Unit 5 - Manage Crisis

Element
5.1 Avoids imminent crash.

Performance Criteria

1. Other road users are alerted to imminent danger.
2. When other road users start to violate orderly behaviour, sufficient stopping space is maintained to avoid crashing.
3. When road obstructions prevent a safe passage, sufficient stopping space is maintained to avoid crashing.
4. When sufficient stopping space has not been maintained to avoid an imminent conflict, the escape route with minimum chance of harm is selected.
5. When the driver has unintentionally driven off the carriageway while travelling straight, action is taken to return to the carriageway safely.
6. When the driver has unintentionally entered a curve too fast, action is taken to minimise the potential for loss of control.

Performance Criteria

1. A reserve of tyre grip is maintained.
2. A front wheel skid is immediately detected and action taken to regain a reserve of grip.
3. A rear wheel skid is immediately detected and action taken to regain a reserve of grip.
4. An all wheel skid is immediately detected and action taken to regain a reserve of grip.
5. The Anti-lock Braking System (where fitted) is used in evasive manoeuvres requiring braking and braking combined with steering.
6. Aqua planing is detected and action taken to regain a reserve of grip.

Performance Criteria

1. Immediate and appropriate action is taken to prevent further injury or damage.
2. Legal and insurance requirements are met.

Performance Criteria

1. Vehicle malfunctions are detected and vehicle is stopped safely.
2. Following a breakdown, immediate and appropriate action is taken to ensure personal safety and that of other road users.
3. Minor running repairs are carried out.

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Crashes are rare events. Even defensive drivers will be
surprised by road users actually violating orderly behaviour. Defensive drivers keep enough space in reserve to avoid a crash, should their own or another driver's judgement fail.

5.1.1 Other road users are alerted to imminent danger.

This may involve sounding the horn or flashing head lights.

Imminent danger includes:

• brake failure;
  
• tyre failure;
  
• fire;
  
• traffic emergency [e.g. oncoming vehicle on incorrect side of road]; or
  
• skids.

5.1.2 When other road users start to violate orderly behaviour, sufficient stopping space is maintained to avoid crashing.

Stopping is considered safer than swerving to avoid a crash provided sufficient space is available.

5.1.3 When sufficient stopping space has not been maintained to avoid an imminent conflict, the safest alternative to braking is chosen.

Swerving is not a reliable option. The consequences of swerving must be considered.

Escape routes can include:

• another lane change;
  
• the road shoulder; or
  
• leaving the road.

5.1.4 When the driver has unintentionally driven off the carriageway while travelling straight, action is taken to return to the carriageway safely.

Action would include:

• maintaining a steady speed and course parallel to the carriageway;
  
• locating a smooth road edge to rejoin the carriageway; and
  
• steering back to the carriageway gradually.

5.1.5 When the driver has unintentionally entered a curve too fast, action is taken to correct the error.

Action can include:

• braking if the vehicle is still travelling straight then easing pressure off the brakes on entering the turn;
  
• easing off the accelerator and braking gently if the vehicle has already entered the turn; and
  
• looking towards the exit of the curve.

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This element addresses skid avoidance and control.

A skid means:

• The grip of one or more tyres is less than what is required for the driver to have complete control over the vehicle's speed and direction.

If the driver adjusts proactively and responsively to changes in the environment he or she should never get into a skid. If a tyre does skid it means the driver has made a serious error. However, errors do happen and a dimension of competence is having a contingency to deal with mistakes; hence this element is included in the Standard.
Training and assessing skid avoidance and control is problematic. Road Safety research has identified that drivers trained in these skills may be more likely to crash than those that receive no such training. The research suggests that skid training causes drivers to miscalibrate their perceived ability with their actual ability. They tend to think they have more skill to control a situation than they actually have.
For this reason the Driver Competency Standard cautions against conducting such training and assessment unless the methods used can clearly demonstrate a scientifically robust and educationally sound rationale.

5.2.1 A reserve of tyre grip is maintained.

An imminent crisis will invariably require an evasive manoeuvre such as braking or swerving. The driver's responses should not cause the tyres to skid. A reserve of grip can be maintained by carefully co-ordinating inputs.

5.2.2 A skid is immediately detected and action taken to regain a reserve of grip.

5.2.3 The Anti-lock Braking System (where fitted) is used in evasive manoeuvres requiring braking and braking combined with steering.

An anti-lock braking system senses when a wheel has reached locking point, and automatically releases brake pressure regardless of how hard the driver is pushing the brake pedal and then reapplies the pressure as soon as the wheel starts to rotate again. The primary purpose of ABS is to assist the driver to retain control of steering during evasive braking and steering.

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5.3.1 Immediate and appropriate action is taken to prevent further crash injury or damage.

Appropriate action includes:

• stopping and switching off the engine;
  
• activating hazard warning lights;
  
• protecting the area [using warning devices];
  
• caring for the injured; and
  
• using required procedures if carrying dangerous goods.

5.3.2 Legal and insurance requirements are met.

This will include:

• notifying police when: someone has been injured, or property damage exceeds $1000, or the owner or any property damaged is not present at the scene of the accident;
  
• exchanging names, addresses, registration numbers and insurance details as appropriate;
  
• locating witnesses; and
  
• noting accident details as required for insurance report.

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5.4.1 Vehicle malfunctions are detected and
vehicle is stopped safely.

Malfunctions might include:

• brakes failing;
  
• tyres failing; or
  
• breaking the windscreen.

5.4.2 Following a breakdown immediate and appropriate action is taken to ensure personal safety and that of other road users.

Appropriate action includes:

• moving off the road if possible;
  
• stopping and switching off the engine;
  
• activating hazard warning lights;
  
• locating warning signs legally; and
  
• notifying employer and local authority.

5.4.3 Minor running repairs are carried out.

This may include:

• changing a flat tyre; or
  
• clearing a broken windscreen.

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