Skid training is dangerous

1 February 2014

The International Road Federation has published a paper which shows that training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills to regain control in emergency situations should not be included in basic driver education nor in post-test driver training programmes.

The learned skills from such training programmes erode quickly, and the noted training programmes result in more risk taking due to driver overconfidence. Basic driver education and post-test driver training should be aimed at improving the calibration skills of both learner drivers and novice drivers. Well-calibrated drivers can detect latent hazards in traffic situations, do not underestimate the likelihood that these hazards will cause adverse effects (i.e. they are aware of the risks), and do not overestimate their own skills (i.e. they are aware of their own limitations).