How Dual Controls and Mirrors Improve Safety in Driver Education

18/09/2023

Learning to drive is a rite of passage for many teenagers and adults, one that brings with it a sense of freedom and responsibility. However, the learning process also exposes the novice driver, the instructor, and even the general public to certain risks. In driver education, the role of dual controls and mirrors is often undervalued, but these features are crucial for ensuring a safer environment for everyone involved. This article delves into how these elements play a vital role in making the educational journey as safe as possible.

What are Dual Controls?

Before diving into their benefits, it's essential to understand what dual controls are. In a driver education vehicle, dual controls refer to a system that allows both the student and the instructor to control certain aspects of the car. Typically, this consists of dual brake pedals, and in some advanced setups, dual steering wheels oreven dual accelerator pedals. This system is specially designed to give the instructor the ability to override the student's actions and regain control of the vehicle in potentially dangerous situations. Now that we've clarified what dual controls are, let's look into their advantages.

How Dual Controls Improve Safety

Implementing dual controls into your car is an important component to safely teaching others how to drive. There are many features associated with this technology that makes learning to drive a better experience for both the learner and driver:

Instant Intervention

The essence of dual controls—usually dual brake pedals—is to give the driving instructor a certain amount of control over the vehicle. In instances where a student makes an error that could result in an accident, the instructor can intervene by applying the brakes or even taking over the steering wheel. This instantaneous control allows the instructor to correct the situation immediately, reducing the likelihood of an accident.

Building Confidence

Dual controls also offer psychological benefits. Knowing that the instructor can take control if things go awry can significantly ease the anxiety of the student driver. Reduced stress enables the learner to focus better on the lessons, making the process not only safer but also more effective.

Tailoring Instructions

Not all learners progress at the same pace. Some may require more time to become comfortable with the basic operations, while others might quickly move on to complex manoeuvres like parallel parking or highway driving. A dual control car allows the instructor to assess and adapt their teaching methods according to the skill level of the student, ensuring a tailored and safer learning experience.

What are Mirrors?

In the context of driving and driver education, mirrors give drivers and instructors a view of areas outside their immediate line of sight. In most standard cars, this includes a rearview mirror and two side mirrors. However, in vehicles used for driver education, additional mirrors may be installed to improve the instructor's field of view. These mirrors, such as blind spot mirrors, can be positioned to minimise blind spots and allow the instructor to have a better understanding of the environment around the car. Understanding what mirrors are and their functionality is critical to grasping their role in safety during the learning process.

How Mirrors Improve Safety

By implementing the right system of mirrors in your instructor car, you’ll have much more visibility of hazards and other road users. By going beyond the standard set of mirrors found in a car, you have an enhanced ability to prevent accidents and other incidents while teaching others how to drive. Here are a few key features associated with these mirrors:

Full-Spectrum View

The significance of mirrors in any vehicle can't be overstated, and in a driver education car, they're doubly important. Typically, the car will be equipped with additional mirrors for the instructor. These mirrors provide a more comprehensive view of the surroundings, enabling the instructor to make real-time assessments of the traffic conditions, thereby advising the learner accordingly.

Instilling Good Habits

Proper use of mirrors is a cornerstone of safe driving. The act of regularly checking the mirrors is a good habit that driving instructors emphasise from the get-go. The setup of multiple mirrors in driver education vehicles reinforces this practice by reminding both the instructor and student to keep an eye on their environment at all times.

Addressing Blind Spots

Every vehicle has blind spots that standard mirrors can't cover. In driver education cars, additional mirrors can be adjusted to minimise these areas, significantly reducing the risk of collisions due to lack of visibility. This feature is especially useful when the student driver is learning tricky manoeuvres like lane changes or merging onto a busy highway.

The Symbiotic Relationship: Dual Controls and Mirrors

Dual controls and mirrors are two pieces of equipment that all driving instructors should invest in. It offers a wide range of benefits for both learner drivers and you as the instructor. These benefits include:

Coordinated Safety

While dual controls and mirrors serve unique purposes, their functionalities are often intertwined. For example, an instructor may notice a vehicle approaching rapidly from behind via the additional mirror and can use the dual controls to prevent a possible collision. The combination of these features provides a multi-layered safety net for both the instructor and the student.

A Learning Curve Made Safer

As the student gains experience and becomes more confident, the instructor can gradually relinquish control, letting the learner make more decisions independently. Here again, the dual controls and mirrors come into play. The instructor can use the mirrors to gauge the student's reaction to real-world scenarios while having the peace of mind that they can intervene if necessary through their dual control car.

Get the Right Kit for Modern Driver Education

While advanced technologies like simulation software and even autonomous vehicles are making headway into the driver education landscape, the importance of dual controls and mirrors remains constant. These features form the bedrock of a safe learning environment, empowering instructors to tailor their approach and offering learners the confidence they need to become competent drivers.

If you’re looking to invest in high-quality supplies as a driving instructor, check out our range of dual controls and mirrors at Grade Six Supplies. Or, if you have any questions, contact our team today and we’ll be happy to help.