Each student will be thoroughly trained in all nine exercises during the course and will be taught how they translate to Real-Life.

Emergency Lane Change

This exercise trains students to quickly and safely steer around sudden obstacles without losing control of the vehicle. These drills build quick reaction skills and improve steering precision. The Emergency Lane Change can prevent accidents by preparing students to avoid hazards like stalled vehicles, debris, or unexpected halts in traffic.

Serpentine

The serpentine is crucial to effectively teach vehicle handling and weight transfer. The student will negotiate a serpentine through a set of cones which develops their abilities for precise steering control, smooth vehicle handling, and better spatial awareness. By weaving through a series of cones, students learn how to make controlled turns and maintain proper speed and awareness. In Real-Life these skills are valuable for maneuvering around unexpected obstacles, tight spaces, or sharp turns safely and confidently, reducing the risk of collisions.

Straight Line Braking

Braking in a straight line is the quickest way to bring your vehicle to a stop. In this exercise, students will rapidly increase in speed while driving at a target. The student will then forcibly apply the brake while keeping the wheel straight. Training in this area will equip the student with the ability to stop safely and effectively without losing control. This exercise will be completed multiple times, starting at 25 mph and increasing to 45 mph. Students will be able to identify the stopping distance based on the speed they are going when they applied the brakes. We will also discuss the importance of the speed limit and how different roads are designed for cars to travel only certain speeds.

Brake Right, Brake Left

As we all know, sometimes braking just isn’t enough. Much like the Straight Line Braking exercise, this one will include rapidly getting up to a high rate of speed, forcibly applying the brake while keeping the wheel straight and making a split-second left or right maneuver based on the instructors last-second “Brake Right, or Brake Left” command. This exercise prepares students for when a vehicle pulls out in front of them while they are proceeding through an intersection with a green light. We will discuss the importance of scanning intersections as you approach them and identifying potential threats.

U-Turn

The U-Turn exercise helps students practice making safe, controlled turns in limited spaces while being aware of their surroundings. This exercise improves judgment of space, steering accuracy, and timing. In Real-Life, a skilled U-turn is useful for avoiding hazards, changing routes safely, and staying calm and in control when needing to reverse direction in traffic or emergency situations.

Threshold Braking

Not every braking emergency requires all of our force applied to the brake. In fact, there are situations where we need to brake quickly, but too quickly would force the vehicle behind you to collide with the rear of your vehicle. Threshold Braking is braking as hard as you can without activating your Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Students will drive at varying rates of speed into a “chute” and will quickly apply their brake while maintaining control over their vehicle. Students will feel the difference in braking with and without their ABS activated.

Rear-End Avoidance Maneuver (REAM)

This exercise consists of starting from a stopped position. The instructor will advise the student of a simulated vehicle approaching them from behind at a high rate of speed. Students will then make an abrupt lane change to avoid being struck. This simulates being stopped at a red light with a distracted driver quickly approaching from behind. We will discuss the importance of situational awareness while stopped at an intersection.

Reverse Driving

Students will drive in reverse through different parts of the course. This exercise improves a driver's ability to judge distance, use mirrors effectively, and maintain control while moving in reverse.

The Funnel

Students will enter a threshold lined with cones on either side. That threshold will be large and the cones will gradually get closer together, creating a funnel like shape. Students increase their speed with each repetition, training them in their ability to navigate their vehicle through tight spaces.

In addition to the nine exercises, students receive real, practical training in the following areas:

• Vehicle dynamics and weight transfer

• Vehicle handling

• Split-second decision making

• Confidence

• Managing stress while driving

• Avoiding tunnel vision

• Navigating adrenaline and the effects it has on decision making

• Space management of your vehicle