A new driving course aims to cut crash rates without putting its students behind the wheel. Sharpdrive delivers short audio visual modules on a wide variety of topics via the internet, then tests participants until they get the message.
Graham Sharp - the man behind the course - has spent
25 years delivering driver training to businesses and government agencies. He says there is no silver bullet to cutting crash rates, but his early results are promising, "With insurance claims down in excess of 50 per cent."
He says corporates find their fleet record improves the moment they talk to their staff about training, "because they've made them think about it and discussed driver safety policy".
Sharp says: "We want you to think about your driving and analyse it."
He says courses like this don't replace practical training, but do introduce a safer mindset and environment by addressing issues such as fatigue or why you shouldn't carry loose items in a car.
Lumley Insurance and ANZ are already getting behind the SharpDrive course.
Sharp said it was initially aimed only at corporates and included a full reporting system but, with Mazda's help, he's bringing it to individuals. A $119 fee gives four months access to the course, a unique certificate, and an entry in the draw to win a Mazda3, provided you subscribe by August 21.
Waitakere College teacher Dave Fowler found SharpDrive valuable. "Most of it was stuff I knew but had forgotten."
He says the this type of reminder of good driving habits is valuable, "otherwise I'm just getting better at the things I do badly", and recommends the course to any age driver. He also plans to repeat it - this time with his Year 12 automotive class.
Sharp doesn't understand why so many people don't realise the value of regular driver training, when those same drivers will practise rugby or netball skills without a second thought. He hopes an easily accessible theory course - cheaper to undertake than a practical course and completed in your own time - will get more people upskilling.
After all, that 50 per cent cut in corporate crash rates could be replicated by private drivers. Jacqui Madelin
