Skid monster helps Airmen practice winter driving

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo --  The 90th Space Wing safety staff formulated a plan in 2003 to decrease the number of serious vehicle mishaps. For weeks, they experimented with different ideas until something dark emerged. A monster arose in their midst.

Apart from being a gigantic, blue beast with a passion for causing motion sickness and disorientation, the monster enjoys panic inducing situations and does not respond to its master's wishes.

However, the safety crew's invention fulfills its original plan: teach better driving skills to Airmen as to prevent vehicle mishaps and save lives.

"Anything that saves someone's life is definitely better than planting flowers at the base," said Troy Weaver, 90th SW safety, about funerals from driving accidents.

The $10,000 monstrosity, when looked upon with an unhindered human eye, resembles a regular sport utility vehicle with the back two tires replaced with aircraft tires. When in the normal driving mode, the aircraft tires stay locked in place to simulate how a regular car would handle. Once the 'monster' switch is flipped, the back tires unlock. Once unlocked, the tires have complete 360-degree freedom resulting in a driving-on-the-ice feeling.

Airmen are reminded to use caution when they lose control of a vehicle:

-Don't panic.

-Take your foot off the gas.

-Turn the wheel into the skid.

-Don't over correct.

-Apply brakes lightly.

"You should always think about what can happen as soon as you start your vehicle up," Mr. Weaver said. "Anything can happen. You can lose control of a vehicle just like that," he added with a snap of his finger.

Practicing in the skid car can improve driving abilities, Mr. Weaver said. In 2000, there was one vehicle rollover every month at Warren. Now, there have been only three for 2007.

"We have people coming here from all over the world," Mr. Weaver said. "The people have different driving backgrounds and history. Some have had experience driving in snow or country roads, but others are only used to city traffic. This car training has absolutely helped."

All Airmen under the age of 24 who work or drive in the field are required to do yearly training in the skid car and on the gravel safety course. The training is not mandatory for first-term Airmen, but recommended.

"It's the beginning of the future," said Mike Woods, 90th SW safety. "We want to train drivers like we train every other profession. We have good drivers. We just want to make them professional drivers."

Every unit has a certified driver-safety representative. Warren military members may schedule appointments to use the skid car by contacting their unit's trainer. For more information call the 90th SW safety office at 773-2430.