Cornwall County Council Road Safety Unit has completed a series of Driving and Motorcycling Safety Awareness Days for staff, giving advice about winter driving and promoting the Road Safety defensive driving courses to enable people to become safer drivers.

Chris Billing, Road Safety Officer for Driver / Rider Safety said: "The series of events was very successful, especially for drivers seeking advice on winter driving. And the chance of winning a session on the Skid Control Training (the only facility of its kind in Cornwall) was very popular with people wanting to further improve their individual driving skills."

The Skid Control Training is conducted at RAF Portreath in a car fitted to a frame. This allows the instructors to lift the car's wheels to simulate different weather conditions such as ice, snow and heavy rain. By losing grip from the tyres on the road surface participants experience the effects of losing control of the vehicle.

"The training concentrates on the causes of various types of skids and prevention of skidding. Skids and skidding are usually the result of a driver's action as they don't just happen: they are caused. The training helps to equip drivers with the knowledge and techniques to drive in various weather conditions and situations and teaches them how to take corrective action in bringing the vehicle under control." he added.

A vehicle's tyres will lose their grip on the road surface when driven at excessive speed; submitted to harsh or sudden braking; sudden acceleration; braking on a bend or corner; a sudden change of direction or when aquaplaning. All of these can potentially lead to dangerous situations and the Skid Car Training therefore educates drivers in appropriate techniques to help avoid collisions.

Alison Dunn, one of the competition winners, was full of praise for the course: "I was a little apprehensive at the thought of getting into the skid car but I was soon put at ease. I learnt such a lot about general car maintenance, collision avoidance and braking techniques and I would recommend it for anyone. This course did not just apply to my work but enhances a valuable life skill of everyday driving. I have now asked to be put on the Driver Improvement Course which is something I would not have considered before participating in the skid pan training."

Elaine Williams also thought the training to be highly worthwhile, stating "The course is brilliant and should be compulsory. I learnt so much! I would highly recommend it."