DriveSafe Question & Answers: Q: How many people will be on one course? A: Each two-hour course is limited to just five participants to ensure that there is plenty of opportunity to gain practical experience. Each person is assigned a qualified instructor who will provide one-to-one tuition during the wet grip session. Q: Why is Rockingham's course unique? A: Rockingham is the only UK venue where motorists can learn accident avoidance methods and develop potential life-saving skills in their OWN car in a safe and controlled environment. Q: What is the Wet Grip? A: Rockingham has invested £1.5 million into a state-of-the-art Wet Grip facility, which was been designed to meet driver training standards. It is the only facility in the UK that combines the use of water walls and a kick plate function. The facility can simulate a variety of extreme driving conditions including ice, rain and wet leaves. These different road conditions are simulated at much slower speeds than in normal driving, which is perfect for learning how to cope with dangerous situations safely. Q: What is the Kick Plate and what does it do? A. The hydraulic kick plate is a metal plate, 3m by 2.3m in size, which is set into the ground. As a vehicle crosses it at speeds of between 15 and 30 mph, sensors in the ground are triggered and a hydraulic piston below the surface of the plate creates a ‘kick’ movement. The rear of the vehicle then swerves, causing it to start skidding. The kick plate makes it possible to simulate at low speeds what could happen in a real-life situation at much higher speeds, testing the driver’s reactions to the full. Q: Will my car be damaged? A. Whilst it is never possible to guarantee, damage is extremely unlikely and one of our major design requirements was that the facility should be as vehicle friendly as possible. It is expected, however, all vehicles used, will be in a good, general state of repair and free of known faults. Included in the course is a visual vehicle check, intended to help spot simple problems, but this is NOT a detailed mechanical assessment and should not be relied upon to establish a vehicles suitability.
Q: Is it safe? A. This course epitomises safety which is absolute paramount in the running of DriveSafe. Listed below are just some of the ways in which we prioritise safety:
Q: Why should I enrol on a DriveSafe course? A: It is estimated around 60 per cent of all fatal road accidents are caused after a vehicle has begun to skid, yet few drivers know how to regain control safely once grip has been lost. DriveSafe is designed to teach individual drivers to prepare for the unexpected. DriveSafe allows you to take your own vehicle on to the Wet Grip area, where instructors will advise on how to cope with changing levels of grip on different surfaces, as well as the impact of wet and winter driving conditions. The course is aimed at people of all driving abilities to help them better understand their own vehicle’s capabilities so that they can respond more effectively to a potential emergency situation. We employ engaging, enjoyable teaching methods, because if it’s fun, you won’t forget it. Together with the use of straightforward but informative language, however non-technical you may think you are, you won’t struggle to remember these vital skills. Q: What does the course Involve? A: The two-hour course consists of two one-hour sessions – theory and practical. The course begins with the theory session in one of Rockingham’s training suites that offer panoramic views of the circuit. We explain how and why cars stay on the road and help you to recognize any possible defects. We also provide them with the opportunity to gain an understanding of vehicle stability systems and driver aids, such as Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), Traction Control, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and how these work to supplement the driver’s own skills. It's then time to put theory into practice; you will be introduced to your instructor and after completing your visual checks, its out, onto the wet grip We fully appreciate the need to explain at different levels, dependent upon the participant’s knowledge, and provide an information pack, to take with you, that will give both, more information on many of the subjects covered and simple bullet points to remind you of what you have already learned.
Q: My car is nearly new; it has all the electronic stability systems currently available, how will I benefit from your course? A. Safety aids have revolutionised modern vehicles, however inappropriate speed when trying to stop or steer can still contribute towards a potentially dangerous situation, with or without electronic assistance. Vehicles fitted with such equipment still require a certain driver-response to emergency situations, which DriveSafe covers. Q: Will I be covered by my own car insurance? A: The DriveSafe Terms & Conditions state drivers undertake the activity at their own risk; and as such you may wish to inform your insurers of the course. However the activity is conducted in a safe and controlled environment at between 20–30 mph. At all times you will be accompanied by a qualified instructor and will receive one-to-one instruction. Rockingham cannot be held responsible for any incident caused by the driver’s own doing, however if the vehicle is damaged as a result of a fault with the wet grip, the vehicle would be covered by Rockingham’s public liability insurance. Q: Why do I need to use my own car? A: We encourage the use of your own car so in a real-life emergency you know exactly what to do and how your car will react, saving split-seconds which could be vital in a potential accident situation. Q: What do I need to bring? A: You will need to produce your full UK Driving Licence, and the vehicle’s MOT certificate and motor insurance policy. Q: What qualification will I receive at the end of the course? A: You will receive a certificate at the end of the course stating you have attended DriveSafe. |