| Is Behind-The-Wheel Training Effective? |
4/11/07 |
So, what do you think? Come on! I know there are more than a few of you out there that have already participated in at least one behind-the-wheel (BTW) training program, and some of you have participated in more than one.
First, let’s take a look at some of the different types of BTW programs available. While this list does not include all types offered in the market, it does list the most common types offered to fleet drivers.
BTW on a closed course – conducted in a parking lot, racetrack or other large secured area with the fleet driver utilizing their vehicle. The program is led by professional driving instructors.
BTW on the road – conducted either one-on-one with a professional instructor in the passenger seat out on the actual road in the fleet driver’s vehicle, or with a small group of drivers in a van with a professional instructor out on the actual road with each driver getting a turn to drive and be evaluated.
Companies often ask me if I see value in BTW training and my response is always “yes, but it depends on how you manage it and how it fits into your overall program design”.
Participants in a quality BTW program quickly realize they don’t know as much about driving as they think they do. They also realize pretty quickly that they are not that skilled at handling their vehicle in an emergency situation, and most students have never actually activated their anti-lock braking system. All of this makes for a great experience and most participants leave the program feeling they learned something and have a little more confidence. Now the confidence part is where we need to pay attention.
Many of the new skills taught to participants are exactly that—new! It takes time to get used to driving with your mirrors in a new position, utilizing and trusting your peripheral vision, adjusting to new following distances and field of view techniques. When you couple this practice with someone that has a little too much confidence from their BTW program experience, you may actually see your accident rates go up.
The way to control that increase from ever happening is ensuring your program is designed with good performance measures, policies, manager follow-up and continued awareness before and after the BTW program. Drivers should clearly understand why they are taking a day away from work to attend this training and the expectations of them as part of the overall driver safety program.
I am also often asked if refresher BTW training makes sense. I believe it does, but it must be targeted. What I mean by targeted is once the driver attends their first BTW and they are taught the basics (which by the way are not basics at all - for those of you who have attended already – you know what I mean) and given time to practice, they should come back at a later date and focus on areas where they need help. In other words, target the training to specific areas where the driver is struggling. If someone has full competency in braking technique, but they can’t steer properly, it makes no sense to put them back through the same program going through braking exercises over and over again. Before sending your drivers back for refresher training, take a look at their motor vehicle violations, their accident experience and consider having them complete an online driving evaluation that can help identify where they need additional help. All of this information should be used in partnership with your BTW provider to offer a refresher program that makes sense, is realistic, and will maximize results.
The last thing you want to do is take a busy salesperson out of the field for the day and have them go through what they already went through a year or two ago. That’s a surefire way of killing the great momentum, interest and appreciation the driver will have after they leave their first BTW program.
So for those of you road warriors out there, let me hear you. What are your experiences and feelings about BTW programs?
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