With the technological advancements in the automotive industry over the last three decades comes a change in the rules for safe driving, as well. The Wall Street Journal reports that because of improvements to steering, braking systems and tires, among others, the basic safety rules of old may not be so safe anymore. For that reason many companies are sending employees to advanced driver-training courses to lower accident rates. Johnson & Johnson and Novartis, for instance, actually require specialized courses for their drug reps. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, work-related roadway deaths have increased 20 percent in the last 10 years. However, Driving Dynamics, a Little Silver, N.J.-based advanced driving school, says that companies that have taken their course find a 20-40 percent drop in accident rates. Some of the areas that are concentrated on are hand position, braking, steering and air bags. The “skid” technique shows a big difference. Where drivers were once taught to steer into a skid, which is true only of rear-wheel drive vehicles, front-wheel car drivers are told to aim in the direction they wish to go. Rather than the classroom-style driver’s education courses from before, the new courses offer hands-on, behind-the-wheel training.
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