic of racing drivers being higher risk takers — a key factor in road crash causation.

This research is used as a manipulative argument often quoted by persons with vested interests, and indicates a wowser approach.

Motor racing has provided massive safety improvements for the general motoring public and most drivers would do well to copy the defensive skills of competent top-level racing drivers. These drivers have perfected the skills of anticipation, looking up ahead and reading the situation allowing them to change their driving to stay out of trouble.

Additionally they don’t drink and drive when racing, they are very fit and alert and they concentrate.

Q. I have a driving licence, so why would I want to do further driver training?

A. For most drivers, the training that occurred before obtaining a licence focused on passing a test in basic car control techniques and road law.

The very high crash and death rate for newly licensed drivers is evidence that this training has been inadequate. However, as driver’s experience on the road increases their crash rate usually decreases provided they survive.

Undertaking Defensive Driver training programs can help drivers to learn safe driving strategies in a planned way rather than relying on experience alone.

Q. Can better driving be achieved in one day?

A. As with any training there is a limit to what can be achieved in short courses. Improving your driving is a continuous learning process.

Our basic Defensive Driving Program has been operating since 1969 and has continually developed in response to research and changing vehicle and safety technology.

People tell us that they have learnt more in one day than they have in 20 years of driving. Murcotts offer a range of programs and refresher training should occur to ensure drivers keep up to date with the latest information. We could run courses for weeks but most drivers have neither the time nor the desire to do that.

Q. Don’t these programs give drivers, especially young drivers, too much confidence?

A. Generally all drivers are optimistic about their driving ability. This is more so with young drivers. Defensive driving can help them to gain a more realistic view of their ability and to recognise their risk taking behaviours that may lead to crashes.

Our programs address the five human elements that make up our driving profile: Behaviour, Attitude, Awareness, Motivation and Skill. We call it our BAAMS® driver profile and through practical learning exercises, drivers realise their limitations.

Q. Aren’t these programs run by motor racing drivers?

A. It is not surprising that some drivers who have an intense interest in driving in all its forms become driver trainers. Murcotts trainers have driver training qualifications and backgrounds arising from their experience in police, ambulance and military employment and have appropriate and recognised licenses for the program they are teaching.

As a minimum qualification, Murcotts trainers are required to have Certificate III in Driving Instruction and Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. Murcotts also have trainers with specialist occupational health and safety and crash investigation skills.

Q. Why do these programs run at race tracks?

A. Motor racing circuits are some of the venues used for our Defensive Driving Programs because they have the facilities we require, for instance tutorial rooms, water facilities and a road surfaces that can be divided into appropriate and safe activity areas. But Murcotts conduct defensive driving programs across Australia at a variety of venues including car parks, air strips and military parade grounds. All do the job just as well. Genuine defensive driving programs do not undertake speed work or hot laps of racing circuits.

Q. Can’t anybody set up a Driving School?

A. Yes, they can. That is why you should be particular and do your homework on which driver training program you should attend.

The driver training industry is largely unregulated but the leading providers require certain qualifications and standards.

Murcotts was established in 1969 by Jim Murcott, a journalist with an intense interest in road safety and motoring. He was a pioneer in Australian post-licence driver training. His standards were high and his legacy continues today.