I wonder how many drivers would rate their driving below 5 on a scale of 1 to 10, not many I'd bet, yet how about someone else rating your driving, would it be well received, somehow I doubt it, yet the UK Government is leaning towards GDL, despite the fact that their is no hard evidence that is comprehensive enough, to prove it is a life saver.
On the table for some time has been a political urge to monitor the driving standards of all licence holders in the UK. The first step is CPC for professional drivers and then the next group, everyone else. The latest research shows that 25 - 49 is the biggest group of people who lose their lives on the road, and that only 7% of the World's roads have seen any steps towards saving lives, yet every 40 seconds someone loses their life on the roads, so with those figures in mind would you be keen to have your driving assessed?
Political pressure has led to various groups trying to cash in on the improved driving instructor, by selling training, but do they need it? Well one would actually hope not because all those young people learning to drive who choose their lesson delivery by price alone is then putting their life in the hands of someone who might not be up to the job. However all instructors have passed the same qualification, with all professions seeking CPD, except driver training, extra qualifications may not actually make any difference, a good academic is not necessarily a good teacher. An experienced one is likely to be, because the trade of driver training sees many come and go, so will holding a piece of paper make any difference.
When you choose your driver trainer to assess your skills, when your company chooses driver trainers to assess your skills, did they choose the one with the best recommendations and highest qualifications, or did they shop on price? Have you ever asked your fleet trainer if they hold any qualifications? Would you care or are you just conforming to company requirements as opposed to a real desire to be better, or are you good enough already? Would you choose your surgeon the same way?
Are the targets unachievable, can the driving of everyone be improved so much that there are no accidents.
According to the research I am involved in the answer is no. You can reduce accidents with a multi factored approach but they have to be comprehensive enough to get everyone regardless of their background and financial situation.
