Where Are Your Blind Spots?
Studies prove the biggest blind spot most drivers have isn’t in the design of their cars — it’s in their minds. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of American drivers rate themselves as "excellent" or "very good" drivers, according to a 2011 Allstate survey. The same survey, though, shows the majority of these same excellent/very good drivers admit to speeding, driving while too tired to focus, distracted driving or actually being in accidents.
“Driving is one of the most hazardous tasks we carry out each day, but we do it so much and so often it’s easy to think we don’t need a refresher course or additional training, because we are so practiced,” says Bill Hooker, PDRMA Training Program Supervisor. “Our Special Recreation Association (SRA) drivers often face additional on-board distractions when transporting patrons to and from activities, and PDRMA is always looking for ways to help members sharpen and improve their safe driving skills.”
This summer PDRMA Education and Training is working with the National Safety Council (NSC) to develop a new instructor-led 15-Passenger Van Driver Safety Program. PDRMA will pilot the course this fall and include it in the 2015 PDRMA training calendar.
“We’re well into the development phase and are on track for a fall pilot program,” says Hooker “Any PDRMA members interested in this new course are welcome to contact me for more information.”
Hooker encourages agencies to take advantage of other fleet driver training PDRMA offers, specifically our 15-Passenger Van/Shuttle Bus Simulator course, which provides instant feedback about students’ actions and decision making. PDRMA subsidizes the cost of this training, held at the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) in Glenview.
Through PDRMA’s training buy-out option, an agency can schedule the simulator course at NIPSTA whenever it’s convenient or share the program with a neighboring park district or SRA as long as there are no more than six students. The cost of the six-hour training is $500, but PDRMA subsidizes $200 per class and bills an agency $300 for the session. PDRMA’s online class, Defensive Driving: 15-Passenger Vans, is a prerequisite for the simulator training, and students must present their online certificate of completion before beginning the simulator training.
“A refresher course to remind staff drivers of the dangers they face when transporting patrons is a smart investment in keeping everyone safe — no matter what season it is,” adds Hooker.
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