Driving

[DarkKnight0101]

Hello, I'm nearing the end of my FTO and I was given an 2 week extension of training. One of the main reasons given was because of my driving. I was told that I am a "late braker" and I wait WAY too long to apply the brake fully.

My FTO told me that when I run hot I do just fine and she saw no issues there, just when driving around during regular patrol. I'm concerned that if I continue with this problem I will be let go.

My question, do any of you have any helpful tips or advice on how to correct this problem, besides the obvious statement "Use the brake sooner dummy!" ?

Thank you, much appreciated.

[Taz_bb2]

Use the BRAKE sooner dummy. ;):D

You drive it like you stole it when its YOURS. Otherwise, pretend like you are 15 and you are driving with your mom for the first time.

Good luck!

[retdetsgt]

More cops get career ending injuries in car wrecks than get shot or other on duty incidents. You might keep that in mind. Your FTO is concerned about what you'll do after she's no longer in the car and you're by yourself.

It was pounded into my head that I would not only be no good to anyone racing to a scene if I crash, I could use up otherwise needed resources in that wreck.

Let your brain run your body and not the adrenaline, seriously.

[Samuel]

Hello, I'm nearing the end of my FTO and I was given an 2 week extension of training. One of the main reasons given was because of my driving. I was told that I am a "late braker" and I wait WAY too long to apply the brake fully.

My FTO told me that when I run hot I do just fine and she saw no issues there, just when driving around during regular patrol. I'm concerned that if I continue with this problem I will be let go.

My question, do any of you have any helpful tips or advice on how to correct this problem, besides the obvious statement "Use the brake sooner dummy!" ?

Thank you, much appreciated.

I'm kinda puzzled:

1. That the correct spelling of brake hasn't already come up sometime during your FTO period, and

2. That there might be other solutions to a "late braking problem" OTHER than simply applying the brakes earlier...

I'm surprised that "priority" driving hasn't exacerbated your late braking "problem" - how about applying whatever you're doing differently during "priority" driving to "regular" driving?

:confused:

[SnapShawt]

Start applying the brakes sooner and more appropriately. Problem solved. Yes, you WILL be let go if you don't get a handle on it. An agency isn't going to cut you loose being a threat to their insurance rate and unsafe for the general public.

Another suggestion, if you haven't, is to have your vision tested (if they didn't during the medical, which is standard most everywhere I know). Maybe something is wrong with your depth perception? Vision tests don't always catch that as there is special testing for it. It can be corrected.

[DarkKnight0101]

Yes, my Lt. and Sgt. both said that officer safety and driving problems are the main reasons they have to let someone go during FTO. My Sgt did suggest getting my eyes checked so I do plan on setting up an appointment here as soon as possible.

Thanks again.

[txinvestigator1]

How old are you? What type of driver training have you received?

[DarkKnight0101]

I'm 23, and I took drivers training when I was 15 before I received my license at age 16. In the police academy we also had a driving course we needed to pass.

[BP348]

Now that you know what the problem is. Work to fix it. Take your foot off the gas sooner and put it on the brake. Start looking ahead of you. If you know your comming up on a light that's been green for a while then you should know it's going to change soon & start slowing down. Same for a stop sign don't race up on it, you know it's there. You have 8 hours to patrol your area, are you really in that big of a hurry to get anywhere?

Hate to say it but, "start breaking sooner dummy" is about the best anyone can say. ;)

[MRBEST]

Now that you know what the problem is. Work to fix it. Take your foot off the gas sooner and put it on the brake. Start looking ahead of you. If you know your comming up on a light that's been green for a while then you should know it's going to change soon & start slowing down. Same for a stop sign don't race up on it, you know it's there. You have 8 hours to patrol your area, are you really in that big of a hurry to get anywhere?

Hate to say it but, "start breaking sooner dummy" is about the best anyone can say. ;)

The part in bold will probably be the most helpful to you.
Like BP said above, start looking ahead instead of waiting to react.
Plan for a red light, a stop sign, a car slowing down, etc.

[pac201]

just a thought, when I conduct an interview for a prospective employee, I really like to have the person drive me around. There is a wealth of information gleaned from watching-being in the same car with someone while they drive. Personality, aggressiveness, timidity-unwilling to commit...sounds like your FTO is not comfortable with your discomfort driving. As so many have said, the problem has been recognized, work on correcting it. Good luck.

[DarkKnight0101]

Thanks all.

The past two shifts have been better. My FTO said there weren't any problems with my driving. I have been applying the "brake sooner dummy" philosophy along with looking further ahead.

I'm also pretending or thinking, the road is icy and slippery, where would I want to start braking to avoid sliding into a car, or through the intersection. So that has been helping me quite a bit as well.