HOCKENHEIM, Germany - Visualize several cars and trucks maneuvering around obstacles, slipping and sliding into the barricades of water, and even drifting and spinning out of control, all in the name of safety.
A group of twelve Army Reserve Soldiers and civilians from the 7th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) tested their capabilities as a driver when confronted with obstacles and different road conditions at the Hockenheim-Ring ADAC Traffic Safety Center.
This was the first time the ADAC Driver Safety Course was conducted for members of the 7th ARCOM, located in Tompkins Barracks, Schwetzingen, Germany, in order to educate them on driver safety and preventing accidents.
The German auto club ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) offers basic and advanced driver training. Basic instruction was provided by Rainer Gurke, an auto and motorcycle trainer from the German Traffic Security Commission.
Coming into the track area, Gurke said to the first time participants, "This is where you can test what the car is capable of doing."
First on the list was the Slalom Module, where drivers were allowed to get a feel for the road. Gurke directed them to go 40km/h the second time around. That is when the cones started getting knocked over and some of the vehicles started losing control.
"Accidents happen so fast, so you need to be able to look at handling your speed before, so you then have more time to react," Gurke said. "There should be more attention at everything on the road."
Next, at the Emergency Braking Module, the trainer demonstrated how to properly sit and fasten seat belts. He said a driver's face is liable to hit the steering wheel if there is too much slack on the belt in an accident.
"If you drive with a jacket, place the safety belt through the opened jacket," said Gurke as a tip to help drivers buckle up correctly.
He said that a driver should sit up straight where the back rest is fully vertical. This allows a stopping point with the lower body and the ability to apply full pressure on the brake pedal when necessary. Gurke continued saying that many drivers have their seats reclined, but when braking in an emergency that position will have the person pushed upward.
Gurke also said drivers are more likely to break their arms and legs when those limbs are extended.
"You have more absorption when you bend your knees, elbows, and sit a bit closer to the steering wheel," he said.
After being briefed, the participants were told to speed up to 50km/h and completely stop once reaching a set of cones placed further down the track. The driving was performed first on a dry and then wet surface to show the different stopping distances.
During the Obstacle Avoidance Module, drivers went through the track with speeds of up to 65 km/h.
"Keep in mind of other vehicles on the road and pedestrians, especially children," said Gurke.
This is where water based obstacles spontaneously shot up from the ground at different areas making it difficult to anticipate. You could see vehicles drive into the wall of water as there was hardly any time to react.
He said, "If you look at the obstacle, you drive towards the obstacle. If you steer sharper and not too wide, your vehicle won't slide into the obstacle."
The participants learned to safely maneuver around and avoid an obstacle too close to stop from behind.
"Among many things, the most impressive activity was learning how to do an emergency stop," said Capt. Sheila L. Coker, an Army Reserve finance-budget officer. "Through either early driver's education training or instinct, I was prone to tap my brakes, which is, of course, the wrong thing to do with today's ABS systems."
"Most accidents on the German Autobahn happen when drivers take their foot off the brake and go under the car in front of them," Gurke said. "You have to recognize that your car is completely still."
Gurke said a driver needs to press on the clutch with manual transmission when stopping in an emergency. If you don't, the number of RPMs (revolutions per minute) will continue to drive your car forward.
At the Circular Tracks Module, participants learned about oversteering and understeering with cars and trucks on the wet surface. Vehicles would start to drift going around the curve where drivers would then release the throttle and, if necessary, apply their brakes to gain control.
"It is very important to be alert and focused when driving," said Staff Sgt. Jeanette I. Lafoy, an Army Reserve career counselor. "The instructor reiterated steering techniques and emergency braking procedures when driving in inclement weather."
During the Seven Percent Downgrade Module portion of the course, drivers confronted more water obstacles, but this time going downhill on a slick surface.
The drivers had an even greater challenge when maneuvering and braking around obstacles.
Near the end of the training Gurke discussed the age and type of tires, saying that they shouldn't be older than five to six years, as they could be hazardous.
"The instructor taught us about the data listed on tires," said Lafoy. "I have since shown others about the DOT numbers on tires and that the last numbers represent the week and year each tire was manufactured."
In conclusion to the training, the instructor and participants discussed the modules covered and what they had learned.
"After having this training, I feel better prepared and more confident for whatever situations may occur while driving in 'less than perfect' conditions," said Coker.
They said they enjoyed it and had fun, but that it was also a critical learning experience.
"This was an exciting experience," Lafoy said. "I was able to challenge myself and the car I was driving in a safe and fun environment."
The 11-hectare site has more than 5,000 square meters of skid area and 119 water obstacles. Altogether, the centre offers 42 different training courses, ranging from basic training for motorcyclists to safety training for bus and truck drivers and premium training for car drivers.
Gurke said he hopes these individuals remember the problems they have and work with this.
When asked about the ability to participate in this type of training, Coker said it "is extremely impressive. It illustrates how the safety of our Soldiers and civilians truly is a priority within this command."
"I would recommend this course for all drivers; whether you've been driving for two years or 20," said Coker. "This course provides participants with actual driving experiences in a professionally controlled environment, and gives them the opportunity to learn how to react to avoid an accident by driving their own auto through the course. No textbook or video can give you this type of reality."
Social Sharing