Australian Driver Trainer Association 2022 Queensland Conference

Held on August 27 at the beautiful Victoria Park Function Centre in Brisbane,  We were treated to an unrivalled speaker lineup, with content full of information, education and motivation! 

• Melissa Cummins Executive Director of Legislation, Standards and Accreditation TMR kicked off the regulatory update.  Ms Cummins shared the great news (which Mark Bailey MP Minister for Transport and Main Roads had advised the ADTA the day prior) that after strong lobbying from the ADTA, that Minister  has asked TMR to review our industry accreditation fees.  A great way to kick off the event!  Melissa also talked about matters relating to Driver Trainers and their accreditation, and road safety campaigns.  Sadly Kellie Hammond, Executive Director of Operations for TMR was unwell and couldn't make the day (get well soon Kellie!), Melissa gave Kellie's update including practical driving tests, and common failure reasons.  There was a lot of talk about delays in test availability. 
  
  Securing staff in the post COVID period has been a major challenge, but extra testing officers have recently completed their training and slots are opening.  Stay tuned for more. 
  
  Thanks to Kellie for organising this video which gives some tips to members preparing their students to take the test!  Kerri Ivanov (Test bookings) and Andrew Longuet (Principal Advisor Driver Assessments) also attended as did Chantal Pedley from the Policy Unit.  Thanks for helping out with the Q & A session!

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Hayley Tancredi was next up.  Haley is a PhD Research Associate QUT Queensland University of Technology Brisbane, Australia Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety - Queensland

Haley talked about the challenges many face with learning.  By changing what we say and the way we say it, we can overcome almost any hurdle.  This means the lessons you give will stay with your clients for life, making them safer drivers.  Her slides are fascinating.  She also shared a video about awareness (above) take a look, it shows how easy it is to miss the obvious! download slides here

Sticking with research, the next session was presented by Dr Teresa Senserrick PhD Professor QUT Queensland University of Technology Brisbane, Australia Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety - Queensland

Teresa is one of the leaders road safety experts in Australia and around the world.  She shared the latest research into road safety.  Teresa then presented a study completed by Natalie Watson-Brown.  Natalie is a great friend of the Association having presented previously.  Sadly with the event being moved so many times (due to COVID) she was unavailable on our revised date.  Her study looks at the higher order skills (awareness, anticipation, hazard perceptions and avoidance) and how and where this is taught.  Although Professional Driver Trainers focused on this much more than parents when teaching a learner to drive, her research showed that we could do better.  Download slides here

After a great lunch and time to catch up with old friends (plus make some new ones), we were privileged to hear from Ian Luff (Luffy to his friends!).  Ian is a Motoring Expert twice winner of the Bathurst 24 hour endurance race), A Qualified Engineer, Driver Training Coach and Motivational Speaker.  He is also a long term member of the ADTA and is currently on the Board of Directors.

Through Ian's driving academy, Ian has introduced many drivers to racing. Ian will talk about the parallels between being a top racing car driver and building a successful driver training business.

Ian told his story which was entertaining and motivating, he also challenged the audience to keep trying new things, never to get stale.  He also shared about the value of a great mentor (for Luffy that was Peter Brock).  Take some risks, work hard and make your own luck.  Thank Luffy for inspiring us as well as entertaining.  I've included a few of Luffy's slides!

Thanks also to Ben Haythorpe for coming to Brisbane to talk about Keys2Drive.  We are as excited as you are to reach the 1 million lesson mark sometime next year!!

Overall, what a day!  A great time with great people.  Looking forward to our next adventure and seeing you there!!
Geoff ADTA General Manager