That’s awkward! Surviving uncomfortable moments as a trainee driver
Seven months into her role as a GB Railfreight driver, Bessie Matthews talks about an awkward but critical part of her role: risk-triggered commentary.
I have been training to be one of GBRf’s drivers since January. In the seven months that have flown by, I’ve already seen a fair bit of our wonderful railway—more than I’d ever hoped to see. From the busy city lines out of Waterloo, to the branch lines through forests to get into Marchwood, there’s more than tracks, speeds, and signals of the route to take in.
Like many of us, I fear missing out when I close myself off to the amazing sights that come around my safety-critical duties. But to peel my eyes and mind away to focus on that ‘red ahead, red ahead, red ahead’ is easy enough when you realise that risk triggered commentary is a lifesaver—literally.
It can be quite daunting at first, shouting out things to yourself like ‘single yellow, red ahead’. And ‘speed reduced – 25’ when there’s another person sitting with you. Repeating instructions back sometimes had me worried that I sounded as if I was mocking what I’d been directed to do. Very quickly though, it became second nature, to the point where I find myself calling ‘red ahead’ in my car, turning the same shade when I realise what I’ve done.
I’m grateful to have been paired with a fantastic driving instructor that embraces some of my own personal risk-triggered commentary. With his extensive route card, I’ve seen and learned a lot. I’ve been able to experience things that I most likely won’t see for the first few years when I’m out on my own, but I look forward to sharing my experiences with you when I do.
Brush up on your non-technical skills
Risk-triggered commentary is a non-technical skill. Non-technical skills are all about keeping on the ball, and you can find out more about them on the RSSB website.
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