Study: Dads better driver instructors

File photo / Dean Purcell

Learner drivers prefer to be taught by their fathers and most underestimate how much practice is needed before going solo, according to new research carried out by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and ACC.

The study revealed that 90 per cent of respondents significantly underestimated the amount of practice needed before learner drivers took to the road on their own.

The research also showed fathers were considered better instructors, with 37 per cent saying dads are the best teachers compared to 14 per cent for mothers.

NZTA's national manager of road user behaviour, Michael Cummins, said the results highlighted the importance of structured training programmes.

"Having lessons from a professional driving instructor, supplemented by lots of supervised practice with family and experienced friends, is the best way to learn to drive," Mr Cummins said

"However, parents may not always know what they need to teach their children and the research indicates that people aren't aware of the amount of practice needed," he said.

Other findings of the research include that a fifth (21.3 per cent) of respondents said they had fallen out with their teacher when they were learning to drive.

NZTA and ACC encouraged learner drivers to go to the website Practice, a free resource which provided structured advice on how to clock up the recommended 120 hours' experience across a range of conditions.

- NZPA