It’s easy to dismiss our own mistakes behind the wheel. We may regularly neglect to check a blind spot when changing lanes, brake too late or drive too close to the car in front and be none the wiser. In Queensland, Australia, one driver education agency is taking a world first approach to training drivers using advanced technology from Vigil Systems.

RACQ, Queensland’s peak motoring body, has just launched its new Driver Education Program which aims to improve driving practices with the help of Vigil Systems. RACQ’s Driver Safety and Training Department recently introduced the VigilVanguard on-road training and evaluation system into their revamped program. The VigilVanguard system allows an instructor to simultaneously gather and electronically record assessment input, video, audio, speed, vehicle forces and GPS data and present the information in an interactive, user friendly software environment. This allows the instructor to provide unbiased feedback on the driver’s on-road performance.

RACQ Executive Manager Driver Safety and Training Scott Lewin said the use of VigilVanguard for driver training is a world first in our training environment and an important point of difference between RACQ’s Driver Education Program and other driver education courses. “Instead of relying on the student to remember their drive, the VigilVanguard system allows parts of the drive to be easily recalled to provide a visual aid to learning.”

According to Mr Lewin, another main advantage of the technology is that it allows the driving coach to create the best learning environment for the individual while concentrating on positive reinforcement and practical tips.

“The technology is doing most of the assessment, leading to a more relaxed coaching environment. We like to say this allows people to exhibit any bad driving habits more quickly so that the coach can assess the driver’s normal driving behaviour allowing the participant to get the most out of the course.”

The RACQ Driver Education Program is a one-day defensive driver training course for licensed drivers. The program is particularly beneficial to fleet operators wanting to reduce their staff's potential for crashes and vehicle operating costs. In the transit industry, it has been proven that bus operators who have been trained using VigilVanguard have had up to 76 per cent fewer accidents than those who have not been trained using VigilVanguard.

For more information on the RACQ Driver Safety and Training Department and the Driver Education Program visit www.racq.com/DriverEd or call 1800 680 039.