Teaching drivers to take control of their car
Drivers can learn how to take better control of their cars to avoid emergency situations in an intensive two-hour training course at the RACQ Mobility Centre.
Despite continual advances in car safety technology, the road toll continues to rise. In 2024 there were 303 deaths on Queensland roads, the highest annual number in a decade, according to the Department of Main Roads and Transport
Managing Director of course provider Performance Driving Australia Mark Butcher said despite cars never being safer, drivers were not keeping up with their advanced safety features.
"I believe there's a disconnect between drivers and their cars today," Mr Butcher said.
“I often joke that people treat their cars like appliances – like washing machines or fridges. They don't care how these machines work or what they do; they just use them for the task.
“It's easy to forget that a car, weighing two tonnes and traveling at 100 km/h, can be incredibly dangerous if it gets out of control.”
Mr Butcher hoped the course at the RACQ Mobility Centre, Mt Cotton, would positively impact road safety.
"We're trying to shift people's mindset when driving,” Mr Butcher said.
“Most people on the road have only been taught the very basic skills. They don’t have any understanding of what to do in an emergency situation or what strategies to apply so that they don’t have an accident.”
Mr Butcher said participants often left the course impressed by how advanced and safe their vehicles were but stressed the importance of active driving.
“Everyone who does the course comes away impressed with how good their vehicles really are and how safe they are, but there is a requirement for drivers to be drivers and not steering wheel attendants,” he said.
"Many drivers mistakenly think their car will handle everything for them, which isn't always the case. Drivers need to take control of their vehicles rather than passively relying on them to do the work.
“Once you've learned the correct way to react in an emergency situation, it becomes nearly impossible to revert to bad habits."
More articles
Related topics
-
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.