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Vehicle Control for Supervisors

Teaching a new driver can be stressful, but knowing you have some control can help. Professional driver education instructors are taught emergency responses to potential hazards that can crop up with an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. Here are some skills you can learn to help you maintain control from the passenger seat while teaching:

Emergency shifting: In a quiet, large, level, empty area, practice shifting the transmission from drive to neutral. This would be necessary if the accelerator becomes stuck. This would be necessary if the accelerator becomes stuck.

Taking the wheel: With an experienced driver in the driver’s seat, in a quiet, large, level, empty area, practice steering the car with your left hand from the passenger seat.

Mirrors: Adjust the mirror on the passenger sun visor so you can use it as a rearview mirror. If the right side mirror is properly adjusted, you can use it to monitor traffic to the rear from the passenger seat.

Awareness: Never assume everything is okay. Always check and re-check mirrors before you give instructions to your teen. Remember that you are a second set of eyes and ears, and you need to be alert and ready to help your teen.

Emergency stopping: Practice stopping the car with the parking brake (if your vehicle’s parking brake is located between the seats). This can be dangerous, even at low speeds, and should only be used as a last resort.

Driving has changed

Chances are, today’s cars are not the same as they were when you learned to drive. To teach your teen effectively, you need to know about a few important recent changes in how cars work, how we drive, and how driving is taught.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): Most newer cars offer ABS standard equipment. ABS is a dramatic safety improvement that works by letting the tires rotate, rather than lock up, when the brake is engaged. This allows drivers to steer the car in an emergency stop. ABS should be used with firm, continuous pressure. The brakes may shake and grind when applied, which often concerns users – but this is a normal function of ABS. To find out if your car has ABS, check the instrument panel after you turn on the ignition or read the owner’s manual.

Note: When driving a car without ABS, the old rules still apply. Don’t “slam” the brakes. Rather, press the brake pedal firmly. The intention is to stop quickly, but also to avoid locking the brakes and skidding. Skidding causes a loss of control.

Air bags: Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, which must be worn for the air bags to be effective. The use of a safety belt allows the driver to stay behind the wheel in order to take advantage of the airbag. Since air bags deploy out of the wheel on impact, it’s important to keep your hands and arms in the recommended position.

Steering wheel hand position: Most of us were taught to position our hands at 10 and 2 o’clock on the steering wheel. It’s now suggested that you hold the wheel at 9 and 3 o’clock or 8 and 4 o’clock. This gives you better vehicle control and also lessens the risk of injury if the airbag was to deploy.

Hands holding the wheel at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o’clock are not as likely to be hit by the air bag.

Commentary driving

Commentary driving is a great communication tool. Coach your teen to describe their actions, thoughts and observations out loud as they drive, similar to a sports commentator. Throughout the learning process, ask them to verbalize what they see around them, including potential risks and any steps they need to take to avoid them. Encourage your teen to verbalize an action they plan to make, such as turning, merging and approaching traffic lights.