Cockpit Drill

Driving down the highway is no time to be looking down for any of these controls.

Find the door handles. When dark, they are not lit up and are in a different place on every vehicle.

If you see a vehicle approaching you with mist or snow behind it; turn on your wipers before you enter the blinding situation.

Door Locks (SKID PAD)

Unlock the doors every time you switch drivers or an instructor gets in.

Window Buttons

To open for instructor directions. All driver side windows to be up prior to entering skidpad to keep out the “water spray!”

Seats

Adjust the seat close enough that you can place your right foot flat on the floor under the brake and still have a slight bend at the knee. Otherwise, in an emergency when you stomp on the brake pedal you will not have enough leg extension to fully activate all four brakes. The reason for this is that you are also pushing yourself back into the seat cushion as you brake in a panic situation.

Adjust the seat back vertically so that when either hand slides on the wheel to the 12 o’clock position, you still have a bend at the elbow.

Steering Wheel

If possible, adjust it up or down or in and out so that in an emergency you can grab the wheel at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions with a bend in each elbow. This is critical so that if necessary you can turn the wheel a full half turn (180°) either way to correct a skid and never have to let go of the wheel. You always know where the tires are pointing.

Passengers

Try to get in the habit of not looking at your passenger when driving. You will be able to hear everything that is being said without taking your eyes off of the road and your mirrors.

Driving is like a team sport: You have to know where everybody is and where they are going. You can only know this by watching ahead of you, and behind.

Cell Phones

Repeated studies and accident statistics show that multi-tasking takes away from your concentration of both jobs. Don’t increase your chances of crashing.

Mirrors

This adjustment is essential on multi-lane roads. It also works well on two lane roads and eliminates the glare from behind at night in your outer mirrors.

You should have three mirrors to work with. If you don’t have all three- go out and get them!

The purpose of the inside or rear-view mirror is to see what’s happening behind you.

The two side-view mirrors are to monitor the activity beside your car. These mirrors are to be adjusted out so that the area they cover compliments- but doesn’t duplicate- what the rear view mirror sees.

While parked, adjust the driver mirror OUT until you can’t see the side of the vehicle. Do the same with the passenger side mirror. If you lean ahead or tilt your head left or right you will see the sides, which you are probably used to doing.

This will take some time to get used to.

Check your mirror positions before you drive away. Heavy traffic is not the place to discover that a transport truck can fit neatly in a blind spot.

Having the mirrors in this position will eliminate the blind spots if anyone is driving in them. It will keep you informed of where all traffic is around you so that you can maintain your “safety bubble.” It allows you to safely change lanes as necessary. This allows you to veer left or right if anything happens in your lane.

NEVER DRIVE IN ANYONES BLIND SPOT.

Properly adjusted, you can eliminate the blind spots in most vehicles. Properly adjusted, your side-view mirrors show you what’s beside your car, not behind it. If you have to make a quick shoulder check, make it quick. At 100km/h you can easily travel the length of a football field in the length of time it takes to look around you. A lot can happen in front of you in that distance.

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