An article that appeared in the December issue of Tactics and Preparedness. The title is “High Performance Driving” but the article is more about defining and scientifically measuring driving skills.
Some excerpts from the article:
“If a driver can use 50 percent of the vehicle’s emergency maneuvering capability – they are considered an inexperienced driver.
“What makes an 80% driver? – When confronted with an emergency scenario, the 80% driver anticipates changes in the vehicle behavior, and is ready to maximize the vehicle’s capability. A 40% driver simply reacts to whatever the vehicle does.”
Giving yourself time and distance. – “An accident or an ambush is a time, distance relationship. No matter what level of skill the driver possesses if there is not enough time and distance to use the skill, bad things will happen. The driver needs to have the correct amount of Sight Distance. “
“It makes no difference what training you received and where you received it or what type of vehicle you are driving – No matter what the scenario, accident or vehicle violence – If you don’t have enough sight distance at the speed you are moving it is a no win scenario.”
Anticipation. How good would it be if all drivers had it. But from an operational standpoint the other consideration is adrenal dump. Fight, flight, freeze. Do something. It amazes me how many people can negotiate cones (often at high speed) but once on road tunnel vision, aggressive / harsh inputs and a hightenned state contribute to the overall ability for a member to maintain optimal control of the vehicle. This IMO is the operational mindset of a driver and can only be developed after years of training and experiences.
I often say “Mobility increases security” (of course within context) and a large part of my teaching is to increase stimulus on the driver whilst ensuring they maintain a sound level of dynamic vehicle control to any drill we are drilling. Easy to say but very often hard to do……