HOW TO DRIVE AND LIVE TO A RIPE OLD AGE

THE DRIVER TRAINING PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE SAFETY EDUCATIONAL CENTER AT CENTRAL MISSOURI STATE COLLEGE IN WARRENBURG, MISSOURI, WAS INVESTIGATED BY A REPORTER WHO HAD ONLY 4 MONTHS DRIVING EXPERIENCE. HE TOOK A MINI-VERSION OF THE COURSE, WHICH NORMALLY TAKES 10 WEEKS AND INCLUDES PERFECTING DRIVING SKILLS IN A SPECIAL AREA, AN INTRODUCTION TO FREEWAY DRIVING, 9 HOURS OF SIMULATOR TRAINING AND 10 HOURS OF MULTIMEDIA INSTRUCTION. THE REPORTER'S REACTION TO SIMULATOR DRIVING AND THE METHODS USED FOR DRIVER CORRECTIONS ARE DESCRIBED. THE DRIVER TRAINING CAR FOR THE 200 X 250 FOOT SKID PAN (WHICH IS PART OF THE 10-ACRE PRACTICE RANGE) IS EQUIPPED WITH A ROLL BAR, SLICK RACING TIRES AND TWO EXTRA BRAKE PEDALS FOR THE INSTRUCTORS USE IN CAUSING SKIDS, I.E., TO LOCK EITHER REAR OR FRONT WHEELS OR ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE SKID PAN IS AN ASPHALT PAVEMENT, COVERED WITH 2 COATS OF DRIVEWAY SEALER, AND WATERED DOWN FOR GREATER SLICKNESS. THE APPROACH TO THE SKID PAN IS MADE AT 25-30 MPH. DURING THE REPORTER'S FIRST PRACTICE SESSION, THE CAR SPUN AROUND VIOLENTLY, BUT IN SUBSEQUENT TRIALS, BOTH DRIVER CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS IMPROVED. THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVING RANGE INCLUDED NARROW LANES, ROLLING HILLS, AND FIGURE 8 TURNS. THE MULTIMEDIA CLASS SHOWED FILMS OF FAMILY REACTIONS TO THE FATHER'S DRIVING AND CONDUCTED PANEL DISCUSSIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DRIVER ATTITUDES. IN ADDITION TO CLASSROOM WORK, SIMULATOR DRIVING AND DRIVING RANGE PRACTICE, STUDENTS ARE GIVEN INDIVIDUALLY PRESCRIBED INSTRUCTION IF REQUIRED. THE CENTER'S PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING SERVICES FOR DRIVER EDUCATION TEACHERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AS WELL AS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, WORKSHOPS ARE HELD FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. ALSO THE SCHOOL OFFERS 23 BASIC COURSES AND 23 ADVANCED COURSES FOR DRIVER AND SAFETY EDUCATION. AT PRESENT, THE CENTER HAS 300 UNDERGRADUATES PREPARING AS MAJORS OR MINORS IN THE FIELD OF DRIVER AND SAFETY EDUCATION AND 160 GRADUATE STUDENTS; IT OFFERS BOTH BACHELOR'S AND MASTER'S DEGREES.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • pp 6-10, 10 PHOT
  • Corporate Authors:

    Globe-democrat Sunday Magazine

    ,    
  • Authors:
    • Althoff, S
  • Publication Date: 1970-1-11

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00220724
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Apr 13 1970 12:00AM