Driving is an extremely complex task, but as it is something we
do often it becomes routine, so we become complacent and stop fully
concentrating on it.
There are very few other things we do in our lives on a regular
basis that require such strong multi-tasking skills. And yet
the more we drive the less we think about how we’re doing it.
Good drivers are not those who have become complacent and think
they know everything about driving; they are those who appreciate
the complexities of driving and continue to refresh their driving
skills and learn new things.
Prevention is better than cure...
Since 2005, Dorset Police has seen education as a pro-active way
of dealing with driving offences and has extended its driver
training portfolio to provide a range of driver education
solutions.
Education is a vital part of the work of Dorset Police to change
driver attitudes and make the roads safer. The Force provides a
whole host of driver education, including:
The Driver Awareness Scheme
The
Driver Awareness Scheme (DAS) is a classroom-based course,
delivered by trained driving instructors and road safety
professionals.
It uses a range of interactive techniques to ensure the course
is engaging for participants.
Participants on the course are usually people who have been
detected speeding on Dorset’s roads, driven through a red light or
been stopped at the roadside for other driving offences. They
have been offered the education course as an alternative to a Fixed
Penalty Process.
As well as examining the consequences of excess and
inappropriate speed, the course also provides an opportunity for
drivers to refresh their observation and hazard perception
skills.
The DAS course is also open to anyone keen to
improve their driver education. If you’d like to come along and
benefit from the expert tuition and advice then;
Follow this link to find out more information about
the Driver Awareness Scheme >
Email - driverawareness@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Or contact the DAS admin office, on 01305
227670, to find out more and book your place.
Courses are available to attend in Bournemouth and Winfrith
(near Wool) and last for three hours.
Business driver education
Driving for work can bring additional pressures, as we try to
keep to busy schedules. Dorset Police
provides education sessions to groups of business drivers, which
have been specifically developed for people who drive for work. The
sessions cover a range of useful topics, including health and
safety legislation, vehicle dynamics and load, observation skills,
hazard perception and driver fatigue. Sessions can also be tailored
to meet an organisation’s specific needs.
Business driver courses have been delivered to local businesses
such as Magna Housing Association and Danisco Ltd and the feedback
received has been fantastic :
- “I’m more aware of many changes and common sense driving”
- “Re-enforced the hazards of driving in different vehicles”
- “Perfect for our type of driving at work”
- “Videos and graphics brought the presentation to life and added
clarity”
- “Very useful, thought provoking and informative”
- “We now have a safer workforce and increased awareness on
the road”
Photo courtesy of Magna Housing Association.
To find out how your organisation can benefit, contact us on
01202 or 01305 227670 or email business-drivers@dorset.pnn.police.uk
On–road training
There is more to driving or riding safely than just passing the
test. Further training will help develop driving or riding skills
to keep both the driver and passengers safe.
Dorset Police offer on – road sessions as an extension to the
DAS course or
Business Driver course covering:
- the ability to control the position and speed of the
vehicle safely
- road and traffic conditions ‘making progress’
- a standard of driving based on concentration, observation,
anticipation and planning
- position on the road
- the right speed with the correct gear engaged
- stopping safely in the distance that can be seen to be
clear
Email - driverawareness@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Or contact the DAS admin office, on 01305
227670, to find out more and book your place.
Dying to Drive
Statistically one in five newly qualified drivers will have
an accident in their first year of driving and drivers under the
age of 25 account for 25% of drivers killed or seriously injured on
our roads (Source: RoSPA).
The Government and pressure groups such as RoSPA
and Brake see 17 to 25 year olds as high risk, which is why Dorset
Police visits school sixth forms to provide educational courses in
partnership with Dorset Fire & Rescue Service and the
NHS Ambulance
Service.
The presentation is hard hitting and interactive, giving
students the chance to talk about experiences and how to reduce
risk.
Fact: A high proportion of young drivers will take more
risk than more experienced drivers. Like extreme sports – the
younger you are the more you feel that you are indestructible and
more likely to take.
The presentation is flexible and can be tailored to meet the
needs of the group – for example targeting younger age groups by
covering pedestrian activities such as use of mobile phones and
other technology.
Email - driverawareness@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Or contact the DAS admin office, on 01305
227670, to find out more and book your place.
Download our Dying to Drive
Booklet (1.38MB PDF) >
Dying to Ride
Dying to Ride is an interactive presentation
which has been designed to educate and inform young motorcycle
riders about how to stay safe on the roads.
The presentation is packed with information
and advice and covers subjects like the CBT process, the
responsibilities of riding on public roads, the risks that riders
potentially face on both urban and rural roads, as well as
providing helpful tips and advice about safety equipment and
accessories.
The hour-long, interactive presentation uses a
mixture of DVD and PowerPoint material.
Email - driverawareness@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Or contact the DAS admin office, on 01305
227670, to find out more and book your place.
Driving in the UK
Dorset is a beautiful, rural county visited by millions of
people every year, some of which come here to work, particularly
from Eastern Europe.
Dorset Police has been engaging with local employers to provide
Driver Training on business premises to non-English speaking
workers. The courses educate participants in the basic rules
of the road to prevent them falling foul of the law or worse,
causing a collision.
Email - driverawareness@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Or contact the DAS admin office, on 01305
227670, to find out more and book your place.
Bike Safe Dorset
Bike Safe Dorset is part of a national
educational initiative aimed at reducing the number of
motorcyclists killed or injured on our roads.
In Dorset, riders who take part in Bike Safe Dorset attend a
presentation and theory session before taking part in an on road
assessment with an expert police motorcyclist.
The course enables motorcyclists to be educated in a safe and
professional environment, encouraging the honing of skills through
further training.
For more information on Bike Safe Dorset, and to check out the
upcoming dates of the course, please
visit the Bike Safe Dorset web pages.