EVOC: Steer to the rear?

[MDEMT280]

Okay, so I don't know if this is the appropriate forum to toss out EVOC-related questions, but I don't want it to get burried waaaay down in the traffic section. :D

Has anyone here, in the course of their EVOC training, been taught or heard of the "steer to the rear" concept? I didn't learn it, but I've heard of it. The basic premise, as I was told, is two-fold:

1) If cross-traffic does pull in front of you, reaction time and braking distance means the vehicles will keep travelling for a bit, so you should steer TOWARDS the car, with the idea being that the car will continue, and you pass behind it.

2) If you are going to hit them, hit them on the rear, where it's less likely that a passenger will be sitting.

I'm on the fence with the idea. It's make sense, from a physics standpoint, but I can only imagine the first time that an emergency vehicle steers TOWARDS a vehicle that DID stop in time, plows full on into it, and kills someone... It's not going to go over well in the media or the courts.

Opinions?

[Darin]

so you should steer TOWARDS the car, with the idea being that the car will continue, and you pass behind it.

You'd be assuming way too much. Never assume the other driver knows what they are doing.



I've never heard of this before.

[webjeep]

For some inexplicable reason when people see an impending wreck they have a tendency to hit their brakes, even if though they could have avoided the wreck had they continued without braking. Were you to aim towards where you predicted the rear of the vehicle to be had it continued on its original course you may just successfuly complete the perfect t-bone.

Basically there is no right answer as to where to steer if you encounter cross traffic and determine that you will not be able to avoid it. Since it is impossible to predict what the other driver will do you are just guessing at best. This is one instance where anti lock brakes are not helpful as a skid may be the best option depending on the circumstances, but that is another level of driving that is not often addressed in standard EVOC.

Yes I have heard that theory, but it's really just a guessing game, and a little instinct. All I can say is to follow your gut if you are ever in that situation, calculate quickly, go with your first instinct and respond immediately.

[MDEMT280]

Thanks. With the size and characteristics of the vehicles we drive in the fire department, it's not going to end up pretty no matter how you slice it. I was really just curious as to whether this was a somewhat credible theory, or just the ramblings of a madman. :D

[Taxx]

Your EVOC sounds intense. In mine, they taught us to avoid the other vehicle.

[MDEMT280]

Your EVOC sounds intense. In mine, they taught us to avoid the other vehicle.

Obviously that's the preferred course of action, but stopping or swerving (without rolling) vehicles ranging from 5 tons to 30+ tons... well, it ain't as easy as it looks. :D

[tomahawk134]

...

[MDEMT280]

I have also heard this theory ... But to my knowledge it is NOT an demonstrated practice taught in Emergency Vehicle Operations

Which is why I will tend to stick to the way I was taught. The way I figure, if I do what I was trained to do, and things end poorly, the liability issues are probably better than if I start to make things up on the fly. :D

[tomahawk134]

...

[drummer-eman]

I think I understand what the kid is saying. Happened to me about 6 months ago on the 3-11 shift. I was north on a main 6 lane route and just finished emailing another officer. I come around a very mild left curve towards a 4 lane cross street with a traffic light. I thought it was green and I look up again and realize it was not in fact green but RED RED RED and there is a guy in a blue pick up looking at me like deer in headlights:eek: <<Kinda like that but worse. He came from right to left and I swerved right and if I did hit him, woulda been his left rear fender area. LUCKILY I swerved and breaked hard enough we didnt meet.
I was very uh pissed, upset, scared? I met with my Sgt and told him if a guy calls Pi$$ed off that a cop almost hit him, it was me. He never called...
P.S. no one knows about this but Sgt. so lets keep this between us ok???

[Hop]

I think someone was watching too much Days of Thunder. This is a Nascar thing, I've never learned it in the real world

[MDEMT280]

I think I understand what the kid is saying.

I hope that's being used as a term of endearment. :rolleyes:

[Darin]

I tried this steer to the rear thing tonight....on a possum.....:eek:



Guess what. It don't work!!!!!!!! RIP possum.....

[webjeep]

I tried this steer to the rear thing tonight....on a possum.....:eek:



Guess what. It don't work!!!!!!!! RIP possum.....

Possum Killer, PETA is gonna git you :-)

[Darin]

Possum Killer, PETA is gonna git you :-)

I don't think peta would even bother with a stoopid possum. :D