Classroom Based Discussion: The discussion concentrates on developing a good workable, defensive attitude in drivers. This will help participants develop low risk driving behaviours. As noted
above in our experience we find that drivers
with the correct attitude detect and avoid potentially dangerous situations before they reach the stage where an accident is possible. The classroom lessons cover the following items; dependant upon your individual requests more modules can be added.
Seating Position: Most people tend to sit in their vehicle as though they are driving along some beachfront boulevard or sitting in the lounge room. Participants will be shown the correct seating position and understand that sitting correctly in the vehicle is vital to control and balance. The driver must be seated (with comfort) as close as possible to the controls of the vehicle to ensure maximum control of that vehicle. Areas covered include correct seat belt fit, correct bend in the arms and legs, correct hand position on the steering wheel and correct feet position while breaking and cornering. These factors also have a direct bearing on comfort and fatigue.
Stopping Distances: Instructors discuss stopping at speeds of 60 to 80 km/h. This session creates a high impact, thought provoking response from the course participants, as few drivers realise the distance it takes to stop while travelling at relatively low speeds.
Following Distances: How far do you follow behind the vehicle ahead? The instructors demonstrate safe following distances. Again, this session usually surprises most participants, as nine out of ten drivers are guilty of tailgating and do not understand the consequences of leaving an insufficient distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
Emergency Breaking: This is a most important skill to master. Everyone knows how to make a vehicle travel faster, but nine out of ten drivers don't know how to safely make a vehicle stop in the shortest possible distance. Drivers usually realise that they lack this skill when confronted with an emergency braking situation. In an emergency panic sets in, brakes lock up and the vehicle takes longer to stop. It may have been possible to steer around the obstacle, but when your wheels are locked you have no steering ability whatsoever. We will explain the way that ABS braking systems work to allow steering under emergency situations.
The emergency braking segment of the course allows participants to understand the braking exercises under various road conditions and speeds before actually undertaking the practical phase. Participants will be taught how to brake correctly and how to avoid an obstacle at the same time.
Lane Changing: A procedure used all the time by road users, usually with some hesitation or unlawful manoeuvring. This exercise teaches options to avoid accidents in future. It shows the driver how quickly the vehicle will respond to their reactions and, just as importantly, how the vehicle will respond to driver over-reaction.
Open Road: Selecting the correct line through a corner minimises wear and tear on the vehicle, in particular the tyres, and improves fuel economy as well as passenger comfort. Correct approach, entry and exit while cornering on the open road is taught. Exercises such as braking in a straight line and selecting the right speed/gear before entering the corner are taught, along with selecting the correct entry speed and how to accelerate gently through a corner. we also go through the observation techniques required when entering, travelling through, and exiting a road curve.
