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Skaife says train kids earlier

  • By Paul Gover
  • Herald Sun
  • 18 February 2010
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    Skaife would like to see more driving education in schools and his dream is a travelling roadshow that covers all the basics.

Ace racer and road safety campaigner Mark Skaife says kids need to be trained earlier to give them a better chance of surviving on Australian roads.

Skaife is in favour of everything from a travelling school show with interactive driving simulators to go-kart racing as ways to build skills before youngsters hit the road for the first time in a car.  He is keen to see more pre-license training to prepare for kids and says there is plenty of proof that early education works.

"Driving is a life skill. It's as simple as that. It's essential and kids need all the training they can get," Skaife says.  "There is a reason why country kids are, generally speaking, better drivers. They get more experience at an early age.

"They are out on the farm driving a ute with a load of hay, or a mower, or a quad to do the chores. They understand the basic skills of driving so they have less to worry about when they get a license."  Skaife is a father of three and says he started his eldest, his son Mitch, on go-karts to teach him about driving.

"He's been on karts, well, forever. It's not just about racing, it's about learning to drive," Skaife says.  "I've been at the track and seen kids who couldn't even drive out of the pitlane. They don't understand the basics of turning the wheel to the right to get the kart to move to the right."

The Bathurst winner and V8 Supercar champion wants people to look beyond his speedy past to the life lessons he brings to driving.  "I don't car how many XBoxes or Wiis or computer games there are, because that's not driving. Driving is not a binary process and once you get on the road there are consequences," he says.

Skaife would like to see more driving education in schools and his dream is a travelling roadshow that covers all the basics.  "You could have a mock-up cabin so kids learn how to sit the right way in a car. Then a proper driving simulator, talks from experts, films on the consequences when things go wrong.  All this stuff exists. It's just a matter of pulling it all together." 

What do you think? Is Skaife on the right track, and how do we get official backing? Send in your comments below.

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 19 comments

  • I agree that early education is vital. As driving is a self-directed activity, the emphasis should be on 'appropriate behaviour' behind the wheel, and nowadays behaviour generally can be a problem for a teenagers so early ed on the consequences etc. is indeed necessary. In a typical yr12 class of school-leavers only a small percentage go on to university however there can be 90% of them obtain a license within 2 years, begging the question of why we do not have curriculum-based driver education/instruction in secondary schools. Also I might add that Mark is on the right track with ditching the parents as educators/supervisors. If they can supervise after professional lessons and under the trainer's specific practise guidlines, we could have a better start in today's climate. Certainly funding for total training including school-based programmes should be available continuously as a result of less crashes and loss of life from improved behaviour. The federal government has to first invest in order to receive the return. Keep up the work Mark.

    Glynn Morice of Malanda NQ Posted on 28 June 2010 10:45am

  • My Major concern is that more and more drivers of all ages are disregarding the road rules and the COMMON SENSE that is "supposed" to go with them. Watching people going through "STOP" signs, and turning right at "No right turn" signs is becoming common place it seems. Not to mention the idiots that drive 4X4's who don't seem to realise that they are drive what amounts to a small truck and the obstruction factor that they cause at intersections, and don't get me started on "FOG" lights when are some people going to learn that its just like driving with high beams on to oncomming traffic and the car they are following.

    Wayne of Newcastle Posted on 26 June 2010 10:17pm

  • Definitely, Mark is the only person who has actually talked about a positive way to move forward on this issue. The story from 60 minutes on 20/06/10 was great and he had some really good points of how the process can be enhanced such as better cars to ensure safety. Way to go Mark!

    Diana & Bob of Dubbo Posted on 23 June 2010 9:05pm

  • Teach children earlier when they will listen - and habituate them into driving safely. If necessary, have control groups of children and teach some and just instruct others. Then test how good they actually are. 120 hours of poor instruction or poorly supervised practice is not as good as fewer hours of good instruction and well-supervised practice. 200 hours or more of graded introduction, skills lessons and practice and then extension into all areas would be great. Then again, that's probably unpalatable to a government who cares more about cash and a few votes than actually saving lives.

    Doug of Werribee Posted on 19 June 2010 2:08pm

  • I have learned to drive in Belgium and I am amazed at the obssesion the authorities have about reprimanding 'speed'. Apart from being a great revenue raiser it is indeed useless at reducing the road toll. Better education is certainly the first step. Learning road rules, etiquette and courtesy. This will help reduce road rage and frustration as well as increase people awareness of others on the road. Better roads... well in Queensland that is not too much of an issue - the government is doing their bit there... except when it comes to match the speed limit with the quality of the road unfortunately... probably because they are busier analysing tactics to put more speed cameras on these roads. Better cars - A regular roadworthy would certainly be a good step. True that a lot of people are going to find themselves without cars if this becomes compulsory for everyone tomorrow and it could cause an economic issue... however you cannot tell me that when the driver of an unroadworthy, old and unsafe car looses control it is only the speed that is responsible! Mark Skaife, your words are music to my ears!

    Xavier of Gold Coast Posted on 13 June 2010 7:45pm

  • I agree 100% with Skaifey. Teach kids how to drive not just how to get their licence and start their training early. I used to be a driving instructor. I was under pressure to teach the kids how to get their licence... not how to drive. All I say is to save lives, teach kids how to drive - skid control, practical.

    laurence richards of gosford Posted on 13 June 2010 7:00pm

  • Great idea Skaifey, isn't about time we listened to the experts and not a government report compiled by robots? A reverse park, a hill start and a three point turn is a pathetic excuse for a license test. How many licensed drivers have never attempted an emergency stop from 100km/h? Surely your first attempt shouldn't be the one your life depends on.

    Kyle Raftery of Melbourne Posted on 24 February 2010 1:06pm

  • Couldn't agree more. Education, education, education! We spend a huge proportion of our waking hours driving and receive a FEW HOURS learning. For our academic knowledge, we receive YEARS of learning. Doesn't seem right to me and I just don't understand how our politicians, road safety bureaucrats and educators don't get it. It should be a compulsory part of the school curriculum.

    Richard P of Perth Posted on 24 February 2010 11:06am

  • Spot on Skaifey. Learn the rules of the road as a pedestrian in primary school. Teach them as they get older about about being a cyclist and sharing the road with cars, trucks and buses. Teach them about stopping distances and why you don't chop lanes in front of heavy vehicles. It might even help stop road rage. By the time they get to high school they are able to make reasoned decisions instead of "I wonder what happens when I do this?"

    Mick Hogan of Wentworth Falls 2782 Posted on 23 February 2010 6:12pm

  • Skill is important but it's only half of the requirement for driving/riding on public roads, the other equally important requirement is attitude. This covers things like taking risks, urge to increase skill, psychology, road rage etc.

    Tony Wells of Sydney Posted on 23 February 2010 2:43pm

  • Bingo Skaify, spot on. I went through driver education when I was at school in Warrnambool. All the local schools got together and developed a small course over different surfaces, on some unused land next to one of the Govt schools. A Gemini(now I'm showing my age) was supplied by one of the local car dealers, and we did driver ed 3 at a time, with a teacher who had passed a certified course, once a week for the last two years I was at school. That was the (very) early 80's. Since that time, I've had one speeding ticket and am now employed as a professional driver. This is exactly what kids need. It just needs the Federal and State Govt's to get together, and we should also try to get the(local) vehicle manufacturers involved. They could put signage on the car, saying words to the effect "Driver Ed, proudly supported by ??????". The idea can then be sold to them as goodwill PR and free advertising. It's a win-win for all.

    Peter of Point Cook. Posted on 23 February 2010 2:38pm

  • It looks as though you're going to have to put your Roadshow 'on the road' by yourself, Mark before Oz Federal Govt Bureaucracy & sundry Pollies accept your vision, and gives you the support which your vision undoubtedly requires. If you could attract the attention of Kevin Rudd and interview-him-on-camera, and play 'that interview' on TV - say at 7.30pm during the week, funding and resources should follow. It's a great idea, Mark. I learned to drive a Ferguson tractor plus an EH Holden ute on the farm yonks before attaining my driver's lic, and it helped me to survive a 'nasty accident' when out on the street 18 years ago. Mind you, no amount of Driver Education would've stopped an idiot reversing onto the street without firstly stopping at the gutter and 'cleaned me up'.

    Evan williams of Sunshine Coast, Qld Posted on 23 February 2010 1:46pm

  • I couldn't agree more, although I will say the government are listening and being proactive. I'm the director of a Melbourne based simulation company Machine Simulations which as well as developing a karting simulation, we are currently testing our road safety simulator for a pilot program to be run in March in 2 regional schools with 17-18 year old students. We recently secured government funding for the pilot program, which will teach the students skills that aren't taught by parents and instructors either due to lack of knowledge on the parents' behalf or the skill is just too dangerous to teach on a public road. One of the main benefits of using a simulator is we are able to put someone in any car in a dangerous situation, for example on the gravel shoulder of a road at 100km/h and teach them how to regain control of the vehicle without the risk of injury or death. Another example is having a child run out in front of a car, to reinforce the reason behind having 40km/h school zones. To give you an idea of the accuracy of the simulator, RenaultF1 are quite interested in using it to train their drivers. I'd love to talk more about this with you Mark if you're reading this

    Zach Griffin of Melbourne Posted on 23 February 2010 12:41pm

  • Skaifey and Bob Watson are right with what they say, problem is we need people like them to push it along. They have the profile and the contacts. C'mon Skaifey it's up to you and I'm sure you;ll get plenty of support from the rest of us.

    Wayne Sands Posted on 22 February 2010 5:51pm

  • Hi Mark, i couldn`t believe it when i read your article in the paper. You are right on the mark,all kids should learn early.I taught my children to drive a vehicle when they were around 3 yrs old,i bought my first child her own little bomb to bash around the paddock when she was 4 yrs old,and was changing gears,she past her driving test with flying colours,and being a nervous passenger,i was and still am not nervous in a car while my children drove,yes this is an early age to learn, but it has paid off, my 2nd and 3rd are the same, they can drive a 4 tonne truck, even towing a horse float,and my 15yr old son,can handle a car better than anyone i know,must say he enjoyed flogging his car around a paddock,and making a perfect round arena, for his sister to work her horses. Teaching my children to drive as early as that, is the best thing i could have done, and i recomend every parent to do the same, if they are able to.The government should make it available to all kids to learn,at no cost so everyone can have the chance.It isn`t a hard task to ask for.I hope you can get them to realize it is the best thing.But if there isn`t money to be made,the government won`t do it. GOOD LUCK

    Susan of Wynham vale Victoria Posted on 22 February 2010 2:31am

  • I think that he is definitely on the right track! I recently went to a defensive driving course and it really opened up my eyes to a lot of things on the road which are simply not things that are taught when L platers are in preparation for their test which is solely judged on the ability to drive a car. I see no reason why the government doesn't make this course mandatory for all young drivers. If this was done, it would dramatically decrease the road toll. All they are doing now is making money on speeding fines which, compared to dangerous/unsafe road behaviours, is not as much of a killer.

    Raffaele Lagatta of Wantirna South, Melbourne Posted on 20 February 2010 12:40pm

  • To Wayne and Skaifey, hear hear! If only the Government realized how much money it would save if less people were hurt or killed on the roads, then something might happen. The best we can hope for in the meantime is to get this idea out to as many parents as possible, so they can have their kids as skilled up as they can before hitting the road.

    Buddha of Brisbane Posted on 19 February 2010 12:21pm

  • It costs money so it wont happen. Better to send them out ill equipped and then get them with speed cameras that make money. Very simple equation. If he can come up with something that is cost neutral or cost positive, then the government will look at it. Until then Skaife, you are wasting your time.

    DM Posted on 19 February 2010 10:47am

  • It is about time that the Government listened to people like Mark Skaife, young people should be taught basics earlier. But alas the government in Australia are blinded by the mighty dollar that speed cameras bring in and continually ram speed cameras down our throats thinly disguised as road safety.. Governments should forget about making money and worry about saving lives..

    Wayne of sydney Posted on 19 February 2010 6:00am
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