RoSPA Driving Proficiency course at work - waste of time!
Discussion
The wife did this last week...and wasted an entire afternoon of her life!
Out of a 3.5hr course, 2.5 hours focused on speeding, speed limits, the damage that accidents over the limit caused, why speed limits should be obeyed, etc. etc. etc. Oh, and enviro-b
ks too, as if that's got anything to do with preventing accidents! Pure propaganda (her words), said it was all she could do at times to bite her tongue (failed a couple of times 
), said I'd have lost it several times.
The rest of it was also what she described as "bloody obvious" (she's done nothing more advanced than Pass Plus, but IMHO is a safe driver with decent observational skills), and said she learned more from the few things I passed on (so 2nd hand) after my observed drive with a serving Class-1 driver a month ago.
So...since when did RoSPA become the mouthpiece for Government and SCP propaganda?!? Most AD people on here seem to have a lot of time for their courses, so WTF happened here?
Out of a 3.5hr course, 2.5 hours focused on speeding, speed limits, the damage that accidents over the limit caused, why speed limits should be obeyed, etc. etc. etc. Oh, and enviro-b
ks too, as if that's got anything to do with preventing accidents! Pure propaganda (her words), said it was all she could do at times to bite her tongue (failed a couple of times ), said I'd have lost it several times.The rest of it was also what she described as "bloody obvious" (she's done nothing more advanced than Pass Plus, but IMHO is a safe driver with decent observational skills), and said she learned more from the few things I passed on (so 2nd hand) after my observed drive with a serving Class-1 driver a month ago.
So...since when did RoSPA become the mouthpiece for Government and SCP propaganda?!? Most AD people on here seem to have a lot of time for their courses, so WTF happened here?
I gave up with RoSPA and resigned. Debated about doing the test when retest time came around and decided against.
I get a regular going over from work with some one on one time on the road, and the rank and file get a two day course every three years, the second day with a class 1, three/four to a car.
We're just considering setting on a new trainer so I'll be on one of the first courses to check them out. There's usually me and somebody from Trumpton on the same course, last time we might have had a bit of fun with the trainer.
I get a regular going over from work with some one on one time on the road, and the rank and file get a two day course every three years, the second day with a class 1, three/four to a car.
We're just considering setting on a new trainer so I'll be on one of the first courses to check them out. There's usually me and somebody from Trumpton on the same course, last time we might have had a bit of fun with the trainer.
havoc said:
So...since when did RoSPA become the mouthpiece for Government and SCP propaganda?!? Most AD people on here seem to have a lot of time for their courses, so WTF happened here?
I suspect the course will have been tailored to the requirements of whoever decided it was a good idea to make employees "safer" and they may well have focussed on the cause of most of the accidents reported within the company to cram it into a couple of hours. Of course, if you lecture, chances are it will make no difference to behaviour and so it'll be a waste of time 
Fortunately the "Driving proficiency" course sounds completely at odds with the advanced course...
Was it taught by a fleet trainer?
Chris
Edited by ScoobyChris on Monday 26th April 08:47
Presumably, this course was offered to everyone as a way of getting down the company's insurance bill?
I'm not sure quite what else you'd expect then to say when they only have 3.5 hours. Speed and speed limits is a quick fix but not, as you say, a way to improve driving.
I'm not sure quite what else you'd expect then to say when they only have 3.5 hours. Speed and speed limits is a quick fix but not, as you say, a way to improve driving.
Edited by rsv gone! on Monday 26th April 09:03
Can't speak for the Rospa course, but I have to do the IAM 1 day corporate course every 3 years. Done it once - instructor was ex-fire service advanced driver trainer, great bloke - no set sylabus as such - once he knew I took an interest in my driving he tailored the day to my level of knowledge and ability and I learnt lots and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Maybe I just got lucky with the instructor.
Maybe I just got lucky with the instructor.
Seight_Returns said:
Can't speak for the Rospa course, but I have to do the IAM 1 day corporate course every 3 years. Done it once - instructor was ex-fire service advanced driver trainer, great bloke - no set sylabus as such - once he knew I took an interest in my driving he tailored the day to my level of knowledge and ability and I learnt lots and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Maybe I just got lucky with the instructor.
Sorry I couldn't resist - I didn't know they had such a thing, I know they drive about for 2 days up here and make up a few blue light jobs but I would hardly call it advanced - sorry inter service rivalry, I won't bother you again Maybe I just got lucky with the instructor.
Gary
Unfortunately this demonstrates how the fleet training industry has shot itself in the foot.
Fleet training companies, such as RoSPA, have been quick to offer cheap courses that don't deliver safer drivers.
Your wife's course is one example. Have 2-3 people share a half-day's in-car training is another common example.
There is no requirement for fleet managers themselves to even hold a driving licence. So don't expect fleet managers to know what training they are buying.
Typically, a company will use an on-line risk assessment tool to stratify drivers. Then the company will only invest in in-car training for those in the highest risk category. Of course, there is no evidence that on-line risk assessment is related to accident rates.
Moreover, there's no evidence about the minimum amount of training required to lower risk. Is a day with 2-3 people sharing a half-day's training adequate for drivers identified as high risk?
Fleet training companies, such as RoSPA, have been quick to offer cheap courses that don't deliver safer drivers.
Your wife's course is one example. Have 2-3 people share a half-day's in-car training is another common example.
There is no requirement for fleet managers themselves to even hold a driving licence. So don't expect fleet managers to know what training they are buying.
Typically, a company will use an on-line risk assessment tool to stratify drivers. Then the company will only invest in in-car training for those in the highest risk category. Of course, there is no evidence that on-line risk assessment is related to accident rates.
Moreover, there's no evidence about the minimum amount of training required to lower risk. Is a day with 2-3 people sharing a half-day's training adequate for drivers identified as high risk?
Edited by SVS on Saturday 14th August 17:58
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