Driving is an important skill which makes driving instructors just as important in society. While learning driving skills is essential, that’s not the end of driving education. The role of a driving instructor is much more than teaching the basics of driving to novice drivers. It also involves creating a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment. New drivers are as nervous and apprehensive about driving as they are excited to learn it. A safe learning environment can help them develop their driving skills and also cultivate the confidence required to become responsible drivers. There are many driving instructor courses that teach the instructors how to become better at teaching new drivers. These courses also have many strategies that driving instructors can use to create a safe learning environment. In this article, let us take a look at the five most important tips for creating a safe learning environment for the new drivers:
Tips for Driving Instructors
Conduct Pre-Lesson Vehicle Checks
Proper inspection of the vehicle before each driving lesson is important. Whenever you’re about to start your lesson, first do a thorough inspection of your vehicle. Check whether the tires, breaks, lights, and signals are working properly. Also check the fuel levels and refill if needed. Make sure that the seat belts work properly and the mirrors’ views are adjusted properly. A well-maintained vehicle reduces the risk of breakdowns or accidents, providing a reliable and safe environment for learning driving.
Establish Clear Communication Protocols
It’s not far-fetched to say that communication is the base of learning. Even for learning driving, clear communication between the student and the instructor is a must. It’s important that the students understand what the instructors are trying to teach and the instructors understand what the students are trying to ask them. If necessary, set up some hand signals or verbal cues to use during driving lessons. Make sure your students understand these signals and know when and how to use them. This system comes in handy when you’re teaching and don’t have the time to use large sentences to give instructions. Establishing a clear and precise communication system helps the instructors in giving accurate instructions and prevents misunderstandings that could lead to unsafe situations.
Manage Student Anxiety and Stress
Learning to drive can be a tough challenge for the new drivers. Feeling anxious or stressed when learning to drive is quite normal for many people. A driving instructor can help the students to address and manage these feelings by staying calm and patient while teaching. Driving instructor courses like TLI41222 also teach instructors different ways to help their students to manage stress and anxiety. The best thing to do is start with simple, basic tasks that are low-pressure, before moving on to more challenging driving skills. Try to create a relaxed environment to facilitate better learning for the students and reduce their chances of making panic-driven mistakes.
Handle Emergencies and Breakdowns
You may not face them everyday, or ever, but preparing for emergencies is an extremely important part of learning to drive. And in a country like Australia, there can be any type of emergency from uncertain weather to wildfires. Driving instructors in Sydney or any other state need to prepare their students for the emergencies they might face in their states and localities. Teach your student what to do in case there’s a tire blowout or the engine fails. Also teach them to keep an emergency kit in the vehicle with emergency supplies like first aid kit, flashlight, and basic tools. Make them aware of what they can do in case of climatic emergencies too. By teaching them how to handle emergencies, instructors can ensure the drivers are ready, mentally as well as physically, for unexpected hazards.
Promote a Culture of Safety
Teach your students to think of safety first and foremost when driving. Safe driving practices like keeping a safe distance, following traffic rules, and staying alert and aware of the road environment is important. Establish a safety first mindset in your students by teaching them the importance of safe driving behaviors during your lessons. Cultivating the habit of driving safely and responsibly can make them feel more confident in their driving.
Conclusion
Establishing a safe learning environment where drivers learn safer driving techniques is essential to instill confidence and a sense of responsibility in the drivers. Such an environment is also very effective for driving instruction. Driving instructors can implement the above tips in their lessons to foster a positive atmosphere and cultivate safety first attitude in drivers. Many organizations like the Academy of Road Safety offer many different driving instructor courses to help the instructors become better teachers and stay updated with the latest and most effective teaching methods. The true success of driving education is not only to teach driving but also to develop a supportive and encouraging learning environment for new drivers.
