The GDE-matrix has been widely acknowledged as a fruitful theoretical basis for developing driver training programs over the last decade. The matrix describes the factors associated with the driver and the driver's living environment that affect the behaviour in traffic. It provides a hierarchical perspective on driver competence and shows the implications it has for drivers' education and what kind of competences are needed to be a responsible driver.
The GDE-matrix can be used to define educational goals and contents of driver training. An efficient programme should cover as much as possible of the matrix and should avoid focusing only on the lowest levels of the matrix as traditional programmes used to do.
The driving test is a cornerstone of the driver licence systems in most countries. A valid test is one which claims to be a comprehensive assessment of the competences required for responsible driving. The test has its limitations. Whereas the practical and theoretical test go some way to assessing a learner driver's knowledge and skills in vehicle control and interacting in traffic, other competences for responsible driving, such as attitudes and motivations, are not evaluated. With these limitations in mind, some countries have introduced obligatory driver training modules or road safety education in schools, using methods like group tasks and discussions to address what cannot be tested.
The aim of the workshop is to share experiences and bring inspiration for further development in training and testing to contribute to responsible driving behaviour in road traffic.
Venue: Institut Belge pour la Sécurité Routiere (IBSR), Chaussée de Haecht 1405, B-1130 Brussels. More information on how to reach the venue from the hotel will be available shortly.
Fee: This members' only event is free of charge.
Accommodation: There are a number of blocked rooms at the Ibis Brussels Centre Ste-Catherine, Joseph Plateaustraat 2, B-1000, Brussels, for the night from 9-10 April 2014. Please book your rooms asap as 50% of these rooms will be released by 9 March. The final deadline for hotel bookings is 19 March 2014 (after this date room availability cannot be guaranteed). Cancellations are free until 9 March 2014.
Rates: 103.75€/night (117.75€ double room). The rate includes breakfast, city tax and Internet connection.
Reservations: If you want to avail of the discounted rate, please fill in the booking form and send it to H3152-re1@accor.com or by fax to +32 2 541 89 59.
Information for participants Please note that a shuttle bus will be taking all participants from the hotel until the venue of the workshop. Pick-up time at the hotel on 10 April at 8:30 am.