BRODHEAD - Recently a team of school bus drivers from the Brodhead team of Kobussen Buses LTD traveled to Appleton for specialized training that simulated a variety of emergency situations. Drivers included Keegan Lee, Peggy Rieff and Cathy Kwasneski from Brodhead and Jim Schilz from Monroe.
The experience gave drivers an opportunity to make better decisions when confronted with an actual emergency associated with everyday driving activities.
The course, Decision Driving, conducted by Fox Valley Technical College, was designed specifically for Kobussen and included both time behind the wheel and an in-classroom session. The behind-the-wheel part of the program started on the skid pad, which simulates a slick driving surface that gives experience in pre-accident conditions. One exercise starts by going around in a circle, increasing speed until the bus starts sliding. In another, drivers drive straight ahead to test reaction times. There's also one in which the driver hits the brakes and has to pull out of the skid and re-gain control.
The experience gave drivers an opportunity to make better decisions when confronted with an actual emergency associated with everyday driving activities.
The course, Decision Driving, conducted by Fox Valley Technical College, was designed specifically for Kobussen and included both time behind the wheel and an in-classroom session. The behind-the-wheel part of the program started on the skid pad, which simulates a slick driving surface that gives experience in pre-accident conditions. One exercise starts by going around in a circle, increasing speed until the bus starts sliding. In another, drivers drive straight ahead to test reaction times. There's also one in which the driver hits the brakes and has to pull out of the skid and re-gain control.