A new way of delivering Defensive Driving

Section A: “Compulsory modules” cover the core defensive driving concepts and principles.  The three modules that make up this section are “Basic Concepts”, “Following & Passing”, and “Driving Impairments”.  

Basic Concepts cover definitions, current statistical information, and the five driving conditions that cause collisions (i.e., vehicle, road, traffic, weather, and the driver). 

Following and Passing covers scanning, safe following zones, total stopping time, “2 second rule”, passing, preventing collisions, and effects of speed.

Driving Impairments covers “the mystery crash”, impaired driving statistics, public perception, driving myths, the law, “are we tough enough?”, fatigue, and factors that contribute to impairment.

Section B:  Driver and Vehicle (Choose 1 of the following)

Professional City Drivers --- This module covers:  the professional driver, high traffic volumes, aggression, time vs. money, distractions, parking, understanding the city, vehicle maintenance, and public perception.

Light Trucks and Pick-ups --- This module covers:  pre-trip inspections, vehicle loading, trailer towing, following distance, communication devices, winching, boosting, and controlled areas.

Professional Drivers of Big Rigs --- This module covers: pre-trip inspections, load securement, following distances, turning, reversing, parking, flags, flares, and triangles.

Gravel and Off Road Driving --- This module covers:  company image, pre-trip inspections, vehicle loading, specific problems with gravel and off road conditions, trailer towing, following distance, communication devices, winching, boosting, and restricted or controlled areas.

Professional Drivers of Buses & Coaches --- This module covers: the professional driver, pre-trip inspections, weight/speed/stopping, turning, passing, reversing, and much more.

Other modules being considered include: Driving; General Oilfield Drivers; and Liquid Haulage Drivers.

Section C:  (Choose 2 of the following)

Winter Driving --- This module covers:  being prepared for emergency weather hazards associated with driving, winter driving hazards, pre-trip planning, and winter driving tips.

Special Conditions --- This module covers:  railways and trains, animals, seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, cell phones and radios, and emergency vehicles.

City & Highway Driving --- This module covers:  traffic lights, traffic circles, freeways, rush hour traffic, night driving, pedestrians, blind spots, merging, speed, loss of control, and vacation traffic.

Low Speed Maneuvers --- This module covers:  parking (parallel, angle, and parking lots), reversing, crosswalks and pedestrians, and turning.

Other modules being considered include: Loading and Securement; and Trailering.

How To Become An M-DDC Instructor

Transferring to M-DDC from Another DDC Program

• Take a one day orientation seminar that includes the instructor manual and overheads
• Purchase competitively priced student kits through ATSafety Services Inc.
• Have 6 or fewer demerit points on your license

Becoming an M-DDC Instructor, Without Prior DDC Credentials

• Have 6 or fewer demerit points on your license
• Successfully complete a 5 day train-the-trainer course
• Complete either a peer audit or a video monitor

Maintaining Your Instructor Status

To maintain your instructor status you need to:

• Teach a minimum of 2 courses per calendar year
• Have 6 or fewer demerit points on your license at any time
• Attend a half-day refresher workshop once every two years

More About The Course

Alberta infrastructure, the provincial body responsible for regulating Defensive Driving Instruction in Alberta, has approved the M-DDC as a certified defensive driving course.

What Does Alberta Infrastructure Approval Mean?

• In Alberta, students who successfully complete the M-DDC, receive a 3 point demerit reduction on their drivers license
• For other provinces, it means that a government regulatory body has reviewed the course, ensuring that it is comparable to other currently available defensive driving programs both in Alberta, and across Canada.

What About the Cost of Student and Instructor Materials?

• Both instructor and students kits are competitively priced compared with other defensive driving materials.