Recognising Errors:
Step 1 - Introduction
Errors versus 'faults'
The DVSA, along with many training organisations, refer to the mistakes that learners/drivers make as 'faults'.
The word 'fault' is perhaps a reasonable description for the mistakes that drivers make while being tested, but testing and training are very different activities. Your future clients are not 'faulty'! Mistakes are an essential part of learning.
Some people might feel that we are being a bit picky about terminology here - however, the language that you use when discussing a learners driving behaviour and progress can have a major impact on motivation. Consider this for yourself, would you prefer your trainer to tell you about your faults or about the mistakes that you make?
The way that you think about mistakes will affect the way that you deal with them. The word 'fault' can infer blame. Learners are not to blame for their mistakes even though they might be responsible. Inferring blame (even unconsciously) can, and often does, affect motivation and progress. With all of this in mind we suggest that the word 'fault' is reserved for mock-tests.
In this unit we look are some of the root causes of mistakes - the things that can lead to many other issues. By recognising these root causes you can save hours of training time and frustration because you will be fixing the cause of the mistakes, not the symptoms.
Next: Errors caused by 'short observation'...