Cape Town’s Advanced Smart Driver Skidpan Training Program

The City of Cape Town’s Fleet Management, Environmental Management, and Safety and Security Departments have collaborated to launch an advanced Smart Driver skidpan training program. The program aims to improve the safety of response vehicle drivers and other road users. The training will take place at the Killarney Skidpan track on the 11th, 19th, 20th, and 22nd of June 2023, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Targeting Emergency Response and Pursuit Drivers

The program targets the City’s fleet drivers involved in emergency response and pursuit driving, as well as staff responsible for the formulation of vehicle specifications and procurement. The training aims to equip the drivers with the necessary skills to proactively minimize risks and accidents, considering that the dynamics of driving dramatically intensify during pursuits and responses.

Comprehensive Skidpan Training

The comprehensive skidpan training covers various aspects of vehicle handling, including understanding the causes and dynamics of a car skid, implementing emergency braking techniques, executing emergency lane changes to avoid collisions, correcting a skid, performing reverse turns, conducting emergency brake turns, and steering techniques while entering corners. Participants will apply these emergency braking and advanced driving techniques effectively in their response and pursuit activities under expert supervision and controlled circumstances.

Thoroughly Addresses Forces, Vehicle Dynamics, and Physics

The Smart Driver Training thoroughly addresses forces, vehicle dynamics, and physics, while also emphasizing the importance of time management. The curriculum delves into perception, reaction, and actuation times in relation to velocity and stopping distance.

Positive Feedback from the City’s Mayoral Committee Member

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys, participated in the first training session and shared her enthusiastic views on the program. She confidently stated that the drivers would undoubtedly benefit from this opportunity, emerging as more skilled and safer drivers. The training lays the groundwork for understanding forces, physics, and dynamics, ultimately empowering drivers to navigate the complex driving situations they may encounter in their line of work.

Commitment to Enhancing Safety and Skills

The City of Cape Town’s commitment to enhancing the safety and skills of its response vehicle drivers is exemplified through the Smart Driver skidpan training program. This initiative not only helps ensure the safety of the drivers themselves but also contributes to a safer environment for all road users.

Setting an Example for Other Cities

Through a mix of practical experience and theoretical knowledge, the Smart Driver skidpan training paves the way for a safer and better-prepared fleet of drivers, ready to face the challenges of their vital roles. The City of Cape Town sets an example for other cities to follow in prioritizing the safety and well-being of their emergency and pursuit response personnel.