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International Academy for Professional Driving employs a
unique system of driving to aid drivers to better understand the safety and
performance aspects of every vehicle's operation.
Additionally, IAPD offers extensive training and
Instructor Development courses designed to support your organization’s
in-house driver trainers.
All classroom instruction constitutes one-third of the
training. However, the real lessons are learned in a series of driving
exercises designed to make every participant, regardless of their skills and
experience, a better driver. Systematically creating a better driver for
your organization through the IAPD driver-training course will ultimately
mitigate corporate exposure from vicarious liability.
Every student will come to understand why a vehicle does
what it does in a variety of situations, and will be able to apply that
comprehension to improve vehicle control during everyday driving activities.
Classroom Instruction
Classroom participation facilitates the explanation and
further exposure to the following additional critical elements of safe
vehicle operation:
- Comfort and control behind the wheel
- Developing a smooth driving technique
- Understanding the difference between under-steer,
over-steer, and neutral-steer
- Special characteristics of front-wheel drive or
all-wheel drive
- Vehicle placement for corning techniques
- Braking techniques
- Collision avoidance and crash procedures.
All techniques and theories discussed in the classroom are
further explained, demonstrated, and proven at the track, through a series
of practical exercises. Additionally, exercises can be customized for your
organization's particular needs and vehicles. Below are examples of some
exercises used for various vehicles.
The physical aspects of low speed / high stress training.
Driving through a small 90˚ radius turn at 50 km/h or 30
mph requires the same hand and feet control as driving through a larger 90˚
radius turn at a higher speed.
The distance traveled per second measures vehicle movement
via speed. The radius required to navigate a turn is fixed regardless of
speed.
How fast the steering wheel should move is based on the
vehicle's speed in relation to the radius of a turn. This is true up to the
point of incipient skid. Once the speed of the vehicle is too great for the
radius of the turn and begins to slide, its travel will follow a greater,
unintended radius.
Our steering technique forces students to move their hands
and feet quickly, by creating turns that are smaller in all dimensions than
what is typically experienced during day-to-day driving situations. As a
result of the dimensions being smaller, the speeds can be lower. Therefore
this technique accurately simulates a larger radius turn at higher speeds.
Additionally it teaches the accuracy and efficiency necessary to properly
control a vehicle through an emergency situation.
Practical Exercises
Perception and Reaction Simulator:
This requires the driver to make split-second decisions
concerning braking, accelerating or changing lanes to avoid a perceived
risk.
Slow Hand / Shuffle Steering:
Following each student's opportunity to drive the track
course using their own steering techniques, they are introduced to Shuffle
Steering. During this time the benefits and detriments of various steering
techniques used by each student are individually discussed. They are then
instructed on the Shuffle Steering Technique, which is the most efficient
means of controlling a steering wheel on any vehicle. This efficiency
translates directly to less driver fatigue, reduced tire wear and greater
passenger comfort.
Braking Judgment and Accuracy:
Each student will make a series of brake applications in
order to experience the effect of using different pedal pressures while
stopping a vehicle. The objective is to achieve smooth, efficient
deceleration whether slowing for traffic, cornering, stopping, or avoiding a
collision situation.
Acceleration, Braking and Turning:
Students are directed to navigate around pylon groupings
to simulate quick-response situations similar to those experienced during
driving. The student negotiates this course in several evolutions, each with
changes that improve acceleration, braking and turning techniques. Depending
on the vehicle, this exercise may be timed to highlight the student’s
progress or to simulate pressure in a low-speed exercise.
Efficiency:
This exercise requires students to efficiently accelerate
from a stop, steer in both directions and then apply braking for corner
entry. The layout of cones leaves little room for error. The student is
graded and timed for this pass/fail exercise. Proper use of all skill sets
taught prior to this exercise is required for successful completion.
Backing:
Backing exercises vary depending on the vehicles operated
by the fleet and being driven by the students. Backing with or without a
spotter is graded in this pass/fail exercise. The simulated alleyway
dimensions are specific for the vehicle and can also be customized for
specific locations, forcing the student to accurately position the vehicle
if they are to complete the maneuver successfully.
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