Defensive driver

Introduction

Driving and being driven pose some of the biggest risks to personal safety for anyone working in hostile or high risk areas, as well as in developing countries. Control Risks' defensive driver training course is designed to enable the driver to carry out recognised security procedures, identify hazards and take appropriate action in the event of a crisis.

The defensive driving skills and procedures taught are designed to allow the individual to safeguard and to minimise attempts to attack or harm the vehicle's occupants in two ways:

• Avoidance - identifying the simple ways in which an individual can reduce the likelihood of an attack taking place
• Evasion - teaching the skills which an individual can use to escape when under attack

Course Content

The training course typically runs for 3 days, though this can be tailored depending on client requirements. The course commences with a period of introduction and theory, using a video to enhance and illustrate the briefing. The instructor and students then begin practical driving instruction. Students are asked to drive in turn so that the instructor can assess levels of ability. The instructor carries out a demonstration drive, indicating the various driving techniques and students get the opportunity to practise what they have learned

Course content includes:

• Personal awareness in high risk environments
• Route selection and planning
• Basic maintenance checks daily/weekly
• Vehicle security, searching and road worthiness
• Car control system
• Situation awareness
• Journey and vehicle emergency and contingency planning
• Off-road driving/terrain selection/use of sand ladders
• Off-road recovery/use of kinetic rope winch training/anchors
• Power, performance and handling awareness
• Hazard identification
• Use of lights
• Use of slip roads and other escape
• Rapid speed reduction techniques

Expert instructors and leading facilities

Control Risks instructors are serving and retired Police Advanced Driving Instructors. For off-road techniques, we also have a fully qualified specialist off road instructor. We keep course numbers to a minimum to allow an appropriate ratio between instructors and delegates, and to maximise the time spent on practical exercises.

Control Risks' training school is set in extensive grounds and woodland. We have 2 dedicated off-road driver training areas, and an airfield for advanced technical manoeuvres, allowing delegates ample opportunity to practice their driving skills. Where required, we can also conduct training abroad. All vehicles are provided, including armoured and standard 4x4's, saloons and high powered armoured saloons.