SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES NEW ADVANCED DRIVING COURSE

SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES NEW ADVANCED DRIVING COURSE

Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson announced Thursday afternoon the launching of a new, advanced driving course featuring the latest technology for emergency vehicle drivers nationwide. The Sheriff’s Office is teaming with race car and driving instructor legend Terry Earwood and Daytona State College to offer this one-of-a-kind, 16-hour, two-day course. With shootings and vehicle accidents being the top two potentially fatal situations law enforcement officers face, this driving training is all about saving lives.

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The class will be open to all law enforcement and military emergency vehicle operators. It’s designed to literally “tune up” current drivers as well as driving instructors and introduces not only new technology, but also offers a more technical look at what is taught and how it’s taught. The course will maximize time in the driver’s seat and minimize classroom time. Those who complete the course will receive an “Emergency Vehicle Operator Master” certificate through Daytona State College.

Sheriff Johnson asked Earwood, a former Skip Barber Chief Instructor, to bring his more than 30 years of advanced training and high performance background to this special course. Not only is Earwood well known in professional racing circles, he founded the first ever Police Pursuit Course in Florida in 1972, and designed the Georgia State Patrol curriculum in 1973. He has worked with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s driver training staff for the past eight years on a volunteer basis.

“Through my 26 years at Skip Barber, we have developed the latest in car control techniques that we now apply to our teen classes, racing schools, high performance schools and anti-terrorist programs,” Earwood said. “Now, with the discovery of a brand new product called Easydrift, we can simulate skid pads and off road recovery virtually anywhere, and at lower, safer speeds.”

Easydrift was developed by a French race car driver, and actually mounts over the rear tires of a vehicle, enabling it to ‘slide’ at low speeds, but retaining enough grip to still store up ‘spring energy’ in the car, which is usually the culprit of ‘over-correction’. Drivers will be able to train in both front and rear drive in the same maneuvers.

Classes will be limited to 18 participants to maximize driving time, especially with the new Easydrift techniques. Earwood will be assisted by the Sheriff’s Office’s training staff and three additional Skip Barber instructors.

“There just isn’t enough skid training out there,” Sheriff Johnson said. “This is the one area where we can really work on car feel, second reactions, off road recovery, proper vision and proper split-second decisions. With Terry’s background in all facets of driving, racing, and training we are excited to offer this new school and to bring our driving and teaching to the next level.”

Reservations are now being taken for Oct 11th and 12th, 2010, classes to be held at the Volusia County Sheriffs Department driving facility in DeLand, on SR 44. For more information please contact Vicki Held at the Volusia County Sheriff's Office 386-239-6522, VHeld@VCSO.US . For Easydrift or curriculum specific inquiries, please contact Terry Earwood at TLEarwood@aol.com.