Back From Overseas

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31154, 2 September 1966, Page 9

Back From Overseas

r pHE chief examiner for the association which is being formed to improve driving standards, Mr R. A. Gibbons,

of Wellington, has returned to New Zealand after a threemonth tour abroad studying advanced driving schemes in Britain, Australia, Canada, and the United States. The intention is to establish in New Zealand a nonprofit organisation, probably called the Association for Improved Driving Standards (A.1.D.5.), which will act as a testing and certifying authority. The scheme has been put forward by the Motorsport Association, formerly the Association of New Zealand Car Clubs, with the co-operation of New Zealand Automobile Association and Shell Oil (N.Z.), Ltd., which will provide the basic administration of the scheme and underwrite the estimated costs for the first five years. In Britain, Mr Gibbons completed a British Motor Corporation driving course conducted by former police drivers, and investigated similar courses in other countries. He said British drivers were far

more courteous than New Zea- ■ land drivers, and advanced driving courses had much to 1 do with this. With Mr Gibbons’s help, the . : bodies concerned are now ■ planning what will be the best

type of advanced driving scheme for New Zealand, and the establishment of the scheme in the four main

centres. The scheme will be designed so that those who wish to improve their driving ability can undergo tests conducted by qualified examiners, who will be drawn from car club members trained for their task. The organisers of the scheme will appeal particularly to younger persons to take part in the course, but all drivers will be encouraged to participate. A series of four tests will be established, ranging from the simple to the very difficult, including written as well as on-the-road examinations. Tests will not be of the pass-or-fail type, but candidates will be able to go on to the next test when they reach a certain level in the preceding one. Diplomas and badges will be issued. There will be a fee for each test, and the course probably will comprise a basic test, an advanced driving test, a roadcraft examination, and finally a long-distance road test of about 250 miles.