Be a Better Driver: THE #1 Performance Driving Tip

[@09ajtorres]

TOMMY! I was just now in a clinic waiting room, got the notification for this video, and figured I'd have time to watch it. When I left, not even 60 seconds after I pulled out of the parking lot, a car jumped right in front of me and I had to look to my left to serve out of the way! I think I probably would have been in an accident had I not watched your video. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY!

[@wibble1999]

well said and glad your ok mate

[@matthewellisor5835]

I like the correlation to 'threat-focus vs. sight-focus' Thanks.

[@LawEnforcementExplains]

Hey partner here’s a video topic to consider. You should do one on the tunnel vision a newer and sometimes a OG cop gets during a police pursuit. Stay safe brother.

[@The_SmorgMan]

Law Enforcement Explains Tunnel vision, and stress inoculation has sometimes been a very uncomfortable learning experience for me. Super important though!

[@LawEnforcementExplains]

The SmorgMan I remember the first pursuit I was involved in I had tunnel vision. Luckily nothing bad happened from it but I could see how having tunnel vision can be a very bad thing.

[@brentrockwood]

When I was first learning to skydive, this was one of the big tests. The jumpmaster would hold up various hand signals as you were coming out of the plane, and they would ask you what they were during the debrief so they could judge your level of situational awareness.

[@LawEnforcementExplains]

Brent Rockwood Damn skydiving! You have to have a lot of heart to do that. I always wanted to try it, but I think It’s little safer being a cop lol.

[@brentrockwood]

Same as anything. Military, Law Enforcement, whatever. The point is to build that muscle memory so when the adrenaline comes, you can still do the job. I always joke to my wife, "I'll have time to be scared later." :)

[@gunfumaster1024]

The concept of keeping an eye on where you want to go kind of reminded me of the closest time I've ever been in an accident. I was driving (admittedly faster than I should have been) in some horribly thick fog on a highway, and one of the cars decided to rip their brakes right in front of me since there was some incident with a semi truck. Almost right away I'm like "okay there's a wide shoulder on the road, I'm just gonna stomp the brakes and swerve to there if I don't make it." Sure enough I was not able to brake in time to avoid hitting the car in front of me if I were to just go straight but I was able to swerve to the shoulder just in time. I didn't think I was focused on the car in front of me, I feel like I was mostly focusing on how to get the car to that shoulder. The worst part of this situation was the fact my mom was in the front passenger seat and the fact that we were supposed to sell the car we were driving...

[@brentrockwood]

This is exactly the same advice good driving instructors give. In addition, many new drivers have a tendency to look at what is directly in front of the car. As speeds increase, it is important to look further ahead which gives your brain more time to prepare for what is coming up.

[@freefieldtraining]

An excellent point. Lots of people never even use the side glass on the car.

[@The_SmorgMan]

Good point, make time your friend not your enemy

[@skip123davis]

truer words were never spoken. i was offroad going downhill on a tough trail in a 4x4 when suddenly there was a huge fir tree right in the middle of the trail, with a cliff behind that. the trail went 90 degrees left, and as imposing as that tree was i KNEW i had to focus on the left or i'd slam into the tree. same thing happens on motorcycles: if you look at the huge pothole, you'll absolutely hit it! sometimes on a bike you have to look where you want to go and hammer the throttle (instead of braking) just to come out of it with your own skin.

[@BadassMindset]

Good advice. You in essence create a new target by focusing on something other than the obstacle. I'm always driving around potholes, scooting over a lane (or at least some distance) for pedestrians, bikes, & motorcycles, scanning cross traffic at intersections, & looking ahead & in my mirrors for vehicles or anything else.

[@matthewellisor5835]

Perfect! That's how I've been taught and how I teach. Next one, please add "Look where you want the car to go in 100m, in 250m, in 500m, in 1000m." _THEN_ you'll be driving. Anything else is just hanging onto the steering wheel and wiggling your feet.

[@freefieldtraining]

I was planning on "drive the car like you drive a motorcycle: scan ahead" it's a work in progress.

[@matthewellisor5835]

@@freefieldtraining I can't wait. The 'scan ahead' didn't stick well for me (in my very limited training) That's why I liked 'drive a mile ahead' from my last trainer. Just the idea of planning for 40-90 seconds down the road. Not to toot my own horn but I've passed Apex corner, J-Turn, PIT, ellipsis. That's a bunch of just showoff most of the time. This, it's is WAY more important! Again, thanks!

[@nopopshots2722]

A personal story related to this topic ( have footage if interested) I work 2300 - 0700 and work 50 minutes from my house. At the time of the incident it was approx. 2245 with light traffic. I was traveling to work. The road that comes off the highway to take people into the city is a 4 lane road (2 up, 2 down) and it sports a blind bend that is sharp. At the apex of the bend is a stop light that allows the crossing road to cross safely. As I was rounding the bend, my light was green and there were no cars at the cross waiting so I continued through holding my speed (about 45mph). As I was about 15 yards from the intersection, a car had appeared at the cross road. They were traveling right to left, making a right hand turn onto the street I was on traveling the direction I was traveling. They hesitated at first slowing down to maybe 10mph and then gunning it out in front of me. I ALWAYS check my side lanes in case I need to shift lanes, so I quick checked that the left hand lane was still empty then I squeezed the break hard and shifted my car to the left hand lane. The car who pulled out then decided it was best to quickly get into the left hand lane, so I then had to swerve right to avoid hitting the individual for a second time. There was oncoming traffic or I would had simply swerved to the oncoming lanes.

[@supersmashbrosevil]

In my country if I don't want to be looking directly into the potholes I have to look up to the sky hahaha 😞

[@Archangelm127]

Do you live in Massachusetts, too? ;)

[@jacquelynblevins7743]

This was the biggest take away I had from EVOC, it’s made me a much better driver since. I wish there was a practical way to at least incorporate some aspects of the training into standard driver’s training classes. Thanks for sharing!

[@jonathanmetelski7428]

I love this video i happen to be someone with a little bit of a lead foot and have driven my heads cam gto north of 150 a few times and that advice is spot on especially at super high rates of speed where fractions of a second can be the difference between life and death something i learned a few years back when i put my ws6 trans am into a highway devider at 140mph!!!!!! But an additional piece of advice would be take your car to a track it dosent matter if you have a ZR1 corvette or a prius understand the limits of yiur vehicle how fast you can enter a turn how long it takes you to break especially after a few hard stops and you start getting break fade. The limits of your tires in turns how hard you can turn before they break free because it is diffrent in every car the only way for you to know is experence it yourself in the safest way possible

[@freefieldtraining]

I had a harrowing experience back when we first got the 07 impalas at work. Touted as "the fastest production police car" they were far faster than their brakes and stock tires were made for. First pursuit I was in I looked down and realized I was at 137mph...i *gently* kissed the brake with my toe and the back end squirled out. I had to drive past the pursuit and wait for it to catch back up. Lol. Fun times.

[@Mitchellpilot909]

I'm also a truck driver. Been OTR for last 7 years. I'm working on getting things in order so I can attend the police academy. The transition is going to be tough since my truck is my home, but I am committed.

[@armadillerff]

Number 1 most important thing to do while riding a motorcycle! It is super counterintuitive and something you have to really practice until it becomes muscle memory/habit

[@countryheathen1834]

Great idea for a topic see as most ppl drive and in a fast paced world and every one is in a hurry to get somewhere these vids could help. hell ill take notes and apply them when I'm driving some of the back roads with less traffic

[@raphaelbeinhauer9242]

Exactly how I was taught. I will add to not looks at the line when in a tight lane, but rather about 1/3 of your lane to the right of it. And of course always scan the road as far as you can see.

[@nixchick20]

Thank you for these videos!

[@762influencer9]

“This road isn’t in the best shape” >Describes 95% of my roads

[@viatorem9177]

"Focus on where you want to go, not what you don't want to kill you" - The first thing that I was taught in my MSF (motorcycle safety) course. If you look directly at the shoulder of the road around the curve, guess where you're going. If you stare at the car cutting you off, guess who you're about to be sitting next to in said car.

[@jo12t]

Great video i feel like everyone no mater what profession can learn from this.

[@RitzyBusiness]

Having situational awareness is extremely important, and being able to make a decision to mitigate or evade on the dime is what could be the difference between no accident, an accident where no one is seriously hurt, and one where people perish or are seriously injured. Of course shit happens, its life and no one is perfect. Often times the difference comes down to luck, since we all fuck up from time to time. Just no one is there to notice and no accident occurs. Humans in general are just inconsistent drivers.

[@Najiki]

Great video! For my job we have to watch some videos on defensive driving which talk about a similar topic, looking ahead for upcoming obstacles! I wonder if you’ve heard of the Smith System 5 Keys of Defensive Driving. They didn’t mention how to react in the case of something surprising you so I’m glad I watched your video!

[@wibble1999]

I was taught by a UK class one police driver he taught me well. im 57 now. not many accidents in 37 years but i can say when I have....or a close call....its been my fault for not listening to what Arthur taught me. I do recall one thing he said about observation and not assuming if a car indicates just accepting hes gonna turn...." its no good saying as they nail the lid on your coffin it wasn't my fault " treat every other driver as an idiot. 5 months ago a car stopped dead in the middle lane on m65. 70mph and she stopped the car (husband told ger to stop car if engine warning light came on apparently) and i had to change lanes rapidly. if i hadn't pulled my line of sight to my exit id have had problems ( due to lack of foresight again) look where your going works!!!!

[@Anon62796]

Another helpful video. Thanks!

[@afroman5531]

I do really like this, please do keep this up

[@billgates5201]

Maybe a video on how to control tunnel vision and gather thoughts and use tactical breathing etc? Got into a fight on my shift a week ago and realized how hard it is to fight and use effective radio communication to get a location out etc.

[@Brandonx-nb7rv]

I’m in the academy now. Tomorrow is the last day of driver’s training. It is fun, but honestly it is too stressful to be fun. Knowing that if I mess up and fail, I am out of the class and loose my job. Pretty stressful knowing I could screw up just a little in one class, and come Monday I’ll be jobless.

[@freefieldtraining]

Nah, just have fun. The tests are made to be passed if you follow directions. Just don't crash :-p

[@wallyj1387]

From what you've said i think safe motorcycle riders are the best car drivers because they do all this when riding

[@freefieldtraining]

The good ones are, they have to be in order to survive a drive to the corner store.

[@scowler92]

MORE DRIVING TIPS! Not nearly enough of that on KZbin.

[@seandertinger4922]

Love the video i would want more in deth

[@TierTalk]

What is up brother. Looking good

[@tevinsmith8253]

I drive semis and I didn't even realize it but I already do that without thinking

[@guiguitopereira]

Really really good video. I'd suggest you to teach some techniques to outwit someone that you believe to be pursuing you. Thanks in advance.

[@The_SmorgMan]

Thanks for the video, they didn’t cover this at evoc.

[@bkang0179]

Cool, I’m in Basic law enforcement training in N.C. We have driving training in a couple weeks

[@92ft30]

did you pass?

[@cheetothealmighty]

Let's see more!

[@sgngffgfgg]

Sir, would you please do a video on the position of your radio microphone on your body? I cannot find a good spot to place it when I wear a tie and must answer the telephone. One time, the telephone depressed the emergency button on my radio when I took a phone call and it scared me.

[@Dark_Nemesis4300]

How to be a better driver, he says, taking both hands off of the steering wheel to illustrate "ten" :) Made me smile. Great advice though.

[@freefieldtraining]

I said "better" not "perfect". Nobody is perfect.

[@Dark_Nemesis4300]

Mate, I meant it in a jokey way. What you say about looking where you're going is exactly right. I am a Class 1 Police Advanced Driver here in the UK, and what you say is important. Don't take offence. Here, we do all of our high-speed training on the roads, and only get to be advanced drivers after around 11 weeks of training, in three courses. Basic, Standard and Advanced. We follow what is known as the System of Car Control Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Accelerate. The three key attributes that I would suggest make a good police driver are smoothness, observation and anticipation.

[@freefieldtraining]

Oh, I've got thicker skin than that. I wish we had the driver training program in the states that you folks do. Lots of our guys have to "learn by doing" which is less than ideal.

[@Dark_Nemesis4300]

When I visited the FBI Academy in Quantico, they couldn't believe we trained on the road! "Don't you guys use a track?" they said. We are lucky to get the amount of training that we do. On top of those courses that I mentioned, there is another 3 week course for VIP protective driving, and another 6 week course on top to be a driving instructor, as well as lots of specialist courses such as surveillance, off-road and so on.

[@freefieldtraining]

We (I shit you not) use an abandoned airfield.

[@MrJRod891]

Also when you swerve and damage your car or someone else's car, you'll be held liable. Say if you swerve to avoid hitting a deer and crash your car. Your insurance won't cover it. At least with Allstate. I was told to just hit and they'll pay for the damages or get a new car if it's totaled.

[@wowthatsgreat4870]

cvt dosent chose for you persay, it is a continuous trans , belts that that xhange length to increase or decrease the cars final final gear ratio. basically it has infinite # of gears, not a changing ratio, good videos man !

[@freefieldtraining]

My understanding is that is a band and drums that change the ratio to match the torque to what you are asking the car to do. I'm no engineer though.

[@wowthatsgreat4870]

@@freefieldtraining it's the belts that change to my understanding, not the gears. but i only know based on a few examples , looking at Google search " does cvt change gear ratios?' it says that the belts do " increasing or decreasing" and thats what picks the " final drive ratio. " but pretty much I think what u said is acceptable, or if anyone asks questions you can say just know cvt always is in the right gear , it's a real weird thing I've been inside 2 cvt civic trans, they are not fun to work on .

[@freefieldtraining]

I dumped my Ford 500 before I had to deal with the cvt at all. Changing a clutch is about the limits of my wrenching. Even then, doing a front driver clutch is going to be a new experience for me when that comes up.

[@AWDfreak]

A CVT has an infinite range of ratios between the minimum and maximum ratio range. Most modern CVT's utilized in passenger cars have conical assemblies that change ratio with a belt or flat chain by altering the diameter in which they contact the chain or belt, effectively changing ratio. Some CVT's have a low mode, while other CVT's offer some sort of manual control with fake gears to improve downhill safety and vehicle control. One of the issues with these transmissions utilize than Passenger cars is that some of them will overheat relatively quickly under Pursuit-type driving. As far as I'm aware, a very large auxiliary transmission cooler may really be the only way to overcome this. Another disadvantage is some high torque engines may overcome certain CVT's torque capacities.

[@freefieldtraining]

This I can attest to. Cvt + pursuit = repair bills. Thankfully it was a seizure car.

[@snakebite961]

How about j turns?

[@nosskopajtas]

keep'em comin' rgds from hungary

[@RealShipmate]

"Now do it driving backwards." That's pretty much the worst thing a DI can say to you during the vehicle operation course (besides "you murdered that family if six your recycled.") Da fuck? If I wanted to drift away and drive backwards all day I would have worked for CHP.

[@frondaro]

MOAR PLS

[@pedroduarte4273]

Boils down to attention attention attention. The other day, I’m in the left lane behind a hog, I switch to the middle lane to pass- there is a car ahead of me in the middle lane and a gap to pass. As I enter the middle lane to pass, the unruly hog in the left lane accelerates to close the gap as I am already too deep into the power band to stop and not read end the driver ahead. Being attentive, I trust my car and floor it, knowing my car out competes his. All these decisions are made in split seconds. Had I freaked out and looked at the car ahead instead, I would have crashed. Any deficit of attention, and I would have misread the gap and read ended the driver ahead. If you are going to drive fast, you need to be hyper attentive and observant of space, position and the capabilities of your car. If you don’t, you will crash and you will hurt people. If you are easily distracted, do not drive fast. Period.

[@frondaro]

tactical sign language, or just sign language in general,

[@marcoromomoreno5628]

Great video Sir! I'd like you to do one of a biker please, greetings.

[@jerrychristensen9219]

What about SHUFFLE STERRING ?

[@freefieldtraining]

Not practical. You can't shuffle steer while talking on the radio and operating the siren.

[@jerrychristensen9219]

@@freefieldtraining well that what we did on road course no hand over hand on the academy I'm in training now well good to know thanks !!

[@freefieldtraining]

And you will likely never use it again. Kind of like saying to always keep your hands at 3 and 9, great in theory but 12-16 hrs a day while doing ten other things... Just not practical.

[@malaihiboi]

Just like surfing

[@daviddebergh254]

Stopped watching you because I am truck driving now. Started watching you back up because I realized that money isn't everything and I want to become a police officer to help others rather then make a lot of money and die with no purpose fulfilled in life. Stay safe man.

[@freefieldtraining]

Sounds familiar

[@graydonsharp5165]

Hey. Its just like mountain biking.

[@The-Homecook-0000]

Evoc training....control breaking....I no the routine...

[@rgeneral01]

You should keep both hands on the wheel Sir 😂

[@freefieldtraining]

You of all people should appreciate needing one hand free to eat.

[@MrUC53]

Just like becoming a motorcyclist.

[@judahmac1799]

FIRST!!!!!!!