Specialists determined that 90% of all traffic crashes can be avoided if a driver has just a single second longer to react. Driving Dynamics is a program that instructs teen and adult drivers on what to do in that second to avoid a crash.

Driving Dynamics trains people for the real world driving environment and teaches them techniques to help prevent fatal accidents. For example, one simulation activity is sliding on ice. To help divers experience the feel, Driving Dynamics uses a patented Controlled Slide Car. The specialized instruction car provides drivers with the opportunity to practice handling all forms of dangerous road conditions. The instructor sits in the passenger seat with a joystick controlling the car, while the student drives. The instructor moves the joystick, controlling the back tires of the car and the driver has to correct the direction of the car, without overcorrecting it.

The eight-hour long course consists of approximately five hours of behind-the-wheel training  and three hours of classroom discussions. During behind-the-wheel training, instructors teach students how to properly use their brakes, avoid blind spots, warn against cell phone usage and teach good following distances and strategies for lane changing.

Next the students get behind the wheel. The instructors set up a course with cones for the students to drive through. They tell the driver a speed to accelerate to quickly and then to brake hard. This will active the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) brakes in the car. The point of the exercise is to teach drivers how to react if a car cuts them off or someone or something jumps in front of the vehicle.

The instructors also remind the driver that it is not a good idea to drive in the blind spot of another vehicle for any length of time. The student is instructed to speed up or slow down to get out of the area of another driver’s blind spot. Another driving tip is that drivers should move lanes for disabled vehicles on the side of the road as well as for those pulled over by law enforcement. Drivers should also be aware of the three-second following distance rule. This is an easy technique that allows the driver enough time to apply their brakes and prevent an accident if the vehicle in front of them stops suddenly.

One aspect that the instructors can not stress enough is the importance of not using a cell phone while driving. Teens are especially prone to using their cell phones while driving because many believe that nothing will happen to them if they glance at the road every few seconds. Driving Dynamics instructors have a safe exercise to explain the importance of refraining from cell phone use while driving. A course with  many sharp turns and cones is set up and the instructor tells the students to use their phone and attempt to navigate the course. Over the radio they give the student a certain speed to achieve. The student must then try to type out four numbers on their phone as they drive through the cones. It is particularly challenging and many students ran over the cones or failed to type the numbers.

Many companies make the Driving Dynamics course mandatory for their employees. The course guides drivers away from deadly accidents that happen on the road. Driving Dynamics teaches their students what to do in the split second before a crash could happen and how to prevent accidents. This program is a great learning experience. To contact them call 302-607-7222.