Improving driving technique. What does it give you in practice?

Sudden skidding, loss of traction or emergency braking are just some of the possible hazards that drivers face while driving. However, you can prepare for such situations in special training.

When asked how they rate their driving skills, many drivers say they are at a good level. Self-confidence is important because the driver is not stressed while driving. However, overestimating one's skills is a common sin for drivers.

The principle of confident driving is not only legal driving, but also safe driving. On the road, it may turn out that although we follow the rules, it may come to a situation where we do not have control over the car. For example: the speed limit outside built-up areas is 90 km/h. But on slippery surfaces, even at lower speeds, you can skid. Therefore, the driver, while observing the rule on the maximum permissible speed, may find himself in a dangerous situation, and here driving technique decides.

No one, not even the most talented, has the technique to avoid a dangerous situation, let alone overcome such a threat, with a driver's license. Driving techniques have been developed over the years. The more kilometers traveled, the more information and driving skills are acquired.

However, you can speed up the improvement of your driving technique. At special trainings conducted by experienced driving instructors, you can learn how to get out of a skid or drive a car on slippery surfaces.

- A skid can happen to anyone, and the more someone drives, the more likely it is. For our own safety, we must be able to face such unexpected behavior of the car in a safe environment, says Radoslav Jaskulski, Skoda Auto Szkoła coach.

It is one of the Polish institutions dedicated to the improvement of driving technique. Skoda Auto Szkoła is part of the wider Skoda Auto Safety project initiated by the Skoda brand. This year Skoda Driving School celebrates its 15th anniversary. Since its foundation in 2004, more than 200 people have been trained here. drivers.

Since 2016, Skoda Auto Szkoła has been conducting training at its own facility - Autodrom Poznań. This is a modern complex with a maneuvering platform, a 6-meter slide with a 10% slope, a sliding mat, a taper and a circle with a water barrier. There, drivers can test their ability to cope with extreme situations in practice.

However, the most important thing in Skoda Auto Szkoła is people. Training is conducted by 13 highly qualified instructors. The personnel of this facility are certified by the ADAC Fahrsicherheitszentrum Berlin-Brandenburg, which gives them the right to conduct training in driving improvement centers throughout Europe. Skoda Auto Szkoła instructors are also certified by EcoDriving Finland and ECOWILL. In addition, it is one of the few training centers in Poland that offers advanced training courses also for people with disabilities.

Skoda Auto School offers four main types of training. Driving Safely is a training course for all drivers.

“It all starts with finding the right driving position. As it turned out, many drivers neglect this basic element that affects driving safety, says Filip Kachanovski, Skoda Auto Szkoła coach.

During training, the driver learns how to prepare for driving, how to take the right position at the wheel, how and when to turn and brake effectively. During the training, students will learn in practice the operation of the ABS system and the technique of making turns and series of turns.

Safe driving education is provided at several levels. The advanced course allows, among other things, learning how to behave correctly, how to react to a skid and how to drive a car in order to avoid difficult situations on the road, such as driving around an obstacle on slippery surfaces or losing traction on the front and rear axles and how to react to this phenomenon.

At the Eco Driving training, the participant masters a driving style that saves fuel and consumables, increases the safety of travelers and protects the environment.

Defensive driving training enhances previously acquired skills through long-range observation of the road, advance planning of maneuvers, and consistent selection of position and speed on the road.

Off-road training is also provided. In this course, drivers learn how to drive safely on forest and mountain roads. They learn the technique and tactics of planning and moving through difficult terrain. They will also learn how to use all-wheel drive effectively and which systems will help them drive safely.

– Regardless of the current or acquired skills in the field of driving technique, every driver must also be prudent and prudent. They are one of the key elements of safe driving, emphasizes Radosław Jaskulski.