The idea of a 2-phase training program originated at the end of the 1980s when it became clear that road accidents were the most common cause of death for 16 to 25 year olds. In response to the high accident rate amongst young novice drivers, the need was recognized to influence this group on an educational and psychological level. The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention developed the idea of a 2-phase training system which was well received by police directors, federal authorities and other organizations in the road safety field. The new model was developed through a wide-scale consultation process, approved by Parliament and entered into law by the Swiss government on December 1, 2005.                      

The 1st Phase
The initial phase of driver training consists of an average of 20-30 hours of driving with a driving school and an obligatory series of 8 theoretical lessons. The vast majority of learner drivers take lessons with authorized instructors. In addition, many youngsters also take the opportunity to practice privately (accompanied practice). The driving test consists of a multiple choice test on the highway code and a 45 minute practical driving test. With the introduction of a 2nd phase of training, the road safety education of novice drivers continues after the test. In the context of 2 full training days, the drivers are supposed to reflect on their driving experiences so far and have their own driving behavior assessed.

The 2nd phase
The first course day should take place within 6 months of passing the test; the second day at the latest within 3 years of the test. The following content is prescribed by law:

1st course day: The aim of the first day is for the novice drivers to learn how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations before they arise. This occurs through a number of driving experiences in a special area, such as estimating stopping distances, judging speeds correctly on corners, correct safety mar-gins. In addition, groups of up to 12 novice drivers undergo a discussion session on the effects of psychoactive substances.

2nd course day: On the second day the novice drivers are supposed to sharpen their awareness of their own driving ability, improve their traffic sense and build on environ-mentally friendly and social driving techniques. Each participant fills out a questionnaire on their ‘driver profile’. Then they go out in threes with a trainer for what is known as a ‘feedback drive’ (see inset graphic) .

The aim of this exercise is for the participants to assess each other based on a checklist of items. Once the drive has come to an end, they then discuss their impressions. During a second drive the main focus is on environmentally-friendly and energy-saving driving. At the end of the day the whole group meets to discuss their impressions of the driving exercises and their individual driver profiles. This fits in with the overall aim of the 2nd phase which is to activate the novice driver’s self reflection.

Open market implementation
The 2-phase program is carried out on the open market. Course organizers offer the 2nd phase program. The trainers, who generally tend to be driving instructors and road safety teachers, are required to undergo a mandatory 19-day training course. The most difficult task for them is to ensure that the content of the 2nd phase is covered jointly with the novice drivers. The sessions therefore require coaching (in groups), which does not come easily to driving instructors who are used to teaching individuals and to class-room style lecturing.

Quality control
Supervision of the 2-phase program is the responsibility of each canton and the asa3 (= the Swiss member of CIECA). With a view to ensuring uniform quality control across the whole of the country, the asa has entrusted this task to the Swiss Road Safety Council4 which has already had experiences over a number of years with regard to voluntary driver training courses. This works especially involves quality control of the implementation of the courses, the socio-pedagogical suitability test for applicant 2nd phase trainers and assessing and supervising the course organizers and training institutions.

Initial impressions
There are about 70 thousand novice drivers each year in Switzerland. About 1000 2nd phase training days per month, or 50 a day are required to cope with this number of drivers. As some courses can be held in parallel at the same location, about 40 course organizers are needed and between 600 and 900 trainers. Less than a year after the implementation of the new law, there are around 20 such course organizers now on the market. About 300 trainers have completed the necessary training. These new structures have been able to slowly adjust to the influx of course participants, as above average numbers of this year’s novice drivers are not required to undergo the 2nd phase because they started their training last year (before the new rules were introduced). In the meantime, the market is functioning with all its side-effects. In densely populated Switzerland, it is not easy to build enough training locations. In addition, high safety standards must be met, which makes the course organizers’ job more difficult. About 150 2nd phase training days have already taken place. These developments are being watched closely from a quality control point of view. Practical experience shows that the courses are being well accepted, despite the cost of around 300 CHF (~190 EUR) for 2nd phase participants. There is still some work to do with specific training units, especially with the track-based driving experiences.

Written By Franz Nefz