P-platers watch out for accidents

It's every mother's nightmare. Just two weeks after getting her P plates, Nadine Kean's daughter was involved in a major car accident.

It happened in the pouring rain when a car coming towards her made an unexpected turn, one that took it right across her path.

Bam!

The single mother of three from Prestons in Sydney's southwest tells how Paige now 18 was badly injured in the crash. Her knee was badly banged up, her ankle thought to be broken and her chest left bruised by the seatbelt.

The car itself was a write off.

That was eight months ago and her daughter is still getting over the psychological effects of the crash.

“It was a terrifying moment,” Nadine said.

“The police, fire and ambulance guys all gave her a lecture,” she said.

“They all told her she should learn to expect the unexpected.”

As a first-time driver Paige didn't have much confidence to start with and it made getting back behind the wheel that much harder.

There's not much chance of her being booked for speeding because she still has difficulty getting up enough speed even to keep up with the traffic.

For her 18th birthday two weeks ago Nadine offered her daughter a choice of presents; either a GPS navigation device or a defensive driving course. Paige jumped at the chance to take part in the course, which brought mother and daughter to Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway on a Wednesday morning.

In fact, Nadine had to take the day off work so she could be there to support her daughter along with the family's ageing Laser.

Paige was one of eight participants on the day, most of them females and half of them P platers.

Eastern Creek Driver Training's chief instructor James Stewart prefers to adopt an informal approach, with plenty of jokes to break the ice. Rather than laying down the law, he believes in allowing students to make up their own minds. He shows them the right and wrong way of doing things, demonstrating why one is better than the other.

Once students can see how it works, the decision is a no-brainer.

Pointing to the statistics, the instructor explains that for most people driving is the most dangerous activity they will ever undertake.

At the same time however he points to the fact that the system is targeted at getting your licence, not about learning how to drive properly.

“We take driving for granted,” he said.

“It's the most dangerous activity we do and one that we do every day, but the sad thing is most of us don't give it a second thought.”

Before 1990 in NSW anyone could get a learner's permit for a motorcycle, jump straight on a powerful bike and roar off into the distance. These days however riders must undertake extensive training before they are let loose on the road.

Stewart said the introduction of the scheme has had a major impact on reducing the two-wheel road toll, but sadly a similar system has not been introduced for cars.

Overseas the instructor said it can cost as much as $12,000 to obtain your driver's licence, with separate tests for day, night and in the snow.

During the one-day course drivers are shown how to adjust their seat and mirrors correctly, how to brake with and without ABS on wet and dry surfaces and what to do when you lose control of your car.

We asked the instructor what he would change about the present system if he was given three wishes?

Stewart replied;

Making all drivers undertake a written test on the road rules once every 10 years and building a driving culture,(as in other countries) where learning to drive is taken more seriously. Stopping people from rushing by, allowing them sufficient time to get to their destination.

(Oh, and as an after thought he'd also ban the use of mobile phones while driving a car, whether they're hands-free or not).

Driver training gift certificates priced from $240 are available in time for Christmas.

For details contact Eastern Creek Driver Training on 96721000.