Course Overview
This award winning internationally recognized Thinking Driver defensive driving program features Thinking Driver, proprietary 5 Fundamentals of Defensive Driving: Think and Look Ahead, Anticipate Hazards, Keep Your Options Open, Manage the Risk and Control With Finesse. These core defensive driving concepts developed and fine tuned to a clear focused driver safety system by Thinking Driver founder and internationally recognized driver training expert Spencer McDonald form the foundation skill sets required to drive incident free for a lifetime. Using this program has resulted in up to 90% reductions in incident rates*
The media rich course engages learners through a variety of interactive on-screen activities including quizzes, click to discover facts, video, audio commentary and much more. This is the premier defensive driving eLearning program and is all new for 2020 with updated content to include information on avoiding Distracted Driving, Impaired Driving including Cannabis, Driver Fatigue, updated video and much more! The user interface is intuitive and easy to use. Employees love this course because unlike so many others, it, interesting, entertaining and informative while holding their attention.
Developed in consultation with law enforcement, occupational health and safety professionals eLearning specialists and world class driver trainers, this is your first choice for an employee defensive driving course. *Source: Technical Safety BC (90% reduction in at-fault accidents between 2011 and 2015 using Thinking Driver training courses)
Course Topics
- The dangers and penalties for distracted driving
- How to avoid distracted driving
- Understanding and applying advanced observation and recognition skills
- Understanding the importance of eye lead time and how to calculate it
- Visual search and scanning techniques
- Developing total situational awareness by getting a big picture view
- Mirror adjustment to minimize or eliminate blind spots
ANTICIPATE HAZARDS
Hazards abound in every driving environment. Defensive drivers recognize the hazards in their environment and understand how to mitigate the risks the they present
- Using superior vision to identify potential hazards
- Recognizing potential hazards before they become critical
- Classifying types of hazards using risk assessment strategies
- Predicting other traffic movements and planning responses in advance
KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN
Space around the vehicle in traffic affords a driver time to respond to other driver actions and other hazards. Managing space is skill necessary to effective defensive driving and this module provides multiple strategies to develop and maintain a safety cushion of space around the vehicle in a variety of situations.
- Concepts of space cushion driving and the safety zone around a vehicle
- Establishing and maintaining a safe following distance and adjusting for speed, vehicle configuration and conditions
- Optimum spacing at stops and intersections to provide vision and sight lines
- Freeway and highway space risk management
MANAGE THE RISK
Risk exists whenever a vehicle is in motion. The defensive driver understands the risk and takes action to eliminate unacceptable risk entirely (like choosing to not drive in a vehicle unequipped for the conditions) and mitigating acceptable risks by taking concrete action like covering the brake or choosing safer lanes or routes. Many risks are associated with the driver themselves including impairment resulting for substances like alcohol, cannabis or drugs (prescription or otherwise) and fatigue Strategies are explored to mitigate a variety of types of risk.
- Understanding and avoiding impairment and impairing substances including alcohol, cannabis and drugs when driving or working
- Recognizing fatigue and the risks associated with insufficient rest and/or sleep
- How to make good decisions to minimize risk in common driving situations
- Identifying safe speeds
- How to take proactive steps to reduce risk in critical situations
CONTROL WITH FINESSE
Superior vehicle control is the capstone to defensive driving skills. Optimizing traction is the objective and is achieved by developing smooth and balanced control inputs. Great steering, braking and acceleration skills permit abrupt or evasive manoeuvres to avoid crashes to be executed successfully under control
- Vehicle seating position for optimal control
- Total control steering technique as used by high performance drivers
- Maintaining vehicle balance and stability to optimize traction
- How to develop superior steering, braking, and accelerator control
- Correct use of anti-lock brakes
This course takes approximately 75 minutes to complete
A passing grade of 80% or higher required. Up to 3 attempts are provided.
A certificate will be provided upon the successful completion of this course.
