Episode 3 Driving Academy

Four children fed up with their parents' driving.

Dad, you're driving too fast!

Four parents who have slipped into bad habits.

Darren knocked it down and smashed it up!

Just seven days left to change their ways,

before facing the ultimate driving test and our Examiner Sandra.

We nearly had the car in the goal but not the ball.

Last time, we were witness to some diabolical reversing.

There was plenty of in-car frustrations...

Dad, you just put me off!

..and driving that was way off target.

Will these parents ever learn? Will these parents ever be safer drivers?

It's Day 3 at the Driving Academy.

Sandra was meant to pick me up this morning.

I'm Joe Swash, and this is Driving Academy.

Coming at you from wonderful Wales.

We've just got seven days to sort out our parents' bad driving habits.

So, come on, guys, who's going to give me a lift?

Let's go!

Coming up: Brake!

Our rookies don't know when to stop.

And will their parents' driving ever improve?

Brake!

Look out, Cliff!

Don't miss the nail-biting Superskills Challenge.

And the crashes get worse with silly stuntman Mr C behind the wheel.

Today's Driving Academy is set to test our teams reflexes

and powers of concentration to the limits.

And this is where it all begins - The Learner Lesson.

Each day at the academy we have been teaching our rookies

a different element of road safety, and today it's emergency braking.

Although our rookies obviously can't drive on public roads,

here, at the academy's top secret test centre, anything is possible.

In charge of our learner lessons is elite driving instructor,

Vicky Lovell.

With 24 years of instructing under her belt

she knows every angle of road safety.

We hope to teach the kids that an emergency stop

is a really, really useful tool.

Throughout the lesson, Vicky has set of dual controls

so our rookies are always safe.

In this lesson, it's all about the emergency stop.

-First up, it's Molly.

-A little bit of gas. Not too much.

She's got to drive straight at the barrier

and brake before she hits it when Vicky says, "Stop!"

She looks terrified!

Stop.

In a real emergency, this technique allows a driver to stop safely.

I kept slowing down when I saw the wall coming.

But other than that, I think I did OK.

Stopping safely and slowing down are skills

Molly is desperate to pass on to her gung ho driving dad, Andy.

You've got people that are sticking to the speed limit

and my dad rushing down the road like there's no tomorrow.

I wish he'd slow down but he won't.

It's all about competition at the end of the day.

If you do it quicker than the next man, you're a better man.

So far Andy's macho attitude has caused friction in the camp.

-Pick one out, you.

-You're driving!

Can the Academy help Molly teach her dad that his attitude has to change?

Right, time for Molly's second run.

She's starting slowly again.

Towards me a little bit. Just keep the gas there.

Don't brake till I tell you.

-Can I brake now?

-Stop.

Now, you see, we are still a long way away!

Molly doesn't take any chances,

let's hope she passes the message on.

Next up, Jono. Will lesson number 3

be another smooth run for captain confident?

-Stop.

-Car's coming...

Good! Well done!

Crash avoided!

Which is more than I can say for his nervous mum Michelle,

who has a collection of dents and bumps already.

Oh, now I've got to try and look where I'm going.

Being nervous on the roads makes me drive a lot slower.

I'm always looking out for things coming towards me.

Michelle, you need to try looking a little harder,

we've seen some shocking collisions whilst you've been at the academy.

Hopefully Jono can learn some things today that will help you

get back on track and improve your confidence.

Stop. Stop!

Well done! You didn't hit the wall!

Oh! You've stalled!

That was great, Jono. Just a shame about stalling the car!

If my mum had to do this challenge, then...

her reactions are OK, but I predict she'd probably go into the barrier

at least at about 20 miles per hour.

Manisha is up third and about to attempt her emergency stop.

I'm a little bit worried though.

She is the most nervous of all the rookie drivers.

Keep going. I haven't said it. Keep going.

Stop.

Oh!

Vick has taught me it's important to brake, very firmly,

and brake smoothly, so it doesn't affect any other passengers.

But it's not just Manisha

who needs to learn to drive smoothly and carefully.

Dad, you're driving too fast.

Manisha will probably say,

"Dad's driving too fast, he's going to hit somebody."

But, within myself, I've got the confidence to control the car.

It's important to me that I show my dad the safer way of driving.

He's been lucky a few times, but his luck is about to run out.

The academy needs to change Cliff's attitude to road safety.

With two days gone, and no passes so far in the challenges,

there's a lot of work to do.

If Manisha can overcome her nerves,

she can set a safe driving example to dad Cliff.

I'm scared!

Brake and clutch.

-Oh, I did it!

-Good girl, well done.

Yes! That's more like it, perfect!

I kept calm and thought, "Don't be scared, you can do this."

And it all came really well!

Last up, it's Rhys, and he doesn't normally hang about.

Not too much, not too much.

Look what you're doing, look at the wall.

Oh, sounds a bit fast!

Stop!

Wooo! Only inches from the barrier.

I bet I'm really close.

Looks like Rhys has picked up his mother's reckless road style.

The worst part of my driving is probably lack of concentration.

On the way to school, we've got spellings to do,

I've got shopping lists to make, I've got children to sort out.

Sarah's got a long way to go before becoming a safer driver.

Give it welly. Give it a bash, but brake.

I did get told off for encouraging Rhys to give it a bit of welly.

All well and good in this game, but not in the real world.

Second run for Rhys and it looks like he's giving it some welly!

Stop!

Whoa!

Oh, you hit it! Did you brake hard enough?

Yeah, I pushed it down flat!

It made me feel quite scared

that could have been a car, and we would have demolished it.

Rhys needs to calm down and concentrate

to help his mum be a better driver.

My mum usually brakes like that because she's usually braking late.

Now I know she's wrong and you're not supposed to brake like that.

Some nervous driving there. Can they remember what they learnt

in their lessons, and pass those safety tips onto their parents?

They'll need all the help they can get to pass our high speed,

fast-braking Superskills Challenge later in the show.

Bam!

So, you don't want to miss it.

Now, here's a question. What's one of the biggest causes of accidents?

Surprisingly, it's to do with what goes on on the inside of a car.

One slight loss of concentration can make the difference between

being a safe driver and a dangerous driver.

So, all you mums and dads out there, don't be a dummy!

Meet the biggest dummy at the Driving Academy.

Whenever this guy gets behind the wheel,

he can't keep his eyes on the road, and it always leads to one thing,

which is why we call him Mr Crash.

What will distract him today?

It looks like he has a bottle of water in his hand,

a bag of sticky toffees,

and finally, his trusty pineapple! Very fruity, Mr C!

First, our teams get a look around and try and work out

which of today's potential distractions will make Mr C crash.

This isn't for points, so you can play along.

What about the toffees?

Good spot. Those toffees look tempting. If Mr C unwraps one,

that could be dangerous.

Why is there a pineapple?!

You may well ask, Jono!

You should put anything loose safely in the boot of the car.

So, the sweets or the pineapple.

And a bottle of water. He's going drink, isn't he?

Mr C definitely shouldn't have a bottle of water in his hand.

If you need a drink or something to eat, always pull over.

I'd better check the road is clear.

Someone's left all these barrels here! This could cause an accident.

That can mean only one thing. Mr C's on his way! I better scarper!

A tower of multi-coloured barrels. Mr C must see those.

Trouble is, this guy gets distracted by his own shadow!

With all the possible distractions, I don't fancy his chances.

Remember, all three objects could be dangerous.

There's a bottle of water in his hand,

those tempting chewy toffees,

and, finally, that unusual pineapple passenger.

Last chance to guess which one.

Off he goes.

What's Mr C doing?

Oh no! He's dropped a bottle of water!

It's rolled underneath his brake pedal. Watch out, Mr C!

Did you guess right at home?

He crashed because he dropped a bottle of water.

You could say he bottled it!

Mr C is a fully trained stunt driver

and all his crashes are performed by experts.

Don't be a dummy, don't try this at home!

An amazing Superskills Challenge is coming up soon,

but first, before you even get near a car,

you need to learn the rules of the road - The Highway Code.

Our teams have been studying them for The Highway Quiz.

Teams, today's Highway Quiz is called "A Walk on the Wild Side".

It's about names given to crossings in the UK.

Road crossings come in many different forms,

but they're always the safest place to cross a road.

This is a tricky test, but our teams have been swotting up.

A lot of crossings are named after animals. Dummies, reveal the boards.

We have got five diagrams of crossings,

and 20 animals.

Match the animals to the diagrams,

and get three out of five to win The Highway Quiz badge.

Are you ready, guys? Let's take it away!

The teams have five animals to match to five types of crossings.

They have 45 seconds to do it.

First up, this one's marked with a stripy walkway. That's a big clue.

A zebra.

Yep, that's right, Cliff. It's a zebra crossing!

This is the one where you press a button and wait for the green man.

A donkey crossing? A giraffe crossing?

No, Sarah! You'll find a pelican crossing fits the bill here.

Number three is for cyclists and pedestrians.

In fact two can cross - get it? Toucan crossing!

Rhino crossing? Where, apart from Africa?

Why would you need the button so high?

If you're a horse rider this one's for you - it's the Pegasus crossing.

If you see red and green man signals on your side of the pavement,

you're probably about to use the puffin crossing.

KLAXON BLARES

Teams, step away from the boards. Your time's up.

Let's find out the answers.

Number one is a zebra.

You have all done very well.

Jono and Michelle, well done.

Number two is a pelican crossing.

Yes, a lot of groans going on.

We've got a donkey crossing!

A penguin crossing? You at the back are taking the mick!

-A hippo crossing!?

-It was the pelican's day off.

None of you got that one right.

Number three is a toucan crossing.

I can see one winner.

It's Molly and Andy. Well done!

The rest of you, unfortunately you got that wrong.

The fourth one is a Pegasus crossing. I'm looking at your faces.

It's a winged horse. You all got that wrong, unfortunately.

The final one is a puffin crossing.

I'm having a little look along the line...

Jono and Michelle got that wrong.

Cliff, you got that one wrong.

Beaver crossing?!

I have never heard... Andy, was that your idea?

No, it was mine.

Your idea?

Sarah and Rhys, you got a penguin crossing.

You all were wrong.

I can tell you, none of you has passed!

None of you will be getting a badge.

At home, if you see a safe place to cross at a crossing, use it -

it's better to be safe than sorry.

What a terrible performance from our teams.

They've got some serious swotting up to do.

The moment has finally arrived. It's time for the Superskills Challenge.

Braking point.

Our teams must drive down this road and brake after the yellow line.

Hopefully, they'll stop here, in the scoring zone.

Each team will have four goes, and need over 100 points.

Failure means only one thing - a mucky forfeit.

The rules are simple - the car has a speed limiter,

which means parents can't go faster than 50mph,

and kids can't go over 30.

The aim is to make a safe stop with the arrow at the front of the car

in the scoring zone, without knocking over the barrels.

Each driver has two runs - the pass mark is 100.

They'll be watched over by the lady with the power to pass or fail them.

The Driving Academy's Chief Examiner's word is final.

If Sandra says fail, there's no arguing!

What Sandra doesn't know about road safety isn't worth knowing.

Out there, there can be rain, there can be ice.

Trying to stop is not easy.

The teams had better beware as they take on the Superskills Challenge.

Sandra, what are you going to be looking for from our teams?

Today, it's a braking exercise.

Most people underestimate how long it takes to stop a car.

What we want to see is good, safe braking. Let's see how we go.

Each team gets four runs - two for the parents and two for the kids.

100 points are needed.

The purples are up first, and they need a pass more than anybody.

It's important that we pass.

We've failed twice in a row. I don't want a third one.

I really want to do well and try and get a certificate,

so Manisha doesn't have to do another forfeit.

It's in your hands, Cliff. Here we go.

First, accelerate to 50mph.

Try to reach 30 or 40.

Cliff needs to decide where to start his emergency stop.

This is big test of judgment.

Oh, Cliff!

Oh, so close!

It was close and it's a big fat zero.

In the real world, that would have been a crash.

That goes to show, 50mph, you need time to stop.

Sorry, Cliff. You got zero.

Come on, get a grip!

Here they come for their second run.

They've got nil points for the first go, so they need these points.

The teams need to get a total of 100 points,

so Cliff really needs to score, or it'll all be on Manisha's shoulders.

Cliff!

You got 50 points!

Incredible, Cliff!

50 points in the bag!

So, Manisha only needs another 50 on her two runs. Can she do it?

First, over to the Greens who are feeling positive.

Mum might do well at the superskill because it's emergency braking -

she usually does that.

I do tend to lose concentration, which is my main bad habit,

so sometimes I have to brake quite late.

It's those habits we're trying to help you with! Concentrate!

Sarah, unfortunately you stopped a little bit short,

just outside of the scoring zone, so you've got zero points.

'At least it was safe. Let's try again.'

I'm thinking she's going to maybe try and overdo it this time

and maybe overcompensate for the last one. Here we go.

TYRES SCREECH

-Whoa!

-Ooh!

Sarah, unfortunately you hit the barrels,

which means you get zero points.

'Sarah's crashed out, scoring no points.

'That means she's left it all to Rhys. He has to score maximum

'on both his runs to pass.'

'Before that, over to the Orange team,

-'who think they have a good chance.'

-I'm pretty confident

about the Superskill because my dad always drives really, really fast.

Because he drives fast he has to emergency brake a lot.

There's no way in this world that we're going to fail again,

because cleaning that car yesterday was awful.

'We know Andy's confident but let's see whether his control

'and judgment are improving.'

THEY CHEER

Well done, Dad. Get in!

50 points!

Oh, yes!

'What a start! halfway to a pass already.

'More of the same, please, Andy!

Here comes Andy for his second attempt.

I think Molly's a bit worried.

I think she's realising this is not necessarily

as much fun as she thought it was.

THEY CHEER

Yes! Brilliant!

You have scored 20 points.

'That's a fantastic 70 points.

'What an amazing show of concentration from a usually

'reckless Andy, leaving Molly with just 30 points to pass.

'Will she do it? But before then it's the Blue team's turn.

I'm quite confident cos my mum tends to brake quite a lot

when she's really hesitant.

I am going to be extremely nervous about going at a certain speed

and then coming to a sudden halt.

But I hope we pass. I don't want to be doing the forfeit.

'Let's keep working on those nerves, Michelle. You can do it!'

THEY CHEER

Jono and Michelle, you have got 20 points.

'Brilliant start. What a real confidence boost!'

Here comes Michelle for her second go.

I don't know if she'll go for it

or if she might hold off this time.

It's a very difficult task, is this.

-You can't really even learn how to do it.

-Here she goes.

'Come on, Michelle.'

Oh! Oh, unlucky!

Michelle, unfortunately you hit our barrels,

which means you get zero points.

'20 points for Michelle.

'It's a good start but it leaves Jono a lot of work to do

'to get a pass.

'We're halfway there and it's all down to the kids now.

'Swap time. And let's see how the scores stand.

'The Purples are halfway there with 50.

'The Greens are not looking great on zero.

'The Oranges are close, with a massive 70.

'And the Blues are off the blocks with 20.

'Remember, they're looking for a total of 100 points.

'The kids are up next and their cars are speed limited

'to 30 miles an hour.

'First up is Manisha, who needs 50 points from her two goes.'

-That's it, keep going.

-'Lots of advice from Cliff in the back.'

Keep going, keep going.

Hit the brakes!

TYRES SCREECH

Oh, you did what your daddy said and you braked too early.

Unfortunately you stopped a bit short,

so you'll be getting zero points.

'Manisha's way off the scoring zone there,

'thanks to Dad's bad advice in the back seat,

'so she needs a maximum 50 points to reach her pass mark of 100.'

Here comes Manisha, her second attempt. Cliff got 50 points,

-she needs to get maximum points.

-She does, Joe.

The hardest part of this challenge is actually gauging

when to stop to get on that score board.

Keep going, keep going.

'Oh, Cliff's advising again!'

TYRES SCREECH

Unfortunately, Manisha, you didn't reach the scoring zone.

You get another zero.

'Disappointment for the Purples as they finish on 50 points

'and fail the Superskills Challenge for the third time.

'Over to the Greens now, and it's all on Rhys.

'Thanks to mum Sarah, who scored nothing,

'he needs 50 points from both runs to pass.

'In the learner lesson, Rhys ploughed into the barriers

'If he does that now he'll score nothing. No pressure, then(!)'

I imagine Rhys is feeling the pressure.

He needs to get maximum points from these attempts

because his mum didn't get any.

That's a lot to ask. I have a feeling he's a brave little soldier.

I think he's going to try and go for this.

Accelerate a little bit, Rhys.

'More advice going on from the back seat here.'

Now!

'Oh! Oh, it's just short of the grid!'

Rhys, unfortunately you never made it to the scoring zone,

so no points. 'Oh, dear, the Greens have failed.

'But at least Rhys showed some commendable caution.

'Final score zero points.

'That means they're out of the challenge.

'Molly's up next for the Orange team,

'and she only needs 30 points from her next two runs to pass.'

Here comes Molly. I think being a passenger

might have shaken her up a bit.

It's interesting because, as long as Andy doesn't distract her

and they don't start this sort of banter together again.

Here she comes.

'Look at her face. Incredible concentration.

Can she do it?'

THEY CHEER

Molly, you have scored 30 points.

Well done!

-Yes! Well done!

-That's fantastic, you beautiful girl.

'Amazing ! Our first team to pass today.

'Well done, guys!

'Jono's up last and the Blues need a massive 80 points.

'Jono's won both of the previous days' challenges,

'despite Mum's driving,

'but 80 points is a big ask to avoid that messy forfeit.'

Here comes Jono with his first attempt.

I think he feels it's a bit of an uphill struggle,

but it's definitely doable still.

The strange thing about this task is it's completely unnatural.

When, on the real road, would you ever be asked

to charge at a brick wall and try and stop before you hit it?

Here he comes.

THEY CHEER

Jono,

you got 30 points. Well done! Which means you're on 50 points.

50 more points and you've passed.

'Wow, they're back in the game, but only just.

'Those 30 points, added to mum Michelle's 20,

'makes 50 points so far.

'It's all down to Jono's second run.'

Here comes Jono, on his final approach.

This is what he's looking for - a big five-oh, 50.

If he gets a 50 he gets to pass.

Yeah, and I'm wondering if he's going to go all-out

-to try and achieve this.

-Come on, Jono.

'Jono's got to score a maximum of 50 points to pass.

'Those barrels are so close to the 50, there's no margin for error.'

TYRES SCREECH

THEY CHEER

Yes, Jono!

Well done, Jono. You've done it. Well done, mister.

Well done. I'm so proud of you.

'Unbelievable! What a result! Jono's really saved his mum on this one.

'Time now for the all-important examiner's verdict.'

Cliff, are you surprised how fast it felt

and how much distance it took to stop?

Yes, it felt so fast. The barrels came so quickly.

I just touched them.

In reality it would have been a disaster.

Sandra, what did you think?

Because of the way the challenge is set up, you have failed it,

so you didn't make the maximum 100 points.

Manisha, you're looking glum. I just want you to know you were my hero.

That was two fantastically solid and safe emergency stops.

I'm very proud of you both.

'That's a real shame, guys.

'It means the Purples have yet to get their first pass.'

When you fail, you know what you've done wrong

and you can learn from that. And that makes me feel better.

I think me and Manisha are absolutely gutted

about doing the forfeit. We have to do it for a third day.

Sarah, the first attempt, you came up short. The second was

too far. Are you surprised at the difference

a couple of seconds in braking makes?

-Yes, it's frightening.

-Sandra, what did you make of it?

Rhys, your braking was great.

I know you didn't get into the scoring zone

but I think you would have braked a bit later

-if you hadn't had some distraction from the back seat.

-Now!

So what have you learnt?

Not to be a back seat driver and don't listen to back seat drivers.

Well done. That's what we like to hear.

'Disappointment for the Greens, with only one pass so far.

'But a valuable lesson learnt.

I think he's quite annoyed that, as a back seat driver,

he listened to me when he shouldn't have done.

Molly, Andy, this teamwork, it's so much more improved,

and it was impressive that Andy, as a passenger,

was perfect, wasn't he?

He was quiet, he allowed you to keep calm,

to keep cool and to do the task in hand.

-And that is a pass.

-Oh, thank you. Well done, Moll.

'Some great teamwork means that's their second pass of the series.'

I'm really proud of myself because I didn't think I would do it

and I did it.

Brilliant, hit it, 30 miles an hour. Little Molly came up with the goods.

100 points - get in there!

Well, that is what I call teamwork.

Jono, you couldn't have done it without your mum's 20 points.

And Mum, you couldn't have done it without Jono's 80 points.

-How are you feeling?

-Over the moon.

I'm so chuffed. Sandra, what did you think of them?

This team is working so well together, they really are.

Michelle, is this the same Michelle? The confidence, the improvement -

and it's because you're planning and thinking.

-Well done. Fantastic.

-Well done, guys.

'More great teamwork means the Blues have passed all three challenges.'

As we keep doing the Superskills, Mum's gaining a lot of confidence

and she's becoming a lot better driver.

-I'm really, really proud for her.

-He came up trumps.

I got only 20 and he scored the rest of the points that we needed.

I'm just so proud of him.

'So this is how our teams are doing

'so far in the Superskills Challenges.

'Rhys and Sarah are struggling with one pass,

'Molly and Andy have scraped there with two passes,

'Jono and Michelle have picked up three passes in three days.

'Sadly, Manisha and Cliff will have to work

'a lot harder as they still have no passes at all.'

Right, teams, let's get down to business.

Firstly I've got a pass for Molly and Andy. Congratulations.

-Well done today.

-Thank you.

-You were amazing.

Second, I've got one for Jono and Michelle, the early leaders.

-100% record, keep it up. Brilliant stuff.

-Thank you.

As for you guys, you know what's happening now? It's forfeit time.

Here are your brushes, go and get cleaning!

Put your back into it as well. I want that spotless.

'Whilst they get stuck into my ketchup-covered car,

'check out what we've got for you next time.

'Something or someone gets Cliff really rattled.

You have to stop or I'll ask you to leave the car.

-'We've got surprises in the Learner Lesson.'

-You scared me then.

'Distraction turns to disaster again for Mr C.

'And check out the strangest back seat drivers you've ever seen.'

There are only a few days left before our teams face

the ultimate driving test.

Join us next time on Driving Academy. Until then, stay safe!

It absolutely stinks.

It's all your fault, Mum.

Manisha, are we going to do it tomorrow? It's horrible.

-You can't keep doing this.

-We're used to it now, we do it every day.

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