LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS CENTER
ALTERNATIVE TO DISCIPLINE DRIVING PROGRAM
A. Registration and orientation, objective of class
1. Prepare class and POST roster.
2. Course overview.
B. Round table discussion
1. Discussion regarding each student’s collisions and causes.
C. Basic driving principles refresher
1. Refresher of vehicle dynamics, vehicle controls and Code-3 driving.
D. Explanation of driver exercises listed below.
A. Collision avoidance exercise
1. This exercise utilizes three parallel lanes of travel, each controlled by a traffic signal. As the student approaches the signals, the student must drive the vehicle into the green light lane, avoiding the two red-light lanes.
2. This exercise is used to train the student to employ proper vehicle control in response to a potential emergency in lieu of a "panic" stop.
3. The exercise expresses quick steering maneuvers, proper use of vehicle weight transfer and correct braking applications are stressed.
4. The students will be driving at 35 mph during this exercise.
B. Reverse driving exercise
1. The student will maneuver a vehicle at varying speeds through a series of
turns and straight-always in reverse movements varying the speed between 20 and 30 miles per hour. This exercise simulates how to quickly exit an ambush situation.
2. The exercise is used to teach vehicle control in reverse driving through coordination of throttle, steering, and braking.
C. Turn around exercise
1. The student will demonstrate three basic ways (Three-Point Turnaround, Modified Bootleg, Bootleg) to turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction quickly and safely.
2. While backing, the student will demonstrate maintaining constant visual awareness of objects to the rear and sides until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
3. The student will demonstrate reverse steering (sometimes referred to as “reverse rolling friction”) technique.
III. Driving Exercise
A. High Speed Emergency Response Course
1. The student will operate a vehicle around a two-mile operational driving course, complete with maneuvering problems and interfering instructor-driven patrol vehicles under "Code 3" emergency conditions. The interference patrol vehicles are used to help the student identify tunnel vision and siren syndrome. The interference patrol vehicles are used to simulate vehicle traffic at intersections. The interference patrol vehicle is driven by an EVOC instructor. The interference patrol vehicle is driven Code 3 towards an intersection at a 90 degree angle, which will place the interference patrol vehicle into the student driver’s crossing path. The interference patrol vehicle will come to a stop prior to the limit line. The student driver is expected to stop, make eye contact with the interference patrol vehicle’s driver and proceed through the intersection with caution. The exercise is designed to enhance the student’s high visual horizon.
2. This exercise enables the student to apply everything they have learned to see how they react while driving Code 3 under controlled conditions.
3. This exercise serves to illustrate both driver and vehicle limitations in a variety of driving situations and the stresses involved.
IV. Classroom Presentation, after the morning exercises
A. Legal Aspects & Issues of Emergency Driving
1. The student will understand specific California statutes, Code-3 driving tactics, and case law.
2. Vehicle Code
a. 17001 C.V.C.
b. 17004 C.V.C.
c. 21055 C.V.C.
d. 21056 C.V.C.
e. 21806/21807 C.V.C.
f. 22350 C.V.C.
g. 17004.7 C.V.C.
h. 21052 C.V.C
i. 201057 C.V.C
3. Section 13519.8 Penal Code
a. Mandates minimum standards for agency pursuit policy
b. Mandates minimum training standards for pursuit training
4. Section 669 Evidence Code, mandates the more restricted be followed (Law vs. Policy)
5. Discuss policy compliance
6. Willful violation of LASD policy could be viewed as negligence per se
V. Program Overview, Critique, and Remediation
A. Recap the day events
1. Answer last minute questions