Basic Driving

1. Basic Driving

2. Complacency Kills.

3. This Power Point Training module is designed to create dialogue. The intent is to ask questions. Sheriff’s offices which use this training aid should cite specific guidelines and county policy regarding Safe Driving, Motor Vehicle Operations and Pursuit Policy.

4. What are the safety precautions to be followed prior to and during driving?

5. What can law enforcement officers do to protect themselves when they are operating a vehicle?

6. Where do most law enforcement fatalities take place? • ANSWER: Straight Rural Roads with good weather conditions. • Why do you think that is?

7. What distance will your vehicle travel before it comes to a complete stop at 70 mph? • Reactionary Distance + Braking distance = Total Distance

8. What is Reactionary Distance and how much time does it consume?

9. What distance does your vehicle travel at 20, 40, 60, 70, and 100 mph? • Have you ever thought about that distance? • Formula 1.466 x your speed = feet per second • 20 mph = 29.32 feet per sec. • 40 mph = 58.64 feet per sec. • 60 mph = 87.96 feet per sec. • 70 mph = 102.62 feet per sec. • 100 mph = 146.6 feet per sec. • So every 4 seconds at 60 mph you have traveled 351.84 feet over the length of a football field. Keep 4 seconds in mind for later.

10. Why is it important to know the distance you are traveling? • It enables us to be more effective threat evaluation, stopping distance, collision avoidance, etc… • At 20 mph you are traveling 29.32 feet per second and it takes you .75 of a second to react how much distance have you covered? • 15 feet at 20 mph, the child stepped out at the front of a car and you were 1.5 car lengths away when the child stepped out are you able to stop prior to hitting the child?

11. How far in front of your vehicle do the vehicle’s low beams project on an average? • So we stated earlier that a vehicle moving 70 mph travels 102.62 feet per second. On a good day you lights project out between 150 to 200 feet, doesn’t leave much time is something bad happens. So if you are on the low end 150 feet and you are moving 102.62 feet per second there is only about 47 feet left to react in, is that enough.

12. How far in front of your vehicle do the vehicle’s high beams project on an average? • So we stated earlier that a vehicle moving 70 mph travels 102.62 feet per second. On a good day you lights project out between 150 to 200 feet, doesn’t leave much time is something bad happens. So if you are on the low end 150 feet and you are moving 102.62 feet per second there is only about 47 feet left to react in, is that enough.

13. What is the most common night time driving error? • Out-driving the headlights.

14. What are some factors that limit the ability of our headlights? • Oxidation of lens. • Type of bulb • Height of vehicle off the ground • Type of road

15. When we are driving how do we receive most of the information that we are processing? • Sight • 90%

16. How long are your eyes off the road when you are texting? (Average time) • 4.3 to 4.6 seconds • List other distractions while driving the vehicle

17. So it was previously stated a vehicle moving 70 mph travels 102.62 feet per second. If your eyes are off the road for just 4.3 seconds you have traveled 441.26 feet. That is almost 150 yards.

18. What are some factors that affect how fast the car can be driven? • Tire Condition • Road Surface • Road Condition • Tire inflation • Weather Conditions

19. What should your actions be if your vehicle goes into a skid?

20. What are some reasons your vehicle might be in a skid. • Weather – Ice, Snow, or Rain • Driving too fast • Applying too much brake • Collision Avoidance

21. If you are involved in collision avoidance where should you be looking? • Where you want the vehicle to go.

22. Where should we be steering during collision avoidance most of the time? • Where you want the vehicle to go.

23. Pursuit Policy and considerations • Does your agency have a Pursuit Policy? • Should your agency have a pursuit policy if it doesn’t? • If your agency doesn’t have a policy what do you do if someone decides to run. • Do you know when to pursue and when you are not allowed.

24. Pursuit Policy and considerations • Who can terminate a pursuit? • Do you know when to terminate? • Does your supervisor know when to terminate? • Who is more likely to terminate a pursuit?

25. Pursuit Policy and considerations • What is the primary obligation of an officer during a pursuit?

26. What are the procedures for clearing an intersection if the light is green during any type of emergency operation? • How should this be done? • What is your obligation? • What are some hazards? • Who is in more danger you or a backup unit?

27. What are the procedures for clearing an intersection if the light is red during any type of emergency operation? • How should this be done? • What is your obligation? • What are some hazards? • Who is in more danger you or a backup unit?

28. Should you be prepared to stop at every intersection? • Yes • No

29. Summary This class is designed to get you to think about what you and your vehicle are doing while on the road.