Education is Key to Learning ABS

ABS Education Alliance and AAMVA are working together to ensure that ABS braking techniques are required learning for all drivers.

By Bob Miller, for the ABS Education Alliance
As published in the 1998 spring/summer issue of "Move" magazine

"If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." -- Benjamin Franklin.

It goes without saying that education pays off in the long run. However, sometimes people need to be reminded of this, especially on today's roadways.

For example, one area that drivers often overlook -- or take for granted -- is safety. Times have changed and technology has redefined the "rules of the road," meaning that drivers need to be educated on current driving techniques. It is the obligation of new drivers and experienced drivers alike to stay current on traffic laws and safety benefits their cars offer so that our roads are kept safe. But, they need help getting the proper information into their hands and heads. This is why AAMVA is so important.

Motor vehicle administrators are not only in the unique position of administering tests, but also determining what is important for drivers to know in order to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians on today's roadways. That said, AAMVA has recognized that drivers need to be educated on one of the most significant safety advances in modern automotive technology -- anti-lock brake systems (ABS).

AAMVA and the ABS Education Alliance, an organization dedicated to educating the public on the proper use of ABS, have worked together to make ABS braking techniques "required learning" for drivers across the country.

The model driver knowledge exam and driving manual that AAMVA is rolling out in 1999 will offer states the most up-to-date and comprehensive driving information available, including questions and sample language on ABS. That means that states can adopt the ABS sample language and test questions without researching the information on their own or wondering if the questions are too easy or too difficult.

Through this unique testing initiative, drivers will be able to answer important questions such as "How does ABS differ from conventional brakes?" and "What is the proper way to use four-wheel ABS in an emergency situation?"

What is ABS?
Anti-lock brake systems have been available on cars in the United States for more than a decade. That means that drivers have had the ability to maintain control of their vehicles in hard braking or an emergency stopping situation for more than 10 years.

Nonetheless, questions raised by the driving public such as "Does my car have ABS?," "How do I use ABS?" and sometimes even "What is ABS?" lead the industry to understand that drivers are not fully aware of the many aspects of ABS and need further education.

The industry recognized this public need for education on ABS and in response formed the ABS Education Alliance, which is comprised of the United State's four major anti-lock brake manufacturers -- Robert Bosch Corporation, Delphi Automotive Systems, Continental Teves and LucasVarity Automotive.

The Alliance has taken several steps -- from developing a comprehensive curriculum to presenting workshops at industry meetings -- to ensure that its safety message will reach all of its audiences. Its recent testing initiative with AAMVA will have long-lasting value. That said, drivers will be able to not only answer, "What is ABS?" but a number of other important questions on ABS for years to come.

The Road to AAMVA
The ABS Education Alliance met AAMVA in the winter of 1997 to explore opportunities with its Driver Licensing and Control (DLC) division to include questions on ABS on the model knowledge test.

This initial meeting served as a forum to discuss how both groups could work together to help educate the driving public on ABS. In fact, the Alliance underscored the importance of its curriculum for driver education instructors and how if educators in the classroom are willing to teach ABS, DMVs must take responsibility for testing it. This mutual exchange of information and ideas was just the beginning of a long-term relationship that laid the groundwork for what was to come later.

Wheels in Motion
AAMVA invited the Alliance to develop sample language on ABS and approximately 15 multiple choice test questions for AAMVA to present at the organization's August review committee meeting.

These questions test everything from the main benefit of ABS to the difference between four-wheel ABS and rear-wheel anti-lock brakes.

The review committee agreed with the Alliance's recommendation and approved the questions for adoption into the model driver knowledge exam beginning in 1999.

A few months later, the Alliance met with nearly 100 state motor vehicle administrators from across the country at AAMVA's annual DLC workshop in Lake Tahoe. The purpose was to expose states to the questions and ensure that they are comfortable with the ABS sample language and questions. The Alliance wanted to increase states' familiarity and understanding of ABS, making it easier for them to adopt the questions and language on their individual exam.

Importance of Testing on ABS
The states the Alliance met with at the fall DLC meeting were extremely receptive to the test questions. Representatives from nine states expressed interest in incorporating ABS information into their state driving manuals and licensing exams prior to 1999.

While the inclusion of the ABS test questions and language in 1999 is one of the Alliance's most significant achievements, the Alliance was informed earlier this year that AAMVA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) decided a handful of ABS questions would also be included on the 1998 exam. Clearly, the importance and urgency of ensuring that the driving public is educated on the proper use of anti-lock brakes is top of mind.

The Alliance needs the full support of DMVs, chief administrators, program directors and members of driver and vehicle services as it moves forward with this important initiative of testing on ABS. The Alliance is committed to doing whatever it can to help state license branches get information about ABS into the hands of the driving public.

The ABS Education Alliance wants to be a resource for all DMVs. Many of the Alliance's materials, from brochures to videos, are available free or at cost. In addition, the Alliance recently launched its own Web site -- www.abs-education.org. -- to help drivers and industry leaders alike access current information on ABS. The Alliance's toll-free number -- 1-800-ABS-8958 -- offers the public seasonal driving tips with ABS and how to request additional information. Working together, the Alliance and AAMVA can help ensure that the driving public is educated on ABS, making today's roadways that much safer.

Bob Miller is President of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association which administers the ABS Education Alliance. The Alliance is a coalition of four major anti-lock brake manufacturers in the United States: Robert Bosch Corporation, Delphi Automotive Systems, Continental Teves and LucasVarity Automotive. It was formed in 1995 to educate the public on the safety benefits and proper use of anti-lock brake systems.