Get a headstart to good driving with a simulated driving experience

Driving simulators exposes drivers to 'real-world driving' and encourages the correct mindset from the very beginning - and all within a safe environment with virtually no risk. They can also help to build the kind of confidence that enables competence behind the wheel. Drivers must have a solid enough understanding as to how a car will respond to certain circumstances and environments. Practice through repetition will stimulate the right attitudes and behaviours needed for safer driving.

What are some of the benefits of a driving simulator experience

Driving simulators offer a safe and well controlled environment in which to practice driving skills while learning how to navigate numerous driving scenarios. Driving simulators are increasingly being used for training at driving schools and fleet driving training facilities all around the world. They have been proven to be an excellent practical and educational tool for the learning of safe driving techniques, with versions for cars, trucks and even buses.

Some advantages include:

• Simulators place a driver in a life-like set up that mimics' scenarios such as traffic, weather conditions and even a road layout. This can be manipulated both in real-time and offline for teaching purposes. Scenario simulations are purpose-developed to ensure that everything "surrounding" a learner driver is responsive to their chosen behaviour in the moment. Learner or experienced drivers can practice a variety of different manoeuvres in different "physical circumstances" and under different conditions.
• Simulators can measure performance accurately - Simulators can help provide a driver with information such as accurate distance information. For example, a learner driver can learn how to judge distance between their vehicle and a stop line on a road. With such efficiency, learner drivers can better practice reading a situation and improve on the correct responses while driving.
• Simulators allow drivers to learn how to face potentially dangerous situations, without being physically at risk - Handling a variety of safety-critical tasks as a new or inexperienced driver isn't always appropriate to practice on the road without potentially causing an accident themselves. Simulators help learner drivers study how to anticipate hazards - such as how to avoid a potential collision or the risky driving of another road user. Mistakes may be made while learning, and so this is best learned off the road and safely inside a simulator, which significantly reduces their crash experience risk.
• Simulators are a fantastic teaching tool - Instructors are trained to operate these machines; and can pause, reset, or even replay a scenario to a learner driver to better explain something or provide instructions at a pace that is easier to process and practice. This is an effective way to learn from and correct mistakes that are inevitably part of the process. Using verbal instruction and visual overlays can be incredibly beneficial for the learning process.

Discovery's Driving Academy simulators are all about improving driving behaviours and road safety for all

"Vitality Drive demonstrates how simple efforts, done daily, can significantly improve safety among our clients on the country's roads," says Discovery Insure Chief Executive, Anton Ossip.

"Responsible driving behaviour starts with how we learn to drive, and as time goes on, how we continually refresh our driving ability in very specific conditions. Driving simulators at Discovery's Driving Academy are a great way to achieve this - both to sharpen skills, as well as to learn them in the first place," he adds.

Discovery's Driving Academy has three state-of-the-art driving simulators for learner drivers and experienced drivers. The simulators are designed to mimic a real car and are kitted out with all the control mechanisms you need to drive - an accelerator, brakes, clutch, gearbox, indicators and windscreen wipers.

Perks of this experience include:

• A real-life driving experience in a highly controlled environment. The Academy's driving simulators can replicate more than 240 different driving scenarios, promoting all the cognitive skills needed to be a good driver. Open to all members of the public, new drivers can book a package of 5 lessons at 60 minutes each.
• Gain confidence as a driver. These simulators encourage a healthy amount of practice, to gain the confidence needed to use roads safely.
• The opportunity to play your part in lowering new driver accident rates. When repeatedly exposed to critical hazards and practicing how to efficiently deal with them behind the wheel, accident risk in the real-life environment can be reduced by as much as a third.

"Learning good driving behaviours from the very beginning starts a habitual practice for the rest of your driving days," says Ossip. "Our course for more experienced drivers, this is a great way to shake some of the lazy or bad habits we've picked up along the way, ensuring that every drive is a safe one."

"Discovery's Driving Academy is yet another way we're channeling our ambition to create a nation of great drivers," he concludes.

You can book a course package here. Until 30 April 2022 , the Licence Prep course is on offer at a discounted rate of R500. First-time drivers can also get a 15% vehicle premium discount after passing their Licence Prep simulator course and driving licence test and then take out a Discovery Insure comprehensive vehicle insurance policy with Vitality Drive within two years.