Max Driver
Max Power mag launches driver training scheme
Almost 90% of young men think they are ‘good’ or ‘very good’ drivers despite the fact that almost two thirds describe their driving as ‘fast’ and a quarter admit that they are ‘aggressive’. These stark figures are released today by the RAC Foundation, from a survey of 1525 respondents conducted by Max Power magazine.
The report suggests that key safety messages are not being received by young drivers whose perception of their driving ability contrasts starkly with the actual facts.
Road casualties figures show that the Max Power survey age group (17 – 24) suffered the highest number of road deaths and serious injuries (3,144) of any age group of drivers, or other road users and was more than double the 25 – 29 driver age group (1,437).
The situation is made even worse by the death and serious injury toll among their passengers, with 2,290 17 – 24 year olds suffering fatal or serious injuries in collisions, almost four times as many as the next highest age group.
Asked to describe their driving:
- 86% rated themselves as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ drivers
- 73% considered their driving to be ‘controlled’
- 64% felt they were ‘confident’
- 54% felt they were ‘safe’
- 28% felt they were ‘considerate’
- 21% thought themselves ‘patient’
but in contrast:
- 62% described their driving as ‘fast’
- 2% described their driving as ‘slow’
- 38% described their driving as ‘risky’ or ‘exhilarating’
- 25% described their driving as ‘aggressive’
Asked what might make them a better driver, only 14% suggested reading the Highway Code. On a much more positive note however, there was widespread recognition of the potential benefits of further driver training with 75% believing that they would be safer drivers.
John Sootheran, Editor-in-Chief of Max Power said: "These crash statistics are shocking, but it is encouraging that many young drivers seem keen to improve their skills ." With that in mind, Max Power has teamed up with the Institute of Advanced Motorists to launch 'Max Driver' training.
"I’m convinced Max Driver will lower accident rates and insurance premiums among young drivers. I’ve done it. It’s brilliant, it’s fun to do and it’s taken my driving to another level." he continued.
Link: www.max-driver.com
On the other hand if it saves only one life, which it must, then they are to be encouraged.
IIRC in a survey of 16 to 25 year old males 90% of them believed themselves to be immortal.
The main problem with driver training for young drivers is, I think, the expense - a decent day out on skid pan, track and public roads, teaching car control, defensive driving, carcraft (e.g. coping with camber changes, setting up the car on its suspension to corner etc.) and escape route-planning can (and usually does) cost hundreds of pounds. Such a large chunk of money would seem like a low priority spend to drivers of modified cars, when the same sum buys ICE, wheels, exhaust etc etc. Organising group sessions to keep costs down should be a priority.
Good idea Max Power magazine.
As for the cost, the standard course is £99 - but you can get this direct from the IAM for £85 (£75 if you're under 25).
And I think describing the IAM as a money making organisation is a bit harsh for a registered charity.
docevi1 said:
Excellent idea, but is £199 not too steep? I wouldn't / won't pay that for training regardless of what it might entail - it is more than a months wage for me (and most other people in my situation).
My RideDrive course cost £235 (I think) for an 8hr session and was worth every penny!
Perhaps their parents will buy it for them??
Congratulations to Maxy P as they seem to be the inniative (sp?) that the government should be taking!
LexSport said:
As many others have said, I think it's a fantastic idea. I've always thought that the difficulty with advanced driver training was getting those that need it to even consider it. Hooking up with Max Power is a damn good way to go about it.
As for the cost, the standard course is £99 - but you can get this direct from the IAM for £85 (£75 if you're under 25).
And I think describing the IAM as a money making organisation is a bit harsh for a registered charity.
My lack of references to the Good work that the IAM do was harsh.
If an under 25 year old can get the course for £75 then someone is creaming the extra somewhere though.
I would be less cynical if they could get it for £65 quid via max power.
But then again if kids are too lazy to do the research.
It will IMPROVE their SEX life though so maybe there's a little bit extra in this version of the course ?
lanciachris said:
Is being an aggressive or confident driver a crime now then?
If you're a teenager with precious little driving experience - no it's not a crime in se, but yes - it's a bit worrying. I shudder to think what little capabilities I had in my first years of driving, and I only survived because a) I was lucky, b) I started driving a bit later so the worst spell of testosterone-induced overconfidence was already left behind.
Now I must admit I'm not the fastest learner in the world as activities that need a fair bit of eye/hand coordination go - but looking at the road craft of the average young/inexperienced driver here, I think i'ts little different for them.
There's a reason young lads run a five times higher risk to to get killed in a car accident than girls. Think about it. Being inconfident behind the wheel isn't good, being too confident for your actual skills and insight is worse still.
Realizing you're not immortal is a start.
topic said:
Road casualties figures show that the Max Power survey age group (17 – 24) suffered the highest number of road deaths and serious injuries (3,144) of any age group of drivers, or other road users and was more than double the 25 – 29 driver age group (1,437).
17 - 24 is an age gap of 8 years, 3144/8 = 393 per age
year.
25 - 29 is an age gap of 5 years, 1437/5 = 287 per age year.
which in my book is not more than double.
Cheers
Justin
lanciachris said:
Is being an aggressive or confident driver a crime now then?
No but it is often very dangerous.
In my mind:
Agressive = tailgater
Confident = vastly overjudges their driving ability.
The simple solution is to make the police class1 test the national standard with compulsary retests for the entire population.
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