OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING
INSTITUTE
Driver Awareness Training
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OMAN GAS COMPANY
BLACKTOP ROAD DRIVING SKILLS
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DOMESTIC
ARRANGEMENTS
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Emergency Exits
Fire Alarms
Smoking Policy
Toilets
Breaks
GSM
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PERSONAL INTRODUCTIONS
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Name, Job and Work Location
Nationality
Time in Oman
Driving experience
What do you want from this course?
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COURSE AIM
This course aims to provide drivers
at Oman Gas Company the
knowledge and skills required to
drive safely on interior graded roads
and to increase the knowledge and
skills of staff who drive company or
private vehicles on blacktop roads in
the Sultanate of Oman.
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Session Aims
The Aim of the session is to increase the
knowledge and skills of Oman Gas
Company staff who drive company or
private vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman.
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1899
Britain’s first recorded fatal road accident involving the driver &
passengers of a motor car, happened on the 23rd February 1899 in
Grove Hill Road, Harrow. Mr E R Sewell a highly regarded driver was
demonstrating a wagonette motor car which had a maximum speed
limit of 14 mph. Travelling down a hill at a speed reckoned to be in
excess of 25 mph, a combination of braking & cornering caused the
vehicle to collapse.
All six occupants were thrown out of the vehicle. The four rear
passengers suffered only bruising & shock, but Sewell & his fellow
front seat passenger passenger, Major James Richer, died as a result
of head injuries.
The accident made front page news for most newspapers & the
autocar of 11th March 1899 concluded that Sewell’s pride & selfconfidence caused him to “show off”. The Autocar went on to
express the hope that the terrible consequences of this accident
would induce other drivers to take greater care & check their desires
for madly rushing down hills at top speed.
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Session Objectives
By the end of the course participants should
be able to: Identify hazards associated with driving.
 Understand the defence against hazards.
 React correctly to the changing driving
environment.
 Have a greater knowledge and awareness
of Omani traffic law.
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Oman statistics 2008
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How many road traffic accidents occurred?
Answer : 7982 (Fall of 834 on 2007)
How many injuries were there?
Answer : 10558 (Increase of 2027 on
2007)
How many people lost their lives?
Answer: 951 (Increase of 153 on 2007)
What were the causes of these accidents?
Answer: Neglect, Speed & Safety Distance
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Oman Road Deaths By Cause
2008
Speed? 566
Overtaking? 158
Improper Act? 80
Neglect? 73
Vehicle Condition? 40
Road Condition? 10
Safety Distance? 9
Drunk Driving? 7
Tiredness? 4
Weather Conditions? 2
Sudden Stopping? 1
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Causes of accidents
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Lack of concentration.
Lack of observation.
Lack of anticipation.
Excessive speed.
Lack of space.
Lack of time.
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Do you think that a small
device like this one is the
cause of a lot of accidents
worldwide? A lot of people
don’t. That’s the reason why
we ask you to observe closely
the following pictures. You
will probably change the way
you think.
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Before we start, we warn you
that the following slides
contain graphic material.
These pictures are from a
very young girl whose dreams
faded once she made the
wrong choice of using her cell
phone while driving.
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A simple second of distraction took away her
life and dreams.
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This could have been avoided!
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There are no second chances. Don’t think this
can’t happen to you.
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WARNING: The following images contain graphic
material.
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Roses that never reached their destination
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DO NOT use it when you
drive. Don’t risk your life!
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Oman Traffic Offences 2008
Mobile phones?
12,938
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SPEEDING IS A CONSCIOUS CHOICE BY
THE DRIVER
For every 15 Kms per hour
we drive in excess of 80
Kilometers per hour, we:
double our chances
of being killed if an accident
occurs.
The best way to judge
the safest speed is
· to know the speed limit
· to assess the driving conditions.
· Constantly watch your speed
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Tailgating - this is What
Happens …..
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Why Do You Think Drivers
Follow Too Closely?
They want the drivers ahead to get out of the
way.
They think they can stop faster than they
actually can.
They think their response time is good.
They have developed a habit of driving that way.
They don’t know any better.
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Oman Traffic Offences 2008
Dangerous driving?
49,665
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Head On Collisions - the
Deadliest of All
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Oman Traffic Offences 2008
Speeding?
1,753,698
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Safety Systems
Why Wear a Seatbelt?
The belt absorbs the force of the
crash.
It retains you in your seat.
It stops you hitting other objects
or being thrown from the vehicle.
They work – worldwide, fatalities
in traffic accidents have been
proven to drop by 50% by making
seatbelt use a legal requirement.
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Oman Traffic Offences 2008
Seat belt?
61,084
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COMFORT BREAK
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Signs & road markings
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Alcohol
WARNING: If you are under the influence of
alcohol or drugs & you have an accident, you
can go to prison & can be deported. Never drink
& drive. It is illegal in Oman to consume liquor
outside your home or licensed premises. It is an
offence to carry alcohol in your vehicle, unless
you are transporting it from the place of
purchase directly to your residence.
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Oman Traffic Offences 2008
Drunk driving?
1,695
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Accidents
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Accident Check List
1. Carry in your vehicle at all times a copy of the following:
Drivers licence
Vehicle registration
Insurance
Labour/residence card
Emergency telephone numbers
2. Report non minor accidents to the police.
3. Do not argue with anyone.
4. Do not accept or offer cash as a settlement.
5. Be polite & courteous to the police.
6. If the accident involves injury or death, you can expect to be detained by
the police. Tell them you need to contact your Duty Manager and/or PRO.
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TRAFFIC LAW
Section Six - Lighting
Article (107)
Under any circumstances the driver shall lighten
his vehicle lights during the darkness (period
extending from 15 minutes before the sun set to
15 minutes after its rising) and during any
unusual darkness period arising from the dust or
mist or storm or hurricane or other during the
daytime or when the visibility becomes unclear.
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Traffic offences
The Omani authorities are cracking down on specific driving offences. The table
below summarises offences and punishments. In all cases, the punishment will
be more severe if the offence leads to death or injury of a third party.
OFFENCE
Crossing a red (or amber)
light.
Crossing a yellow line to
overtake on the right.
Driving under the influence
of alcohol.
PUNISHMENT
48 hours in custody.
A fine of OR75.
Impounded vehicle for one week.
Where the driver has a record
the case will be forwarded to the
Courts.
48 hours in custody.
A fine of OR75.
Impounded vehicle for one week.
Driving without a valid
licence.
The case will be forwarded to the
Courts.
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Zebra Crossings
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BEWARE!
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Roundabouts
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Roundabouts
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General Rules
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Give way to traffic from left. Exceptions to this
will be clearly marked.
Points of entry marked by single broken white
lines or studs across road.
Keep moving if the way ahead from the left is
clear.
Watch for vehicles crossing in front and
converging from all sides when in the
roundabout.
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Turning Right
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Straight on
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Turning Left
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Turning Right
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Straight on
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Turning Left From Inside Lane
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Turning Left From Outside Lane
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Yellow Lines
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Oman Traffic Offences 2008
Dangerous driving?
49,665
Drunk driving?
1,695
Speeding?
1,753,698
Seat belt?
61,084
Overtaking?
8,964
Mobile phones?
12,938
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Practical session
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Vehicle checks.
Instructor commentary and demonstration
drive (Blacktop).
Student Blacktop Assessment.
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DRIVE SAFELY
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COMFORT BREAK
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OMAN GAS COMPANY
GRADED ROAD DRIVING SKILLS
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DOMESTIC
ARRANGEMENTS






Emergency Exits
Fire Alarms
Smoking Policy
Toilets
Breaks
GSM
72
PERSONAL INTRODUCTIONS





Name, Job and Work Location
Nationality
Time in Oman
Driving experience
What do you want from this course?
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SESSION OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session the participants will be able to:-
• EXPLAIN THE KEY OMAN GAS COMPANY REGULATIONS FOR
DRIVING IN THE INTERIOR.
•IDENTIFY, REDUCE AND CONTROL THE
HAZARDS
ENCOUNTERED WHILST DRIVING ON GRADED ROADS.
•EXPLAIN HOW THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF 4 X 4
VEHICLES, HARSH DRIVING STYLES & DIFFERENT ROAD
CONDITIONS CAN EFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL.
•RECOVER & ESCAPE FROM THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE ‘S’
PATTERN.
•SHOW DRIVING COMPETENCE ON GRADED ROADS TO THE
STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR THE OMAN GAS COMPANY
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OMAN 1973
The driving wasn’t all that bad in Oman even though vehicles were a
relatively new phenomenon.
Nevertheless, traffic accidents seemed to be frightfully common. One
always seemed to see the remains of a disaster each time one
travelled.
It rather amazed us that even if only two vehicles were to be seen
approaching each other from opposite directions, in good visibility
on an open road, the chances of them crashing into each other
were depressingly high.
It was a sad fact that we seemed to lose as many of our soldiers in
traffic accidents as we lost through enemy action.
Ian Gardiner – Royal Marines (Author of ‘In the service of the Sultan’)
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LICENCE REQUIREMENTS
Either:
1. ROP / GCC Licence for the type of Vehicle being Driven.
Or
2. National Licence from a Country on Approved List.
For most
countries this will give a grace period of 3 months.
An OGC Graded road Permit, Obtained by attending a
Graded road Course or the 3 yearly Driver Awareness
Refresher Course.
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OGC LIGHT VEHICLE SPECIFICATION
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SPEED LIMITER (80 kph)
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER
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ROLLBAR
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RADIO CD/CASSETTE PLAYER
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CARGO CAGE
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FIRST AID KIT
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WARNING TRIANGLE
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2 SPARE WHEELS
HIGH INTENSITY REAR
LIGHTS
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3 POINT INERTIA REEL
SEATBELTS (Front & Rear)
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AC UNIT (30)
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PRE - JOURNEY VEHICLE CHECK
Oman Gas Company require drivers to carry out a vehicle check prior to commencing a journey
12Ltrs DRINKING WATER per person, per 24 hrs
EXTERIOR
WHEELS
TYRES
MIRRORS
LIGHTS(condition)
OILS
RADIATOR
FANBELTS
TOOLS
SEATBELTS
WINDSCREEN
BATTERY
WASHER BOTTLE
FIRSTAID KIT
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
WASHERS & WIPERS
HORN
LIGHTS(operation)
COMMUNICATION (VHF)
INSTRUMENTATION
FUEL
BRAKES STEERING & SPEEDOMETER
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A TYPICAL GRADED ROAD
Road Surface
Safety Lane
Windrow
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GRADED ROAD
RULES
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HEADLIGHTS ON
REAR HIGH INTENSITY LIGHTS ON
ENGAGE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
KEEP HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL
NEVER STOP ON A GRADED ROAD
NEVER STOP IN THE SAFETY LANE
NEVER DRIVE BLIND THROUGH A
DUST CLOUD
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THE MAJOR HAZARD OF DRIVING
ON GRADED ROADS...
Dust Clouds Created by
Vehicle Movements and
Weather Conditions
What are the hazards of driving
through a dust cloud?
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Times of Oman (February 2007)
12 KILLED IN IBRI ACCIDENT
IBRI – Twelve people were killed and three injured
in an accident involving two vehicles at Al Safat
area in the Wilayat of Ibri yesterday.
The ROP said the accident took place when a
vehicle, which was trying to overtake another,
crashed head-on with the vehicle coming from
the opposite direction. The ROP urged motorists
to be cautious while driving and to abide by
traffic regulations.
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Oman Traffic Offences 2008
Dangerous Overtaking?
8,964
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COMFORT BREAK
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FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
HIGHER CENTRE OF
GRAVITY
POWER TRANSMITTED TO ALL 4 WHEELS
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2WD v 4WD
MANY 4WD VEHICLES HAVE A MUCH
HIGHER CENTRE OF GRAVITY THAN 2WD
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….. AND THEREFORE CAN BE PRONE TO
ROLLOVERS IF DRIVEN HARSHLY OR
AGGRESSIVELY
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Physical
Forces
Momentum
Centrifugal
Force
Gravity
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DRIVERS’ CONTRIBUTION TO
ROLLOVERS
SUDDEN OR
EXCESSIVE BRAKING
HARSH
ACCELERATION
COARSE STEERING
EXCESSIVE SPEED
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Material Build Up On
Bends
Can cause
aquaplaning and
loss of control traction on a graded
road is reduced to
25% of the traction
on a blacktop road
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Marbelling
The build up of
degraded road
material from the
road surface or
windrow - reduces
traction/tyre slides
over the surface
Action - Reduce Speed, regain driving line and
DO NOT BRAKE
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Corrugation
Note: no
headlights on!!
A ribbing
effect which
runs
transversely
across the
road.
Action - Do not drive faster. Grip the steering wheel firmly,
reduce speed, do not brake and gently bring the vehicle
back to its own side of the road
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PRACTICAL CONTROL & RECOVERY
ON FINDING YOURSELF IN DIFFICULTY...
• STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS AND KEEP THEM
STRAIGHT
• KEEP FEET AWAY FROM THE CONTROLS
• RUN STRAIGHT OFF THE ROAD
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DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STEER BACK
ONTO THE ROAD UNTIL YOU HAVE
DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED
HARSH STEERING AND HIGH
SPEEDS RESULT IN ROLLOVERS!
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MANAGING FATIGUE
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• ADEQUATE SLEEP BEFORE A LONG JOURNEY
• TAKE REGULAR BREAKS – AS MANY AS
NECESSARY
• AVOID HEAVY MEALS BEFORE & DURING THE
JOURNEY
• LISTEN TO STIMULATING MUSIC
• MAINTAIN CABIN TEMPERATURE
• AVOID DRIVING DURING LOW POINT OF
AWARENESS (12 NOON TO 2 PM)
FATIGUE IS A SILENT KILLER!
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ANIMAL HITS
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What happened?
At 09:40hrs A Pick up was going to Ibri and hit a
camel
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Previous Camel hit incidents
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THE JOURNEY
HAZARDS
CONTROLS
Lost Driver/Vehicle
Rest Breaks
Safe
Ineffective
Emergency
Response
Journey
Unauthorised
Journeys
Management
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THE JOURNEY
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LOAD SECURITY
REFUELLING
REST BREAK PARKING
MARKED ROUTES
NIGHT DRIVING
CONVOY PROCEDURES
DURING YOUR JOURNEY
AT THE END OF YOUR TRIP
SMOKING
ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENT PROCEDURE
RTI INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
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WATER AND WADI’S
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AQUAPLANING
A BUILD UP OF STANDING
WATER ON THE ROAD
SURFACE
CAUSED BY:
1. EXCESSIVE SPEED
2. WORN TYRES
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WADI CROSSINGS
WHEN THE
WATER IS
INTO THE
RED
DO NOT
CROSS OMANI LAW
THE DANGER IS NOT THE DEPTH OF WATER
IT IS THE POWER
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Practical session
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Vehicle checks.
Instructor graded road instruction,
commentary and demonstration drive.
Student graded road assessment.
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DRIVE SAFELY
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