Unit 6 - Evaluate and adjust driving
Element
6.1 Monitors and improves performance.
Performance criteria
- Driving is adjusted immediately in response to breakdown in performance.
- Driving is adjusted after errors.
- Repetition of errors is avoided.
- A safe driving benchmark is used to judge performance.
Element
6.2 Monitors and modifies behaviour.
Performance criteria
- Inappropriate exposure to risk is detected and driving adjusted.
- Behaviour inconsistent with legal driving is detected and driving adjusted.
- Driving behaviour reflects a thinking style that recognises the part the self plays in driving incidents.
- Caution is demonstrated towards risks and risky driving regardless of positive prior experiences.
- Conservative behaviour is maintained regardless of the safety features fitted to the vehicle.
Element
6.3 Monitors other road users behaviour.
Performance criteria
- When reflecting on the behaviour of other road users an examined rationale is employed.
- Observations of other drivers' errors are used to enhance driver's own ability to deal with similar events in the future.
Element
6.4 Monitors and responds to risk factors.
Performance criteria
- Increased risk in driving at night is acknowledged.
- When alcohol, or a drug that can adversely affect driving performance is present in the body, the vehicle is not driven.
- When peers are present in the vehicle safe behaviour is maintained.
- Driver fatigue is recognised and responded to.
- Effective strategies for minimising fatigue are applied.
back to top
6.1 Monitors and improves performance
6.1.1 Driving is adjusted immediately in response to a breakdown in performance.
Key issue here:
6.1.2 Driving is adjusted after errors.
Error means:
- When the driver's performance at a task does not match competent performance.
Evidence for this is when the driver can indicate that an error occurred and describe the adjustment they made in response.
6.1.3 Repetition of errors is avoided.
Error means:
- When the driver's performance at a task does not match competent performance. They must do something to prevent it happening again. The key issue is being able to improve performance through feedback and self evaluation.
The steps are:
- identify the error;
- identify the source of the error, was it lack of physical skill, not having enough available attention to perform the task, not having a mental program [cognitive schema] to perform the task or was it lack of motivation?;
- analyse the difference between what happened and what should have happened; and
- take action to avoid repeating the error.
6.1.4 A safe driving benchmark is used to judge performance.
Research suggests that drivers estimate their own performance using subjective judgements of other drivers. This creates an optimistic assessment of their own ability and promotes over confidence. A valid and reliable method of assessing and measuring this criterion may not be available at this time. However, the element may be used to guide training and education programs.
back to top
6.2 Monitors and modifies behaviour
6.2.1 Inappropriate exposure to risk is detected and driving adjusted.
Inappropriate risk-taking or risky behaviour is any
Behaviour that could result in an outcome that
would be inconsistent with the driver's safety values.
6.2.2 Behaviour inconsistent with legal driving is detected and driving adjusted.
6.2.3 Driving behaviour reflects a thinking style that recognises the part the self plays in driving incidents.
Driving incidents are events that the driver would prefer not to occur. When people explain these events in a way which recognises the part the self plays in driving incidents, we may call this thinking style a 'my mistake' view of driving. It can help drivers learn from their mistakes. This process is described by causal attribution theory, which suggests the way people attribute cause to events influences their behaviour.
Drivers can be questioned after driving incidents to reveal their thinking style. Their answers will indicate whether they have a 'My mistake' view or a, 'I had nothing to do with it' view. Explaining to drivers the benefits of a 'my mistake' view can cause them to modify their thinking style.
6.2.4 Caution is demonstrated towards risks and risky driving regardless of positive prior experiences.
Driving is a potentially dangerous activity; but experience teaches drivers that it is a particularly safe activity; crashes and even near misses, for most drivers, are extremely rare events. Theory of habituation and conditioning suggests that drivers will perceive events as less risky the more they are exposed to risk events in which they experience positive outcomes.
Safe driving practice requires drivers to cautious about risks regardless of how often they have been exposed to the risk event or similar risk events in the past.
6.2.5 Conservative behaviour is maintained regardless of the safety features fitted to the vehicle.
Safety features may include:
anti-lock brakes;
Behaviour adaptation theory suggests people may inappropriately adapt their behaviour to changes in the design of vehicles. Studies have shown that some drivers with ABS fitted to their vehicles drive faster in wet conditions and follow closer to other cars than they did before they had ABS. They adapt their behaviour to suit the vehicle rather than benefit from increased safety margins. They end up being at the same level of risk as if they are driving a vehicle without that safety feature.
back to top
6.3 Monitors other road users' behaviour
6.3.1 When reflecting on the behaviour of other road users an examined rationale is employed.
Research suggests that drivers rate their performance using subjective judgements of other drivers. This leads them to optimistically assess their own ability and promotes overconfidence. Drivers who reflect on other drivers' performance will gain value for themselves if they think through the reasons for their behaviour; consider similar weaknesses in their own behaviour; and take note of the drivers who are doing the right thing (most do).
6.3.2 Observations of other drivers' errors are used to
enhance drivers' own ability to deal with similar events in the future.
Errors, regardless of who makes them, are a source of feedback. The more constructive feedback drivers receive the more opportunities there are for them to improve.
back to top
6.4 Monitors and responds to risk factors
6.4.1 Increased risk in driving at night is acknowledged.
6.4.2 When alcohol, or a drug that can adversely affect driving performance is present in the body, the vehicle is not driven.
6.4.3 Driver fatigue is recognised and responded to.
Symptoms of driver fatigue include:
- missing a road sign;
- missing an exit;
- missing a gear;
- seeing 'mirages' ahead;
- braking too late; or
- slowing unintentionally.
Responding to fatigue includes:
- stopping as soon as practicable;
- resting; or
- sleeping.
6.4.5 Effective strategies for minimising fatigue are applied.
Effective strategies includes:
- planning trips carefully to provide adequate time for sleep, rest and food;
- talking to the family well in advance of departure time so that necessary sleep is obtained;
- being realistic about how much sleep is needed to be a safe driver and make sure it is obtained;
- starting the journey without sleep debt;
- understanding your own body clock and know when you are likely to be at your least alert, for example between 0100hrs and 0600 hrs;
- taking regular naps, 20 minutes is a good time;
- keeping the cab at a comfortable temperature, but not too warm;
- getting fresh air into the cab;
- listening to music, talk-back radio or talking books or chatting on the CB radio;
- playing mental games such as calculating distances;
- taking regular breaks (every 2 hours) to stretch, walk and check the vehicle;
- learning to recognise the signs of sleepiness and pull over as soon as possible for a short nap;
- eating sensibly and exercise regularly;
- drinking plenty of water;
- never drinking alcohol when working;
- discussing fatigue with the family so that they can provide support and understand the need to get adequate sleep; and
- seek medical advice if there are any doubts that there may be sleep pattern problems or problems with general health.
back to top
