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A test track study showed that when drivers could choose their speed, they travelled slightly faster after practicing with ABS on wet surfaces. Some form of education is needed for drivers if the benefits of vehicle safety innovations are to be realised.

During our practical in-car exercises drivers learn that their ABS vehicle does not stop in less distance than a non-ABS vehicle. Many are shocked by the pedal pulsations and lift their foot thus reducing braking effectiveness. By experiencing the situation in training their awareness and attitudes change resulting in behaviour that includes slower speeds and increased following gap.

Through this type of experiential driver training i.e. learning through practical experience, drivers are more likely to change their on-road behaviour. This will be enhanced with follow-up reinforcement provided by employers through safety sessions, family conversations, constructive media campaigns and refresher learning opportunities. But the training needs to happen first or there is nothing to reinforce.

Often driving training is based on the notion that if we can change a person's attitude then their behaviour will change. But the training may be attempting to confront attitudes that have been developed as a result of years of experience and confirmed through rewards and associations with other influential people, especially parents. To achieve a culture of road safety we need to focus on behaviour change in preference to attitude change. Why? Because objective, observable behaviour, ie the application of new knowledge, awareness and practical skills can be accomplished as a result of learning whereas changing attitudes is not easy to assess and may not ultimately affect driving behaviour on the road. However, changing driving behaviour through repetitions in practice as part of the learning process and subsequent reinforcement, may lead to changed attitudes.