Drive to Survive

by Curt Rich

Book Overview

It's a hostile world out there What do you do if you're being followed or harassed in your car? This dynamic guide teaches you evasive driving techniques such as the legendary bootlegger hairpin,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760305250
• ISBN13: 9780760305256
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Motorbooks International
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The best offense is a good defense

The book can be summarized: 1) Understand the colour coding system. White is generally where most of us are...oblivious. When driving be relaxed but constantly aware in code yellow. Code orange is a specific threat such as being cut off. Code red is danger such as impending impact or carjacking. 2) Adjust your mirrors properly and ALWAYS be aware of who is behind and to your sides. If you are being followed switch to code orange and make 3 right turns to confirm that you are being followed. Go to a fire or police station. Never go home. 3) Practice threshold braking and understand that it is much better to brake fast and hard initially then ease off on braking then the reverse. 4) Wear seatbelts 5) Avoid the use of cellular phones but keep one with you in case of emergencies. 6) RELAX! Never succumb to road rage. This is not only foolish but could get you killed. If someone cuts you off or engages in offensive driving habits let it go. Don't try to get even. Try to be invisible. 7) Basic habits to avoid carjacking are elucidated: a) Situational awareness. Use your instincts. If something feels wrong it probably is. b) Lock your call and roll up the windows c) Have your keys out and ready to use d) Be extra vigilant at gas stations e) Be extra vigilant if rear ended. It may not be an "accident" rather a felony in progress. f) Be extra vigilant approaching your home and in your garage g) Keep your vehicle in good repair The author also suggests items that should be in your emergency car kit like flashlights, knives, hammer tools, handcuff keys, etc. Various car maneuvers are described, however, these are best learned by experience and training.

Synergy: Defensive Mindset & Driving

Curt Rich offers an effective synthesis of practical driving skills and the defensive mindset, which makes this book one of the best on the subject. The techniques he explains are placed in a real-world context for drivers who spend their time not on the racetrack but on the road. If you have studied martial arts or defensive shooting, this book represents an extension of the mindset you developed there to your life behind the wheel. The previous reviewer, no doubt with good intentions, has misunderstood the nature of the book, which is not to teach drivers how to diffuse road rage, but rather how to deal with every potentially dangerous situation on the road. Remember, in the unlikely event that you are being pursued, no amount of passivity will solve the problem. Mr Rich has addressed the question from the standpoint of how to deal with *real* threats, the kind that don't disappear just because you refuse to make eye contact.

'Drive to Survive' should be required reading

'Drive to Survive' should be required readingThis is an excellent book on many levels. Curt has taken Colonel Cooper's color code, adapted it to the road, and added proper day-to-day driving tips, as well as high performance survival driving techniques, and turned out a fantastic book. For years, ever since my API 250 class, I have been saying that defensive driving is 'condition yellow' behind the wheel. This mindset has saved me money, because I have avoided citations for moving violations by revenue collectors. More importantly, it saved me from several potential collisions, where I (and loved ones) could have been killed or seriously injured. Years later, I would hear that attitude echoed in the words of my flight instructor: See and avoid. In addition to Curt's advice regarding everyday driving, he has some valuable insight into those 'close range interpersonal conflict' situations which can occur in, or around, your car. Drawing on his experience as a combat veteran, an API graduate, and an SCCA champion, Curt Rich shows readers (through photographs and line drawings) the high performance techniques which may save your life, if you need to use your automobile to escape criminal predation... or to counter-attack. These high performance driving techniques must be practiced, in order to be most effective. Perhaps many readers may choose not to conduct these sort of exercises, and that's certainly their choice. Even so, there is a wealth of knowledge to gain by reading this book, and applying the more general techniques to everyday driving should help to greatly reduce the risk of a collision. As Curt points out, it doesn't matter if the collision was the other guy's fault if you're the one who ends up in the hospital, or the morgue. Heed Curt's advice and you'll probably prevent yourself from falling victim to the mistakes of other drivers, whether those unsafe drivers are stupid, drunk, aggressive, or just not paying attention... I finished reading the book last night, and now I'm going to loan it to my girlfriend.Read this book, and... Drive to Survive!

Great book! DTS is a must-read! I'll buy 15 more copies!

I really enjoyed "Drive To Survive", because it is apparent from word-one that author Curt Rich knows what he is talking about. As a former SCCA National Rally winner and combat shooting veteran, he presents decades of real-world driving experience in direct language that is both engaging and funny.Rich covers everything from mirror positions (betcha don't know the right answer to this one) to everyday commuting strategies that will help you avoid being an accident victim--both unintentional accidents and staged, intentional accidents that are a pretext for insurance scams or worse (car jackings).I have attended driving schools and this book, DTS, is far more realistic in conveying information that "connects" with drivers of ALL ages--from 15 to 80. If you're smart enough to own ANY of the following--a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, radon gas detector, alarm system, self-defense firearm, etc.--you can profit from what's in this book to have a safer, more secure environment EVERY SINGLE DAY.Be forewarned--you might as well buy multiple copies because you'll want to have extras to pass out to anyone you care about. I'm getting 15 copies to give as gifts to my family and friends. As that cajun cook says, "I GARE-RON-TEE you won't be disappointed."PND

Excellent instruction manual for defensive driving

This book is must reading for all teenage drivers. Mr. Rich effectively outlines the dangers, and the techniques to avoid these dangers in a fast-paced, easy to read (especially for teenage boys)instructional manual. His common sense directions, particularly the "color system" is invaluable. My 19 and 16 year old boys read the book and are utilizing it's principles. I sleep better at night.