The use of driving simulator for training learner drivers belonging to a high-risk group.

Immigrant drivers are considered a high-risk group in traffic, especially drivers from Middle East, and Africa are represented more than other groups in road accident statistics There are several factors why this group are at a higher risk than others. First of all, this group often consist of people with another cultural understanding of risk and road safety and a significant different driver training than the Norwegian driver culture and training. In addition, the language and terminology used in driving is different from what they are familiar with. For this reason, the group is specified in the Norwegian national transport plan (NTP) as a group where research-based measures for increasing safety are in demand. Thus, our research question was: Can driving simulator be a beneficial measure for safety for the high-risk group migration driver trainers? Method: Five interviews with driver instructors who used driving simulators to train migration driver trainers were conducted in addition to observations of teaching situations. Grounded theory was used for analysis. Results: The core category was “The simulator could increase safety training” This was based on the 2 main categories “The simulator is used like a car” and “Re-creating knowledge”. The conclusion was that simulator, in addition to real life training, could be a good tool for teaching immigrants to drive according to Norwegian standards.