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DIAL-A-COMMUNITY BUS NEWS
2006

Driver Training Day for Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus 25/09/06

There has been a great deal of press coverage regarding the number of collisions on the roads over recent months and rightly so. In 2005 there were 53 people killed and 257 people seriously injured on Grampian’s roads.

Based on this background, it is therefore pleasant to be able to provide a positive story of road safety and how the partnership of statutory and commercial organisations has enhanced driver training for DACB and consequently improved driving standards for a small section of the community in Aberdeenshire.

Dial-a-Community Bus co-ordinator Rachel Milne (4th from left)
and Sergeant Alan Brown (3rd from left) with the team

Since its inception in the 1990s, Dial-a-Community Bus has always worked very closely with Grampian Police. This partnership continued as the charity thrived and grew and is now an integral part of the project.

Dial-a-Community Bus co-ordinator Rachel Milne said;
“Driver and passenger safety is paramount to DACB and the training that we offer all staff and volunteers is extremely thorough. All our volunteers and staff access MiDAS, MiDAS for cars, MEEP, PATS and PATS emergency aid, as appropriate for their needs, which we provide with our own trainers.

This has been complimented since 2004, by regular training and input from Grampian Police's Road Safety Unit, secured thanks to the role held by one of our long serving volunteers. As a direct result of this training, our partnership with Grampian Police which is historically good, has been further enhanced.”

Sergeant Alan Brown has worked with Dial-a-Community Bus since 1994. Initially a volunteer driver, over the years he has moved through the management committee until his recent appointment as one of the project’s Volunteer Directors in 2005.

Alan explained further;
"I have been a volunteer with DACB for many years, work which I have always found complimentary to my job with Grampian Police. In 2004 I was appointed Sergeant in the Force's Road Safety Unit. This role has leant itself to benefit the development of both DACB and my task of improving Road Safety in the Grampian area. Being a volunteer trainer with DACB and carrying out driver training in the form of MiDAS training, I found that this sat comfortably beside my 'day job' which involves raising driver awareness, encouraging better observations and improving skills to help reduce conflict amongst road users – the very essence of MiDAS.”

“Given the way in which my voluntary work with DACB supports my current Police role, I have been fortunate to have gained the support of my line management, who have allowed me to conduct much of the driver training I do for DACB in my working day. This commitment from Grampian Police has resulted in 'support in kind' from DACB who have provided transport free of charge for some road safety events I have been involved with at work. The benefits have been positive for all of us."

It had been suggested that DACB should develop a practical training event for volunteers and staff, linking the Dial-a-Community Bus trainers, the Police Road Safety Unit and AcciDONT Driver Training, however funding such an event was an issue until recently when DACB received a welcome donation from Shell UK.

DACB wanted drivers to be given training in Minibus maneuverability, disability awareness training and both theoretical knowledge and practical training in skid identification and correction.

Rachel commented
"When this idea was recommended I was immediately sold on it. Together with Alan, and our Lead driver/MiDAS trainer, Bill Michie, we worked on putting the training together. This has resulted in what must rate amongst the most enjoyable - and certainly the most educational - training DACB drivers have undertaken."

Grampian Police introduced DACB to AcciDONT Driver Training who offered their services for the Driver Training event. AcciDONT carry out driver training in various forms across Britain, from learning to drive through to advanced driving and skid correction training.
The company assists Grampian Police Road Safety Unit in practical education of the vulnerable 17-25 year age group of drivers, who unfortunately feature highly in collision statistics in Grampian.

Alan noted
"It makes no difference which hat I am wearing – Road Safety Officer, MiDAS trainer or simply as a motorist, my view is the same; any training which can be given to improve standards of driving amongst the motoring public has to be viewed positively. Many people forget that obtaining a driving license is a privilege, not a given right. With a driving license comes responsibility and the need to take great care.
Currently the first time most drivers experience a skid is when it happens for real. Instinct takes over and brakes are applied, making a difficult situation worse. By carrying out skid identification and correction training in a controlled environment, we are giving our drivers at DACB skills which will aid them in their own lives as well as when driving for Dial-a-Community Bus.
I am very pleased that Simon Johnston from AcciDONT was willing to provide this training for us. The feedback I have had from those who were there is full of praise for the instructor, Callum Black. His patience and skill as an instructor ensured even the most apprehensive DACB drivers have gained skill and confidence. I can only thank AcciDONT and also Shell for their generous support in providing this vital Road Safety training."

Alongside the skid correction training, DACB drivers were put through the mill with both minibus maneuverability and disability awareness training.
During their MiDAS training the drivers are told to avoid reversing a minibus wherever possible and the maneuverability module reinforced the message of how difficult it can be to drive and reverse a minibus in a tight situation.

By having each driver play the part of being a wheelchair user, and being secured in a wheelchair on a moving bus, the drivers gained the perspective of a disabled person; how vulnerable they can feel at the rear of the bus and how exaggerated motion is in such a position.

Armed with this knowledge, it is hoped all DACB drivers will ensure their own skills are kept at acceptably high standards to maximise passenger safety and comfort amongst the vulnerable clients carried by the organisation.

Rachel said;
“We are not complacent enough to believe that this training alone will prevent our drivers encountering an emergency situation - we are all human after all and the unexpected can catch out every driver. However Dial-a-Community Bus believes firmly that we have a Duty of Care to our drivers and passengers and by offering this training we are trying to ensure that the drivers have the skills to cope with most eventualities.”

It is anticipated that the success of this training will prove to be the first of many such similar training inputs which can be offered to Dial-a-Community Bus staff and volunteers. Requests have already been made for it to be repeated in the future.

Dial-a-Community Bus takes pride in the level of training it provides and believes that in doing so it is playing some small part in improving driving standards in the local area.
By building and maintaining partnerships with organisations such as Grampian Police and AcciDONT, Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus can ensure that they continue to achieve and maintain a high level of driver and passenger safety for every one of their much needed Community Transport services.