IF YOU think that a driving instructor’s job is just about circling the learning circuit or cruising on the roads all day long, think again.
Senior driving instructor Tan Choong Meng goes overseas once a month on average to conduct defensive driving courses at the driving schools, and at the same time, observes and learns about the traffic conditions in different countries.
Mr Tan has been with the Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) for about 15 years and his overseas exposure has augmented his technical know-how.
He has trained drivers in China and Malaysia and in September, he conducted a five-day training programme in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for some 14 students.
Recounting his overseas stints, Mr Tan says: “In 2005, I participated in an instructor safety competition in Japan. The BBDC had sponsored me for the event after I emerged as one of the winners in a safety and skill driving and riding competition amongst BBDC instructors.
“I got to drive in the Suzuki racing circuit, got a taste of their driving facility and exchanged driving tips and experiences with instructors from different countries.
“To date, that trip is my most memorable experience in my course of work.”
Imparting skills
At the BBDC, Mr Tan mainly coaches and guides the new driving instructors and occasionally teaches learner drivers and riders. Besides conducting practical lessons, he also prepares training handouts and powerpoint presentations for the theoretical part.
He says: “As a driving instructor, I also study the students’ learning ability and adjust my teaching methods accordingly. A slow learner could be hampered by limited knowledge or skills. Sometimes it may also be due to a hearing problem or a lack of interest.
“Depending on the problem, I may draw, write or let them have hands-on practice to give them a better understanding. But throughout the whole time, ensuring their safety is of the utmost importance.”
Mr Tan also conducts defensive driving courses, designed for qualified drivers whose employers send them to the school to pick up safety driving techniques.
“In a defensive driving course, the overall aim is to reduce the number of accidents to zero.
“We enhance the drivers’ risk forecast and make them better understand their own strengths, weaknesses and the vehicle’s characteristics in adverse situations with the help of the driving attitude assessment system,” he says.
The system gets drivers to navigate obstacle courses programmes and their mental and physical abilities are assessed. Other training devices include an air bag simulator machine and a riding simulator machine.
However, he is quick to point out that being a driving instructor goes beyond instructing and imparting the dos and don’ts.
He says: “A good driving instructor should make sure that his or her students practise safety while driving or riding in their daily lives. As instructors, we always have to instil a safety mindset in the students.”
Having been in his job for more than a decade, Mr Tan is among the proud recipients of the 10th-year accident-free award for instructors and a 10-year good service award at the BBDC.
“It makes my day when I see learners who pass their test offer their appreciation with a smile or a simple ‘thank you’,” he says.
“It is indeed a challenge and hence an achievement to be able to teach someone who knows nothing about driving and riding to become a skilful and responsible driver.
“This is a lifelong career for me as I really enjoy my job. I hope to conduct more overseas training in the future so that I can impart my skills and safety knowledge for safe driving to more people.”
|
