Defensive Driving Course

[firedoc5]

Something I highly recommend is taking a Defensive Driving Course. If they offer one in your area, take it. Some areas I know it is unofficially required. Some services, when they have a new hire, require it within a certain amount of time to let them continue driving.

The course we took was based on the same program that the test drivers for General Motors take. They put you in old state trooper cars and have obstacle courses laid out for you, including a "skid" area. On the passenger side where the instructor rides has a break pedal that they can select to lock up either the right or the left wheels. They pretty much cover any situation that you may come up against. There is also classroom and a written test.

It's a blast. The first time we took it was to learn, and we did a lot. The second time was for kicks and giggles, but we still learned even more.

Personally for me it was a real pleasure. Come to find out one of the instructors was from my home town and my dad had dated his sister.

[Eydawn]

I had a course titled "safe driver" for my company and it didn't do BEANS for my driving ability or judgment. It was a joke.

Bad videos, and a drive test that a moron could pass.

I think a lot of this just comes with experience. I know I've improved my driving skills since I got my license... because I'm older and think better.

Wendy

CO EMT-B

[n0ssb]

By Bill Scanlon

Rocky Mountain News

Copyright 2008 Rocky Mountain News

DENVER — Two paramedics and an EMT were injured this morning when their ambulance — siren and lights activated — rolled over on West Evans Avenue in Denver.

The ambulance, from Denver Health, was in the wrong lane when it rolled over, Denver Fire spokesman Alex Paez said.

It tried to pass a lumber truck that was in a center lane making a left-hand turn, he said. The two vehicles collided.

"They kind of put themselves in harm's way when they go in opposite lanes," Paez said. "We do that sometimes when the lane we're traveling in is full, because cars aren't getting out of the way or there's construction in the lane."

The trio was taken to Denver Health Medical Center. Paez didn't know the extent of injuries, but he said they didn't seem to be serious.

The ambulance was on an emergency run, but hadn't yet picked up the patient, Paez said.

Denver police spokesman John White said investigators are talking to witnesses to try to determine the cause of the accident that happened about 9:30 a.m.

[Eydawn]

I already posted that, dangit n0! Would you post that in the Denver Health: how not to drive thread too, since it offers more info than I had from the Fox News story?

Wendy

CO EMT-B

[Richard B the EMT]

Firedoc5, what you seem to be describing sounds more like an EVOC, or Emergency Vehicle Operating Course, than Defensive Driving Class. The DDC gets most Americans a small discount on their car insurance for 3 years, and takes 7 hours in a classroom (actually 8 hours, but we break for lunch)

Part of my classes at NYC EMS was a 5 day EVOC. It also afforded me a discount on my car insurance, but most civilians don't take that, they take the DDC.

Please clarify which one, by those descriptions, you are actually referring to?

[firedoc5]

Firedoc5, what you seem to be describing sounds more like an EVOC, or Emergency Vehicle Operating Course, than Defensive Driving Class. The DDC gets most Americans a small discount on their car insurance for 3 years, and takes 7 hours in a classroom (actually 8 hours, but we break for lunch)

Part of my classes at NYC EMS was a 5 day EVOC. It also afforded me a discount on my car insurance, but most civilians don't take that, they take the DDC.

Please clarify which one, by those descriptions, you are actually referring to?

It was pretty much both. Civilians can not take it. You must be with a Police, Fire, or EMS. It didn't effect personal insurance that I know of. I guess you could consider it an advanced DDC. Classroom was either 4 or 5 hrs. I'm not sure which. It was actually through Southern IL Univ. Since Police were taking the class also we learned pursuit driving and PIT maneuvers. We all did it all. Like I said, it was a blast.

[Richard B the EMT]

OK, for my purposes, at least, the class was an EVOC.

[firedoc5]

OK, for my purposes, at least, the class was an EVOC.

I'd go with that. We said we had to learn how to drive defensively, because we were already offending drivers.

I just remember they actually called it Defensive and Evasive Driving.