Maricopa Community Colleges  LET111   19926-19952 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 05/26/92
LET111 19926-19952 L+L 2 Credit(s) 4 Period(s)
Tactical Driving
Overview of basic defensive driving techniques, dynamics of moving vehicles, the driving task, and driving a vehicle under hazardous conditions. Includes theory of high speed vehicle control while in pursuit, methods to successfully stop fleeing vehicles, psychological and physiological factors, liability issues, and methods for reducing the risks of pursuit. Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
LET111   19926-19952 Tactical Driving
1. Differentiate between offensive and defensive driving. (I)
2. Explain the importance of tactical driving skills for police officers. (I)
3. List six factors affecting the defensive driving ability and skills of the driver. (II)
4. Describe factors relating to vehicle dynamics. (III)
5. Explain how the condition of the driver, road surface, vehicle, and weather affect the stopping distance of a vehicle. (III)
6. Define "pursuit driving." (IV)
7. Identify an officer's legal liability while operating a vehicle in an emergency mode. (IV)
8. Name the conditions under which a pursuit should be abandoned. (IV)
9. List five situations that could result in the need for an officer to use tactical driving skills. (V)
10. List four different types of violators and describe the characteristics of each. (IV)
11. Identify the mental factors of tactical and pursuit driving. (V)
12. Demonstrate the appropriate ways to control, recover, or regain control of a vehicle. (VIII)
13. Demonstrate the proper acceleration, braking, corner entry, and vehicle position to successfully negotiate a simulated pursuit drivingcourse. (VI)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
LET111   19926-19952 Tactical Driving
    I. Introduction to Tactical Driving
        A. Definition of Tactical Driving
          1. Defensive Driving
          2. Offensive Driving
        B. Police Driving
          1. The Importance of Tactical Driving Skills for Police Officers
          2. Why Police Officers have a Higher Exposure to Potential Accidents
          3. The Importance of Endurance Behind the Wheel
          4. Costs to Law Enforcement
        C. High Speed Pursuits
      II. The Driver
          A. Mental Attitude
          B. Vision
          C. Eyesight
          D. Fatigue
          E. Seating Position
          F. Drugs and Alcohol
        III. Vehicle Dynamics
            A. Understanding The Vehicle
            B. The Forces a Vehicle Reacts To
            C. Braking and Braking Control
            D. Reaction Time
            E. Weight Transfer
            F. Tires
          IV. Pursuits and Emergency Driving
              A. Pursuits and Pursuit Awareness
                1. Vehicles
                2. Violator/Violations
                3. Variables
              B. Pursuit Position
              C. Controlling the Movement of an Automobile to Overtake
              D. Utilizing Lights and Sirens
              E. Pursuit and Tactical Driving Drawbacks
              F. Overview of Compliance Code 28-624
              G. Liability Factors of Pursuit/Tactical Driving
              H. Terminating a Pursuit
              I. Environmental Factors
                1. Night Driving
                2. Hazardous Road Conditions
              J. Case Studies
            V. Tactical Driving Situations
                A. Medical Aid
                B. Minor Traffic Violation
                C. High Speed Moving Violation
                D. Fleeing Felon
                E. Officer Assistance
              IV. Violators
                  A. High Concern Violators
                  B. Erratic Concern Violators
                  C. Low Concern Violators
                  D. Fleeing Felons
                V. Mental Factors of Tactical and Pursuit Driving
                    A. The Psychology of Tactical Driving
                    B. How the Violator Reacts
                    C. Evaluation of the Pursuit
                    D. Fear Factor
                  VI. Practical Exercises
                      A. 30 and 40 MPH Lane Changes
                      B. 90 - and 180 - Degree Turns
                      C. Backing
                      D. Excessive Acceleration
                      E. Excessive Braking
                      F. Excessive Skid/Slide
                      G. Proper Acceleration
                      H. Corner Entry
                      I. Vehicle Positioning
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