Steve Lewis managing director of R3 Rockingham, explains why the best time to invest in the ‘nut holding the wheel’ is not just before they hit a tree or ditch.
Did anyone ever teach us how to use ABS properly? How to recognise the start of a skid, or what to do when it happens? How and when to brake, and where to look?
Drivers may have been told by their mates, or even their dad – but you can’t just tell a driver to drive better.
Too many people are killed because drivers lose control of their vehicle. This is often because they have no idea how close to the limit of grip they are.
To say ‘drive to the conditions’ is all well and good but most drivers have no concept of how the ‘conditions’ will influence grip and therefore control, yet alone how their actions will create loss of control.
For many years I’ve been teaching people on-track how to feel and understand what a car is doing underneath them, and how their inputs directly affect what the vehicle does.
I’ve also instructed in skid cars for others, but became frustrated by the fact it was seen as a ‘fun/corporate’ activity. For me, the message is much more serious than that.
Using the low grip surfaces and skid plate at our unique Corby facility, we encourage drivers from 14-70yrs to get-it-wrong (in safety) and learn from their mistakes – with professional instructors explaining the best techniques and, more importantly, what not to do when faced with wet, snowy or icy roads.
Once they have spun or skidded into a potentially life-threatening crash situation, without knowing why, or what they did, or should have done – drivers then listen and respond fully to instruction both in car and in classroom. We see a real ‘hearts and minds’ shift in attitude and awareness.
They truly ‘get-it’, because actions speak louder than words.
Effective training involves analysis of progress. That’s why we measure this by testing understanding and application at all stages – with a result at the end of the course.
Our skid courses should not be seen in isolation. They are most effective when combined with on-road ADI instruction; this helps put everything into context.
How often can you truly learn skills that could save your life, and the lives of others?
R3 Rockingham provides hands-on training programmes for all drivers, particularly young drivers taking the wheel for the first time. Courses are delivered by enthusiastic, highly-qualified driving professionals in and around the controlled environment of the Rockingham facility near Corby in Northamptonshire. R3 stands for ‘Road Risk Reduction’.
With the first snowfall of the winter occurring in the last 24hrs, the lack of experience and skill in driving in slippery conditions is once again apparent. It’s sensible to be cautious obviously, however some can be seen to be over-cautious driving at almost walking speed on roads which are not that slippery at the time and causing tailgating and impatience. All it takes is for the driver to gingerly test (safely) their own vehicle’s response to the road – braking and propensity for the wheels to lock and slide – and drive accordingly and gain confidence. Keep it smooth and gradual – no sudden movements acceleration, braking and steering which could trigger loss of grip, is the key.
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
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Honor, thank you for your comment.
Please let me know personally what it will take to address this evaluation. We know our system works. The drivers who have been ‘get-it’. I say again we are not a ‘me too’ programme so cannot be judged on what others deliver. Actions speak louder than words and are more memorable.
R3Rockingham Corby
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“Skid training does NOT change young-drivers crash-rates”. That should be our position until we find good quality evidence showing otherwise. Has any report followed up those who have taken skid training to see how many crashes they had? If such research has been done, what were the results compared to? How were the self-selection effects of those who choose skid training accounted for? Without scientific trials, we can’t do much better than an educated guess therefore our initial statement remains true. If, on the other hand, scientific trials were run we will finally know whether skid training increases or reduces crash rates, and the severity of those crashes.
But one thing is clear. With “Loss of control” being the largest contributory factor in fatal collisions, skid-training is one intervention that has the potential to genuinely save lives and so should be considered for government funding. Not to subsidise skid training, but to pay the cost of running scientific trials.
Dave Finney, Slough
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Previous young driver skills programes that focussed on skid pan training were shown to increase the young person’s skill level and confidence without a commensurate development of judgement, which is why they then got into crashes. If this course addresses those factors effectively, it will be worth looking at. We look forward to a comprehensive evaluation of the programme in due course, at which point we will be able to see whether it achieves its aims.
Honor Byford, Chair, Road Safety GB
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R3Rockingham Corby – recounted:
As confucious said:
“Tell me, and I will forget.
Show me and I may remember.
Involve me, and I will understand.”
It’s a fundamental thing about the human psyche that if you tell someone to do something they will automatically resist you. As per above you have to get then ‘on side’. One way to do that is to illustrate why their behavior makes them more vulnerable to crashes. Once they feel that emotion they will respond; for the sake of themselves and for their family. The sense of vulnerability is the real key. Once they have that emotion then will they really be prepared to learn. So, I’m afraid even the title is off track because it suggests that those who created it have tried to tell others how to ‘drive better’, and then perhaps have been surprised why they did not get a positive result. This is about basic understanding of human nature or, learn some basic sales techniques.
Nigel Albright
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It is clearly preferable to not get into a skid situation in the first instance; adverse weather and road conditions can catch any driver unawares. In such a situation a driver with some knowledge of how to react may be able to recover the vehicle and avoid a potentially dangerous situation. A course such as this does not have to instil false confidence to be able to cope with any road conditions and therefore drive without regard to those conditions. The course can, in a controlled environment, provide a driver with a degree of experience of a skid and how to respond to a skid situation. I would rather my family have that experience and knowledge than not.
Kevan Paradine, Milton Keynes
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Having completed a course, all drivers were left with no doubt that they would probably not recover from loss of control and that this would most probably end up as a serious incident if it happened on the public roads.
The key learning point is to avoid the skid whenever possible by allowing drivers to experience for themselves how easy it is to lose control in apparently quite normal situations. This loss of control is something shocking and will be remembered forever.
Sadik Miah, London
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Bob hi.
We agree with you. One very well delivered lesson on our ice tiles demonstrates how impotent a driver feels when they are pushing the brakes as hard as possible yet they are still sliding towards the vehicle/ditch/danger in front.
Space is Safe is a great maxim and is exactly why we do the exercise to physically allow them to experience that feeling, because any sane driver will never want that to happen on the public roads and they will remember it for life.
As confucious said:
“Tell me, and I will forget.
Show me and I may remember.
Involve me, and I will understand.”
R3Rockingham Corby
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I wonder why we should have skid training when it’s going to be easier preventing the skid in the first place. I understand from the initial report that training involves other useful info as to why they happen and how to avoid them.
I would suggest that the simplest form of defence against skidding caused by harsh braking is not to get too close to the vehicle in front. Whilst promoting the Space is Safe idea, it is nothing new. Trained driving and riding professionals in the services including DSA believe that if we were to keep a more reasonable distance behind a vehicle in front then we will see further and be able to see much more of what is happening. Other road users would be able to see us better and sooner and perhaps not put themselves into a dangerous situation. With more space comes more time to take avoiding action and that means being able to stop in the distance that one can see to be clear and without having to drive or veer onto the wrong side of the road. It’s a lot easier coming to a controlled stop than doing the same in a skid…
I am not saying that Space is Safe is 100% the answer as we all know that some circumstances can occur when space is not the issue. Not part of the equation, but in the vast majority of circumstances a lack of space can be a contributory factor and therefore Space as a safety measure is not to be dismissed. It is a vital component in all advanced driving or riding.
Bob craven Lancs, Space is Safe Campaign
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I’d like to thank Simon for pointing out that report but, while it suggests skid training leads to increased crash rates, it doesn’t provide any evidence to back up that claim. The report references another report: “Conflicting goals of skid training” but this report is not free to read and the parts that are available also don’t provide any evidence of increased crash rates due to skid training. That report also claims that police enforcement of drink drive laws has resulted in an increase in fatalities and, while evidence is presented for that claim, it is, at best, very weak. The lack of evidence for skid training and the unsubstantiated claim regarding drink drive enforcement seriously undermines the report’s credibility.
We must remember that “Loss of control” is the largest contributory factor in fatal collisions (31% of the total). Without skid training, the first time a driver loses control might be when a child runs out or a corner tightens. Surely that’s not the best time to start learning? The purpose of subjecting drivers to the experience of losing control is to demonstrate that vehicles can react in unexpected ways that might not be possible to recover from. Most people will then have a much greater appreciation of how not to get into to situations where they might lose control in the first place.
Skid training could save lives or result in more deaths therefore shouldn’t we insist on good quality evidence (preferably scientific trials) before reaching conclusions?
Dave Finney, Slough
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Good advert for training in skid management or for R3 Rockingham.
Nothing new under the sun…..I cast my mind back many years… again to the 1960’s and 70’s and do vaguely remember that something of this nature was mooted in those days of yore. I can’t remember who did it, probably the police on skid pads used by bus companies for anti skid training. It didn’t catch on.
PS: I thought that in many northern European countries drivers have snow tyres to put on during the winter months and made it a legal requirements in some countries. It helps with contact, steering and stopping and therefore saves lives.
I agree with Nigel that distance is important as if adopted it will prevent a lot of shunts. Greater distance given between vehicles is under estimated in its value to road safety and is one of the prime directives of safer driving.
bob craven Lancs…
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Thank you all for your interesting and stimulating comments. Too many to answer all, but to hit some key points.
We agree that skills-based training needs to be delivered very carefully in a measured and controlled manner. R3Rockingham leave the driver in no doubt they should avoid skidding or losing control and that the reason this could happen is through their driving. We aim to revise attitude and behavior.
Our key point here is that to tell a driver is less effective and does not work for most. To physically experience loss of control and put this into real-life driving context is something most drivers will remember for the rest of their lives.
We have thought long and hard about what does and does not work in preparing and delivering these courses. Please don’t judge us with what has gone before without seeing for yourself first-hand.
We are winning many over. Constables Charlie Amodio and Les Lee of the Roads Policing Unit, together with Graham Compton, Senior Traffic Management Officer, Leicestershire Police, attended the R3Rockingham Road Risk Reduction scheme open day at Rockingham on 30th October.
Graham said, “We all thoroughly enjoyed the training day and took a great deal from it. Some excellent advice was given during the classroom session. Both experienced traffic officers agreed that the wet grip facility would be of benefit to all drivers in extending their driving knowledge with a view to enhancing their own and other road users safety. This aspect of the day would be particularly useful for our younger drivers who remain the most vulnerable sector on our roads. We would encourage all drivers to consider investing in the R3Rockingham course. Together we can make our roads safer.”
R3Rockingham Corby
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Every winter at the first sign of ice and snow, it’s a good idea to find a quiet road or car park where you can re-acquaint yourself with the sensation of wheels locking and also ABS, if available. A lot of drivers don’t understand it or have never experienced it in action and don’t know how to react to it.
Some drivers are naturally and perhaps sensibly nervous of slippery conditions, but by gingerly getting the feel of the vehicle in such conditions when it’s safe to do so, is better than finding out at the first sudden ‘real’ application of brakes.
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
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By far the best thing to have in slippery conditions is a fear of getting into a skid. One simply does not want drivers who are confident that they can either recognise the onset of one and therefore drive up to that limit, or confident in their ability to control that skid when it is already initiated. Skid pan training is great fun, but it may well have a detrimental effect on one’s ultimate safety unless one has the correct frame of mind.
David, Suffolk
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That drivers from cold countries are puzzled that British drivers have more problems on ice and snow is because few, here or there, realise that ice and snow that is just below freezing is much more slippery than when it is well below freezing. This is because the pressure imposed by tyres (or shoes for that matter) very rapidly lowers the melting point of the ice or snow and turns into into an excellent lubricant – water.
Idris Francis Fight Back With Facts Petersfield
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Road Risk factor = vulnerability (to crashes). The key Road Risk Reduction factor is in HC 126, ‘.. being able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear’. 30% of crashes are front to rear end shunts. So a good following distance (having space and time) are the first line defence in reducing vulnerability. I really hope this 3R training has this fundamental principle strongly embedded in its programme.
Nigel Albright.
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Oh dear. The evidence from international studies shows that rather than preventing collisions, “There are some types of initiatives that have been shown to increase young driver’s risk of being involved in a collision. Skills programmes such as skid training have been shown to increase young driver’s confidence of coping with difficult driving situations, increasing their exposure to collisions.”
http://www.devon.gov.uk/youger_drivers_full_report.pdf
If a local authority funded places on a course such as the one provided here and a young driver was involved in a crash due to over-confidence the lawyers would have a field-day!
Simon, Corby
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R3 are very well aware of this issue with skills based training and leave every driver
truly aware that they are the key protagonist in terms of losing control and that the driver will most likely not be able to recover a car when out of control. The key learning factor is that avoidance is much more effective than correction, however, understanding and first-hand experience is key to making this fact memorable ‘for life’.
Robin, Towcester
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Any skills based training needs to be considered very carefully. The danger that needs to be avoided is one of skill miscalibration. In other words, the driver feels more able in someway and this leads to them to take more risk!
Ian Edwards Doncaster
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In my own driving career I never learnt so much, so quickly, than when I was fortunate enough to travel to Sweden and do a high performance course on a frozen lake. The Swedes, who live in difficult driving conditions for a greater part of the year than us in the UK, certainly have a higher skill level than us throughout the wider community. The World Rally Championship illustrates the talent in Sweden.
Not many of the drivers in the UK get the opportunity I had, so I would very much recommend taking part in a skid pan based course at R3 Rockingham.
Robin, Towcester
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Great article, maybe this should be part of the driving test, going onto a crowded public road without learning the above skills is a recipe for disaster.
Steve Cooling Oxfordshire
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Excellent article, although it’s a great shame we don’t have any similar facilities for teaching motorcyclists about skid control and ABS use.
Duncan MacKillop, Startford on Avon
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