Safe driving training -The opening ride of the IFMR Slovenia and North Macedonia

The opening ride of the IFMR Slovenia and North Macedonia season was very special this year. For the first time in the twenty-year history of our organization, we started it with safe driving training at the AMZS safe driving center Vransko in Vransko.

Our mission is, among other things, to increase traffic safety, and safe driving training at the beginning of the season is a concrete step in this direction.We started the intensive training with a lecture and discussion on the theory of safe driving, which begins long before we hit the road with a motorcycle. We highlighted the importance of the proper psychophysical condition of the motorcyclist, the impeccable technical condition of the motorcycle, knowledge of the technical capabilities of the motorcycle and all its assistance systems, appropriate motorcycle equipment, and appropriate driving techniques. We also analyzed traffic accidents last year in which a motorcyclist was involved and found that most of them were caused by the motorcyclist.The theory was followed by intensive training on the driving range, where we practiced turns with the motorcycle counter-leaning technique, which has many advantages compared to the leaning with the bike technique. We upgraded the technique by using the rear brake and practiced it on a sharp 180-degree turning range. Interesting and challenging!

After lunch together, we continued the training by avoiding obstacles, avoiding obstacles with preliminary braking, and we finished the driving range work by braking until the motorcycle stopped completely. No one was left indifferent by the length of the braking distance.IFMR members often ride in groups, so proper driving technique and compliance with the rules of driving in a group are especially important for safety, so we finished the safe driving training with a group ride on the roads around Vransko under the guidance and watchful eye of an instructor, who gave us a driving assessment and suggestions for improvements after the ride.

Upon our return to the Safe Driving Center, AMZS awarded us with diplomas, which was a wonderful introduction to the ceremonial part of the day, when we welcomed a new member who would share the roads, friendship, and Rotary mission with us. After the oath and a warm welcome to the new member, we, thinking of the road that still separated us from home, renounced the sparkling baptism and made the decision that in the future we will open each season with a safe driving training.