Term
| #1 – Describe the Smith System approach to driving. |
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Definition
• An approach to driving that includes a five step system in which you must practice all steps until they become routine
o Aim high in driving – look as far ahead as possible to keep the driver’s view up rather than looking down at the area in front of the car
o Keep your eyes moving – establish an orderly visual search pattern (e.g., look near and far, to the left and right, in the mirrors, at the instrument panel)
• Get the big picture
o Become aware of the whole traffic scene
o This is the mental process of putting together the clues received from the first two steps
• Leave yourself an out
o Avoid being boxed in
o Maintain a space cushion (e.g., 2-4 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you) surrounding your vehicle
o Increase space cushion as weather or circumstances dictate
o Constantly plan for eventuality of evasive actions
• Make sure others see you
o Advantageous lane position
o Headlight use during the day
o A communication mode for getting drivers to be aware of one another’s presence to avoid surprise situations |
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Term
| #2 – Explain the importance of safety belts and other occupant protection devices. |
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Definition
• Required by the Ohio Revised Code
• Better vehicle control thereby reducing the chances of becoming involved in a collision
• Less chance of injury or death if involved in a collision while using a properly adjusted vehicle restraint system
• Role model to community |
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Term
| #3 – Explain the dynamics of steering. |
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Definition
Countersteering
• A method of counteracting the forces created in a skid, dry or wet, by steering in the direction of the skid, or the intended path of travel
Understeering
• Usually caused by excessive speed. The vehicle will have a tendency to continue in a straight line and resist turning due to a loss of traction with the front tires (i.e., wheels are turned and the vehicle continues straight)
Oversteering
• Reduces the desired cornering radius as a vehicle progresses through a turn, requiring the driver to rotate the steering wheel away from the direction of the turn
• Is the result of excessive speed, or hydroplaning, or improper braking as the rear wheels lose their lateral traction before the front tires, causing the rear of the vehicle to slide toward the outside of the turn |
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Term
| #4 – List the acceptable hand movements for steering methods. |
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Definition
• Shuffle steering
• Hand over hand
• Evasive steering |
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Term
| #5 – Explain the dynamics of braking. |
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Definition
Front wheel lock up
• Caused by improper brake adjustment or slick spot on the road
• Causes reduced braking ability and loss of steering
• Rear wheels act as a rudder and maintain straight ahead slide
All wheels locked up
• Caused by a panic situation in which brakes are applied abruptly and hard enough to lock all four wheels
• The vehicle will probably skid in a straight line as long as variables such as road surface, tire tread, and air pressure are fairly even
Rear wheel lock up
• Caused by improperly adjusted brakes which cause rear wheels to lock while front wheels continue to rotate
• Vehicle will rotate around center mass in the horizontal plane
Brake fade
• No feedback from the brake when pressure is applied
• Is most common during a drive when frequent use of the brakes does not allow for proper cooling (i.e., overheated brakes)
Weight transfer – occurs when the vehicle changes velocity or direction
• Vehicle accelerates
− The front lifts, causing weight in the rear to increase
− Weight shift to the rear can cause loss of traction for front-wheel drive vehicles
− Can increase traction for rear-wheel drive vehicles
• Vehicle brakes
− Weight is transferred to front wheels
− Front wheels have higher braking efficiency
• Change of direction
• Transfers weight from one side of the vehicle to the other
• More noticeable in vehicle with a higher center of gravity
Environmental factors
• Road surface
• Wet or dry
• Surface debris
• Pavement type and temperature
• Road design
− Flat or uphill
− Curve
− Crowned or banked
• Visibility relative to perception time
− Weather conditions
− Day or night
− Blind spots and other traffic
• Wind
Vehicle condition
• Braking system
− Poorly maintained
− Low brake fluid
• Suspension system and steering components
− Bad shock absorbers
− Broken or worn tie rods
• Tires
− Improper tire tread
− Improper tire pressure, alignment, or balance |
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Term
| #6 – Describe acceptable backing methods. |
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Definition
• With good, routine backing habits, an officer will be able to minimize the risks generated while backing during an emergency. The chances for a backing collision increase with emergency response because officers seldom practice backing at higher speeds with heightened emotions
• Back in a straight line if possible
o Keep one hand on the top of the steering wheel
o Turn body to the right, look over right shoulder, and look through the rear window if possible or use your mirrors as mentioned in the practical portion
o Check mirrors and front of vehicle periodically
o The front of the vehicle will be extremely sensitive to any steering movements
o Keep speed constant
• Brake smoothly, as front wheel lock up is likely if hard braking is applied
• While backing, especially at higher rate of speed, should the driver start to lose control, stop the vehicle, correct the steering input
• If turning is necessary, the safe completion of the maneuver is more important than the speed of the maneuver
• Avoid backing long distances whenever possible. Turn the vehicle around as soon as possible and maneuver in a forward gear |
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Term
| #7 – Determine the route an officer should select when responding to an emergency. |
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Definition
| • The quickest, most direct route |
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Term
| #8 – Describe how to clear an intersection. |
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Definition
• Allow for others to adjust to the law enforcement vehicle’s approach
• Adjust your speed so that others see and hear the emergency warning devices
• Use quick, yet thorough, searching methods to clear the intersection to the left, front, and right streets
o Place your chin near your shoulder from left to right
o In order to ensure center vision down cross lanes
• Look for additional emergency response vehicles
• Change siren pattern to attract attention with a different sound
o Change pitch in advance of intersection
o Return to two handed driving near intersection and concentrate on lane clearing
o The goal is to make sure you have a clear path before you enter the intersection
• Intersections are extremely hazardous areas; be aware of limited sight, driver confusion, drivers turning in front of you, and cross traffic unaware of your approach
• Never assume an intersection is clear simply because of a green signal or the presence of another officer “holding” the intersection; it is the responsibility of the emergency vehicle operator to make sure the way is clear before entering the intersection
• On approach to a multilane intersection, use the lane by lane clearing approach
o Visually clear each lane before you proceed through the intersection
o For example, look and say to yourself, “Lane 1, left, right, clear. Lane 2, left, right, clear,” etc.
• A complete stop at intersections may be the safest option on emergency response |
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Term
| #9 – Describe ways to reduce injury or property damage when a collision is imminent. |
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Definition
• Avoid having the collision take place in the driver’s quarter of the vehicle
• Try to strike the object on an angle, thus deflecting some of the impact forces
• Maintain steering and braking control to avoid colliding with additional objects after the first collision
• Steer to the rear – steering for the rear of the other vehicle minimizes injury by avoiding the passenger compartment and minimizes crash severity by striking the lightest area of most vehicles
• If possible, look through the collision for a clear path of travel |
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Term
| #10 - Identify factors to consider when determining to initiate a vehicle pursuit. |
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Definition
• Legal authority and agency policy
− The guidelines set forth by state law and agency policy are not optional
− Officers are bound by these restrictions whether they personally agree with them or not
− Officers must be absolutely sure what the state law and agency policy allows and that they do not exceed those limitations |
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Term
| #11 – Identify the primary considerations for discontinuing a vehicle pursuit. |
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Definition
| • always the safety of the public and yourself |
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Term
| #12 – Identify alternatives to a continued vehicle pursuit. |
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Definition
• Aircraft involvement
• Investigate later (e.g., you know who the suspect is, you have vehicle license plate information); send officers to the residence of registered owner
• Suspect may come to you
• Termination techniques with additional training |
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