ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS: DO DRIVERS NEED TRAINING?

This paper outlines work, currently being conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), to investigate the effectiveness of anti lock braking systems (ABS) in reducing the accident involvement of equipped vehicles, and the need for drivers of ABS-fitted vehicles to be trained or educated in the use of ABS. The paper first outlines how ABS work, the advantages of ABS and the potential and reported accident savings of ABS, as assessed by an accident questionnaire posted to 80,000 UK vehicle owners. Many researchers have speculated why the potential benefits of ABS may not have been fully realised. Considerations that need to be addressed by an ABS training intervention include: (1) skills and knowledge required by the driver; (2) what evidence relates to deficiencies in knowledge and skills; (3) what evidence relates to attempts to overcome this lack of knowledge; (4) the effectiveness of post-test driver training in general; and (5) theoretical perspectives on effective training. The paper briefly describes a qualitative study of existing ABS training in the UK, conducted as part of the TRL's current research. Although existing training addresses limitations in drivers' knowledge of ABS, it is less obvious whether a more complex course in ABS and emergency control skills should be recommended. For the covering abstract see ITRD E105257.

• Corporate Authors:

  TRL

  Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride
  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom  RG40 3GA
• Authors:
  • Smith, L R
  • GRAYSON, G B
  • BAUGHAN, C J
• Conference:
  • BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH IN ROAD SAFETY IX. PA3524/99
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 55-64

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Antilock brake systems; Aptitude; Braking; Conferences; Crash rates; Driver training; Drivers; Driving; Economic efficiency; Fatalities; Improvements; Interviewing; Research projects; Safety; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases; Efficiency
• ITRD Terms: 1612: Accident rate; 1461: Anti locking device; 1874: Braking; 8525: Conference; 9009: Decrease; 1772: Driver; 1571: Driver training; 2226: Driving aptitude; 5911: Efficiency; 1602: Fatality; 9108: Improvement; 9147: Interview; 8557: Research project; 1665: Safety; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Economics; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00794951
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 7 2000 12:00AM