OFF-ROAD FACILITIES FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION AND NOVICE DRIVER TRAINING: A CAUTIONARY TALE

Despite the lack of scientific evidence that off-road facilities such as children's traffic schools and driver-training centres contribute to reduced road accident risk among target groups, support for off-road training and education survives in some sectors of the community. This paper reviews the Australian and international research evidence regarding the efficacy of off-road traffic schools for young children and the use of off-road driver training for novice drivers. The reasons why programs provided at such facilities contribute little to reduced road accident risk/involvement among children and novice drivers are discussed. Alternative approaches such as children's traffic clubs for young children are also considered. On-road experience building programs, such as those promoted by VicRoads and TAC, are presented as superior alternatives to off-road driver training for beginning drivers. The paper concludes that resources invested in off-road traffic schools for young children and off-road driver training for novice drivers represent a poor road safety investment and divert scarce funds and community attention away from better-based accident reduction initiatives. It is recommended that local government, community organisations and funding bodies bear this in mind when addressing road safety needs at the local or regional level. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E206098.