An updated police driver training manual has recently been launched by ACPO and the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS). Major changes to the new driving manual include advice on ‘eco-driving’ and new modules for pursuit training in line with ACPO pursuit guidance. The manual provides police force driving schools with a framework allowing them to develop a course based on the National Police Driving Standards. The standards were developed to ensure that police drivers are trained to a common minimum level and possess the skills required to drive police vehicles safely and competently in a range of road, traffic and weather conditions. Ian Shannon, an Assistant Chief Constable with North Wales Police and head of ACPO’s work on driver training, said: “Driver training is comprehensive and robust and the importance of safety and proportionality is a key feature of police driver training courses. Courses are designed to equip the students with the knowledge and skills required for effective operational deployment and meet the demands of modern policing. Students are usually trained in live road conditions, in order to give them the most appropriate driver training available. Not only are drivers trained to a very high standard but control room staff are also aware of the need for safety when dispatching officers to the thousands of incidents which police respond to daily. “Any incident involving a police vehicle that results in a fatality or injury of a member of the public, is investigated and appropriate action taken.” The training modules include pre-driving checks, judging speed and vehicle control, stress and attitude, responding to emergencies, anticipating driving situations, recognition of real and potential hazards, and the pursuit and stopping of vehicles.