Young Drivers of Canada Launches New Computer-Based
Program to Help Drivers Improve the Cognitive Abilities
Needed to Drive Collision-Free
HAMILTON, ON, December 4, 2003 - Young Drivers of Canada, the largest
driver training organization in Canada, announced today the inclusion
of the DriveFit™ Program as a major component in their driver
training. DriveFit™ is a sophisticated, user-friendly, interactive
software program for use on personal computers. It adapts itself to
the user's specific strengths and weaknesses determined during the
assessment portion of the program and designs a training plan to help
the student see the road quicker, clearer, sharper and safer.
"DriveFit™ trains your brain to improve driver related
cognitive skills, which are key to driving and surviving,"
said Rick Rigby, Young Drivers of Canada, CEO. "We recognize
that there is no substitute for knowledge and behind-the-wheel experience.
However, research has shown that by training mental skills it is
possible to significantly improve a driver's ability in key areas:
judging distance and speed, concentration, avoiding distractions
and reacting more quickly to hazards," Rigby added.
Numerous studies have shown that the number of beginner drivers
involved in crashes is far greater than their percentage of the
driving population. This imbalance is attributed to two factors:
the driver's age and inexperience.
The DriveFit™ Program improves 12 essential cognitive skills
during the training stage:
1. Assessment: Accurately estimate time, speed and distance.
2. Avoiding Risk: Avoid taking unnecessary risks.
3. Changing Plans: Change or delay an action once started.
4. Confidence: Accurately assess your own abilities and performance.
5. Divided Attention: Pay attention to several factors simultaneously
while driving.
6. Focus: Determine the most important among a variety of simultaneous
visual and auditory signals.
7. Hand-eye Coordination: Process information from the eyes to the
brain and send instructions to the hands, resulting in accurate
steering responses.
8. Obeying Traffic Regulations: Compliance with traffic regulations.
9. Reaction Time: The ability to respond in time to avoid a collision.
10. Short-term Memory: Recall of relevant information related to
driving.
11. Visual Scanning: See and correctly interpret relevant information
while driving.
12. Width of Field of Vision: Spotting potential problems in all
areas of the driver's field of vision - left, centre and right.
"DriveFit™, in combination with in-vehicle lessons conducted
by a Young DriversŪ or Collisonfree! ™ instructor, will
maximize the students' driving abilities and prepare them to pass
their road test," Rigby said. Young Drivers students keep the
DriveFit™ Program CD after their instruction is completed and
can use it to keep their cognitive driving skills sharp.
-30-
Contact:
Rick Rigby
905.529.5501 ext. 227
rrigby@ford.com
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