NCJ Number
53186
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 26 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1978) Pages: 76-84
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE RESULTS OF AN EXPERIMENT USING THE GENERAL MOTORS DRIVER TRAINING PROGRAM IN THE OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH., SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ARE REPORTED, AND THE DRIVER TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PHOENIX, ARIZ., POLICE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IT IS NOTED THAT POLICE CAR ACCIDENTS ARE A GROWING PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE NATION. IN AN EFFORT TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH., SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATED IN AN EXPERIMENT USING A DRIVER'S TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE PROGRAM DEVELOPED FROM RESEARCH INDICATING THAT THE DRIVER IS THE MAJOR ELEMENT IN CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THE OAKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SELECTED 60 OFFICERS WITH SIMILAR BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCE AND SPLIT THEM INTO TWO GROUPS. THE CONTROL GROUP RECEIVED NO TRAINING; THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP RECEIVED AN 8-HOUR GENERAL MOTORS COURSE. THE COURSE INVOLVED INSTRUCTION AND DEMONSTRATIONS, FOLLOWED BY STUDENT PRACTICE IN STEERING, TAKING EVASIVE ACTION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, AND BRAKING. EACH ELEMENT OF THE COURSE IS DESCRIBED. BY THE END OF 3 YEARS AFTER THE TRAINING IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRAINED GROUP HAD EXPERIENCED ONLY 5 ACCIDENTS, WHILE THE CONTROL GROUP HAD 10. THE PHOENIX, ARIZ., POLICE DEPARTMENT MODIFIED THE GENERAL MOTORS PROGRAM TO MEET ITS OWN NEEDS. SINCE NEARLY 80 PERCENT OF ALL POLICE CAR ACCIDENTS IN PHOENIX HAVE INVOLVED IMPROPER BACKING, THE TRAINING COURSE PLACES EMPHASIS ON BACKING, SIMULATING ACTUAL FIELD SITUATIONS. NEW RECRUITS MUST QUALIFY ON THE COURSE BEFORE THEY ARE SWORN IN AS OFFICERS. ELEMENTS OF THE DRIVING COURSE ARE DESCRIBED. IT IS NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS JUDGED TO BE THE OFFICER'S FAULT HAVE DROPPED 10 TO 20 PERCENT SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COURSE. SOME ADVICE ON DRIVING HABITS IS OFFERED, AND INFORMATION IS GIVEN ABOUT WHOM TO CONTACT FOR INQUIRIES ABOUT THE PROGRAMS DESCRIBED.