Slipping and sliding
A semi driven by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo goes into a skid at LCSC's training skid pad. By Stephanie SmithLEWISTON - LCSC unveiled it's new skid ramp Thursday. It's a training tool to teach drivers how to react when they start to lose control of their vehicle. MultimediaIdaho Senator Mike Crapo and LSCS President Dene Thomas cut the ribbon for the pad and then went for a drive. "That was exciting and it was fun and actually the thing that came across most to me was how they could set the different parameters on the truck so you could feel like you were on ice, feel like you were going too fast into a corner and they teach you what to do when you run into that," said Crapo. "I think this is the kind of thing that everybody ought to get training on." It took 11 years of planning and grant writing to make it happen. It is the only skid pad of it's kind west of the Mississippi. Crapo drove a 1,200 pound semi tractor, which will be used to train, truckers, bus drivers and emergency officials. Besides the big rig, there's a Tahoe which will be used for drivers ed, police training and anyone else who wants to brush up their skills. A computer controls the hydraulics system which raises the vehicle and reduces the traction. "We give people the experience of a front wheel skid and then the experience of a rear wheel skid," said LCSC Workforce Instructor Phil Liggins. So one wonders is it possible to flip the vehicle? "No," said Liggins. "Absolutely not. When you are in that front skid the more you turn the more you are going to skid." Then Liggins turned on the "I should have stayed at home weather". Making both the front and rear wheels slide. "When you come out of this corner go hard right, hard right. Then straighten out," said Liggins. "Good Job!" Luckily all of the passengers survived the trip by this reporter. If you want to test it out for yourself, call LCSC's Workforce Training at 1-800-879-0452. Most Popular |
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