What Does our Programme Teach?

The Driving Skills Programme is a THEORY  programme which covers the following aspects of driving:

K53

We teach the standard K53 programme, including:

·         Road Sign identification

·         K53 defensive driving

·         Rules of the road

·         Road markings

·         Motor vehicle controls

·         Motor cycle controls

In addition, we cover the theory components of:

·         The pre-trip inspection

·         Using the vehicle controls

·         Vehicle manoeuvring

·         Driving the vehicle.

Our programme also includes training in the following:

AARTO, and

Low Risk Habit Formation.

AARTO

AARTO stands for: Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Fines and refers to the introduction of a points system in terms of which drviers will be awarded penalty points for traffic infractions, culminating in the suspension of your licences. 

It is undergoing pilot testing in Johannesburg and Pretoria and is scheduled to be rolled out in the rest of Gauteng during 2009.

As AATRO is still somewhat fluid, we currently provide basic information so that learner drivers understand the consequences of traffic violations.

Low Risk Habit Formation

The application of this section of our programme is in-car, but we believe it is critical that the learner driver should be repeatedly bombarded with skills and techniques that will produce a mindset directed towards safe driving and obedience to the Law. We therefore train the learner in all the theoretical knowledge he will need once he gets into the drivers seat.

Our programme covers the following:

Lesson 1

·         Getting Ready to Drive

·         Starting the Engine, orientation to the Controls

·         Moving and stopping smoothly

·         On-target, off-target.

o    Targeting involves coaching the learner to select a fixed object in the centre of the path of travel to which he drives. This ensures that when driving, the driver tracks straight towards the destination target.

Lesson 2

·         Reference point discoveries

o    Using reference points to understand the dimensions of your vehicle and its position in relation to kerbs, lanes, other vehicles and when in a turn you should commence turning the steering wheel.

·         Entering traffic and precision turns

·         Reading instruments and gauges

·         Before exiting the car

Lesson 3

·         Control of the tracking and targeting path

·         Introduction to LOS-POT Blockages

o    These refer to blockages in your Line Of Sight, and Path Of Travel.

·         Reversing instruction and Turning around

o    This includes reversing to a line, around a curve, 3-point turns and turning using a driveway/parking lot etc.

Lesson 4

·         Searching Target area to Target area

·         Recognition of LOS-POTs and Open/Closed Zones

·         Introduction to the Zone Control System

o    Our programme teaches the driver to divide the environment into zones and continually monitor what is in the surrounding zones that may constitute a hazard.

Lesson 5

·         Communication options

o    Using signals, headlights, brake lights, hooter, lane position, speed control, hand signals.

·         Approaching intersections

·         Rear Zone control

·         Stopping in Traffic

Lesson 6

·         Traffic Lights: Timing & Turning Right

·         Using the ABC’s of Zone Control

·         Lane change with precision

·         Backing between cars, perpendicular parking

Lesson 7

·         Responding to Laws, Signs, Signals & Markings

·         Approaching Curves and Hillcrests

·         Following other vehicles

·         Demonstrating mastery of zone control

Lesson 8

·         Timing side zones

·         Hill stops and starts

·         Parallel parking

Lesson 9

·         Night driving conditions

·         Being passed and passing

·         Responding to problems

Lesson 10

·         Limited access highways: Getting on and off

The following 10 habits are covered in the programme:

·         Establish driver-vehicle readiness

·         See path before putting the car in motion

·         Keep the car in balance

·         Use reference points

·         Do the Zone Control LOS-POT searching dance

·         Turn decisions into zone control actions

·         Control the intersection

·         Get rear zone control

·         Get control with a vehicle in front

·         Interact courteously with others