Friday, January 10, 2020

Compulsory simulator training for Singapore learner motorists

It is already a reality!!

Learner motorists in Singapore must undergo simulator training as part of the training program to obtain a driving/riding license. Lander has developed and delivered a total of 19 Smart Car and Motorcycle simulators to the three driving centers in Singapore: ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, Singapore Safety Driving Centre and Bukit Batok Driving Centre.

The compulsory simulator training, promoted by Singapore Traffic Police and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, came into reality on 16 December, after a seven-month trial of a prototype simulator in the three driving schools.

Now, all Class 2, 2A, 2B, 3 and 3A learner motorists must complete 3 driving sessions in a simulator before they are allowed to book their practical driving or riding test. The simulation system takes the motorists into various risky and unexpected scenarios in geospecific Singapore roads. These scenarios represent the top causes of road accidents, based on a study completed by Traffic Police. The learners must negotiate scenarios that cannot be trained in real-life driving: drink-driving, avoiding cyclists in blind spots, objects falling from a lorry, unexpected behaviour of the traffic, severe weather conditions… and many more.

The simulator training inculcates the learner motorists good driving habits and better prepares them for driving safely on real roads. As a result, Singapore roads will become safer, thus reducing the number of accidents and fatalities.

Congratulations to Singapore Traffic Police, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, Singapore Safety Driving Centre and Bukit Batok Driving Centre for this pioneer initiative. It will sure inspire Singapore’s neighbor countries to adopt similar initiatives.