Glen Edmunds Performance Driving Newsletter April, 2007

Please see below for our Glen Edmunds Performance Driving School Newsletter and Update on recent crime trends.

Traffic advisory – Kenya Police Checks

Please note the traffic police have commenced a stop and check at assorted points to verify all vehicles have warning reflector triangles. It is also noteworthy that they are not readily available in local stores.

Important Nairobi Emergency Phone Numbers

Nairobi Area Police Radio Control    272 4201, 272 4154

Police headquarters 271 7777

Pangani Flying Squad 376 1111

Police hotline 240 000

New Offices!

We are now located at 3rd Floor, Lengai House at Wilson Airport.

Phone Lines: 020-609737/8.

However, these are only offices and all training takes place at

Glen Edmunds Performance Driving School in Embakasi.

GIFT CERTIFICATES   FOR THE HOLIDAYS !

Car Preparation Tips for Rainy Weather

by Glen Edmunds

1. Don’t clean the screen with the same cloth as you use to clean the whole car. Road grime, polish, and wax deposits on the cloth can be wiped onto the screen and although the screen may look clean during the day, “just add water” and it becomes a whole different view, added to which driving in the rain at nigh with headlight coming toward you, and you will have the equivalent of snow blindness. Clean the screen with old newspaper, this will get the screen clean, with no deposits.

2. Wiper blades, change them regularly, next time your car goes for a service and the shop changes the blades don’t question the wisdom, new blades are a must, change every six months, and use a quality wiper blade.

3. Keep additive in the water for those pesky white ants that invariably draw to your screen by the thousands. Water on their own won’t cut through their fatty substance.

4. A vast majority of accidents in the rain are caused because the tyres are bald, always keep the good tyres on the front, they are the ones that cut through the water first and leave a “dry” line for the rears to follow.

5. Rotate your tyres regularly to keep an even wear.

6. Tyre pressure in the rain is critical; keep them at the recommended pressure.

7.Large heavy 4 x 4’s fitted with mud grip tyres will NOT give you as much grip as normal road tyres in the rain as there is a smaller “footprint” to stop in slippery conditions. You need as much tyre surface in contact with the road as possible. Hard bush suspension will only exaggerate bad handling in the rain.

Crime Area Alert

The Nation Newspaper recently reported that carjacking and home invasion have been on the increase the last 3 months.

Please keep in mind that the holidays are usually prime time for increased crime and carjacking. Concentration and constant vigilance are crucial!

One of our driving instructors was recently attacked in the Muthaiga area. He was apparently watched leaving a Muthaiga bank as he collected monthly advances for his staff. The group of armed men blocked the road near the Muthaiga shopping area and aimed weapons at his vehicle. He immediately reversed backwards and tried to elicit help from one of the local embassy’s residences. He was not allowed entry, but quickly rammed into the gate to sound the alarm and get help. This was not forth coming, and unfortunately, the gang, were able to block his exit point. Luckily, the instructor was not seriously injured and his vehicle was not taken, but the thieves absconded with all of his staff’s wages.

How To Avoid a Car-jacking.

The most important step to avoiding an attack is to stay alert at all times and be aware of your surroundings. Talking on your mobile phone when driving also distracts you from your environment and allows you to become a target. See more on cell phones and driving below.

The most likely places for a carjacking are:

1. High crime areas
2. Lesser traveled roads  
3. Intersections where you must stop
4. Isolated areas in parking lots
5. Residential driveways and gates
6. Traffic jams or congested areas

Learn to avoid these areas and situations if possible. If not, take steps to prevent an attack. In traffic, look around for possible avenues of escape. Know where all the safe havens are on your route. Keep some distance between you and the vehicle in front, if at all possible, so you can maneuver easily if necessary. You should always be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you.

If you think you are being followed, don’t go home. Go to the nearest police station, parked security vehicle, or other safe haven and report it. Don’t be afraid to be wrong or look foolish. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

When stopped, use your rear and side view mirrors to stay aware of your surroundings. Also keep your doors locked and windows up. This increases your safety and makes it more difficult for an attacker to surprise you. Look for the next issue of our newsletter which will give you more tips on Avoiding a Carjacking Incident.

Consider taking one of our anti-carjacking courses, which are full of life saving information. Glen Edmunds, our senior instructor, is a professional trainer and graduate of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Phoenix, Arizona where members from the CIA, FBI, Delta Force and others of that ilk are trained in disciplines such as anti-carjacking, counter terrorism, executive protection techniques and performance driving. Glen also graduated from STOOF International, in Amman Jordan, where he took courses in security driving, counter terrorism, close protection and armoured car training.

Contact us for details and course schedules.

We all joke about road rage, but the truth of the matter is that it is becoming a serious problem. Nairobi roads are becoming more and more heavily congested by the day and the infrastructure just can’t cope at the moment. That means people are stuck in traffic jams for longer and longer periods of time which means public service vehicles and others are using more and more harrowing alternative methods getting from A to B as fast as possible. This leads to increased stress levels and tempers flare easily.

I found the article below while surfing the web and thought it had a very interesting slant on the road rage issue…

Counting Idiots!

From Apply Now, Your Guide to Mental Health.

A Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Road Rage

Reports of road rage incidents are becoming more common as commutes become longer and highways become more congested. My own commute of 45 minutes to work each way can be stressful. I’ve reduced the stress that I experience in at least three ways:

    * I carpool one day a week.
    * I listen to audiobooks (from audible.com and other sources).
    * I count idiots.

This article will focus on the third technique, since not much has been written about it.

I’m sure that you’ve encountered drivers whose driving puts others at risk. Drivers who tailgate or who speed and weave in and out of lanes are examples of this. Road rage sometimes gets out-of-hand when other drivers react to this behavior. I’ve worked with clients who have followed discourteous drivers to their destination and started a fist fight with them.

Cognitive techniques for managing anger and other emotions usually includes modifying one’s expectations of others. If I have the expectation that “Everyone should drive defensively” then I am likely to get upset when I encounter drivers who don’t drive defensively. If I can soften my expectation, then my reaction will also soften. A more reasonable expectation might be along the lines of "It’s good to drive defensively, but I know that there are some idiots out there."

This is where "counting idiots" comes in. If you have a problem with road rage, try this technique when you drive:

1. Remind yourself of the expectation "It’s good to drive defensively, but I know that there are some idiots out there."

2. Keep a running count in your head of how many idiots you encounter on that trip.

3. Once you’ve labeled a driver as an idiot (along the lines of “There goes idiot number four.”) switch gears mentally and focus on the road ahead, the book you are listening to, the radio, or your passenger.

Labeling can be a powerful tool. Once we’ve labeled a thought we are no longer thinking it. We have stepped back a step. It’s much easier to let go at that point and to focus on other things. Try this simple but powerful technique to make your commute less stressful.

New Sponsors! Thuraya, recently re-branded as Indigo, and Monroe Shock Absorbers have joined our team of corporate sponsors! This means when you take one of our courses, you get coupons and valuable information from Thuraya/Indigo, Monroe Shock Absorbers, Pirelli Tyres, DT Dobie and Glen Edmunds Performance Auto Services.

Official Agents Kindly remember that we are official Thuraya Agent. Anyone wishing to purchase a Thuraya satellite phone can contact us direct. We are also an official CFAO DT Dobie Sales Representative. So if you want to buy a Mercedes, Nissan, or Jeep, we are here to help.

Highly Skilled, Professional Drivers

For Hire!

Do you need a fully qualified, highly skilled professional driver but don’t know where to find one? GEPDS  has an elite group of professional drivers for hire. Each driver is trained in the following disciplines: defensive driving, counter-carjacking, basic mechanics, 4wd instruction, first aid and chauffeur etiquette.  We guarantee properly trained, safe drivers. Leave the worry to us! Contact us if you are interested in reserving these drivers for yourself or jobs in your organization.