Don’t Get Distracted — Register for Training Now

Your cell phone’s charging in the console of your car and your Venti Latte from Starbucks is steaming in the cup holder. You’re tuning in your favorite Sirius radio station while your two kids argue in the back seat. Sound like a modern-day driver’s education DVD? Considering how many opportunities the average driver has to become distracted, it’s no wonder distracted driving is the fastest growing cause of vehicular accidents.  

The well-documented dangers of distraction, along with the fact that many PDRMA members are responsible for transporting patrons, are two very good reasons why members should consider incorporating driver safety into their training schedules. 

“Driving is one of the most risk-intensive tasks we’re exposed to every day,” says Bill Hooker, PDRMA Training Program Supervisor, “so staying focused is extremely important — for your safety as well as the safety of those in your vehicle.”

PDRMA’s 15-Passenger Van Simulator Training Course is available to members for just $300, which includes a financial subsidy from PDRMA. The course provides individual driving simulators for a maximum of six students, and a single agency or multiple agencies can work together to fill the class and share the cost. As a prerequisite, participants must complete PDRMA's online 15-Passenger Van course before attending the simulator training.  

“The course is held at NIPSTA (Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy) in Glenview and uses state-of-the-art driving simulators that allow participants to experience and respond to real-life situations,” explains Hooker. “They can practice high-risk tasks such as driving in severe weather, maneuvering through traffic, backing the vehicle into a parking space and proceeding through dangerous intersections.” Contact PDRMA Education and Training staff to schedule a class for your agency.

PDRMA’s Defensive Driving and Fleet Safety Programs are scheduled for April 11 in Morton Grove and April 25 in Bolingbrook. The programs focus on pre-trip vehicle inspections, proper mirror placement and the dangers of distracted driving. In addition, two new defensive driving on-demand videos are available on the PDRMA website in English and Spanish.  

In addition to fleet-safety training, PDRMA’s first-quarter training calendar includes the following ergonomic, safety, and management training classes:

Back Safety and Ergonomics School for Maintenance Staff
Feb. 25 — LaGrange Park District

Ergonomics and Back Safety School for Therapeutic Recreation Staff
March 4 — Tinley Park - Park District

Ergonomics and Back Safety School for Therapeutic Recreation Staff
March 13 — Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy

How to Establish and Lead an Effective Safety Committee
Feb. 26 — Lisle Park District