Episode 5 Driving Academy

Four children fed up with their parents' driving.

I said pull in there, there, there or there! But you wouldn't have it!

Four parents who have slipped into bad habits.

Just five days left to change their ways,

before they face the ultimate driving test and our examiner.

Last time there were shocks and surprises,

smashes and crashes,

and some incredibly annoying in-car distractions.

Stop, or you have to leave the car.

But the tables are beginning to turn.

As one team endures their first forfeit,

another celebrates their first pass of the series.

The pressure's still on and the Academy's about to get even tougher.

It's Day 5 of the Driving Academy.

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

coming at you from the wonderful St Athan in Wales.

We've only got five days to sort out our parents'

bad driving behaviour - and I need to get my driving licence.

This is doing nothing for my street cred. Let's go!

Coming up: Watch out, Mr C!

Will our rookies ever learn how to steer in a straight line?

Whoa, what happened there?

Will their parents' driving ever improve?

Today the teams need to judge their speed without a speedo -

surely an impossible Superskills Challenge.

Each day at the Academy we teach our rookies

a different element of road safety to pass on to their parents.

Today it's all about judging your speed

and the all-important speed limits.

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 lessons is elite driving instructor, Vicky Lovell.

She knows every angle of road safety.

Throughout the lesson Vicky has set of dual controls

so our rookies are always safe.

Our first driver today is Manisha.

After a shaky start she seems to be relaxing behind the wheel.

We're going to take the second left.

-OK.

-So check behind you... No, no, no, in the mirror, darling.

As Vicky gets Manisha to increase her speed,

will her nerves get the better of her?

Get off the grass, darling. Off the grass.

On the brakes for the junction, on the brakes.

It's harder than it looks.

There's a certain someone that always drives Manisha round the bend

when it comes to speed.

My dad's worst habit is speeding.

Maybe I should be a little bit more conscious of the speed I'm doing.

But I think I drive to the road conditions.

On Day 4, the Purples picked up their very first pass mark.

They are now as determined as ever to avoid any more forfeits.

But to do that Manisha really has to sort out that terrible steering.

Now brake, off the gas.

Good. Now just brake a little bit.

Look round the corner where we're going.

This lesson allows our rookies

to experience driving at various speeds.

This way they can learn to appreciate

which speeds are appropriate and safe for different road conditions.

That's better.

Next time I'm in the car I'm going to make sure

what the speed limit is.

Molly's next and hopefully she can pick up

some tips on judging speed to help her team secure a pass later.

-Go up past the thingy?

-Yeah.

It's vital for our rookies to learn how important it is to be observant.

-Oh, that way?

-Cos that's the side we drive on, isn't it?

-Sorry.

Molly's picked up a few good tips to pass on to her dad,

and does he need it!

I have written off three cars in my first year of driving.

One of them was not my fault, the second one involved me

crashing into a bus full of passengers.

It's never a smooth ride, being in the car with my dad.

You always want to get out and just walk.

Well, with three passes under their belts already,

the Academy must be doing something right,

but there's a long way to go

to be ready for that Ultimate Driving Test.

So, what do we need to do before we get to the bend?

-Slow down.

-Right, so you're in charge, aren't you?

You're driving the car.

Even though my dad's driving is ridiculous,

I shouldn't wind him up because he'll lose his concentration

and I could be the one causing the crash.

OK, Rhys next. So far he's shown some reckless tendencies

that we think he's probably picked up from his mum, Sarah.

Look round the corner, make sure it's clear, and go round the corner.

Off the grass, quickly!

Whoa! What happened there?

I just turned a bit too far and didn't get it back.

Vicky wants to show him how to drive safely

so he can pass the message on to his mum.

She needs all the help she can get.

I reversed onto my drive and smashed the wing mirror on my right gate

on the Monday, which my husband repaired on the Tuesday.

Unfortunately, on the Wednesday I reversed into the same drive

and broke the other wing mirror, which my husband refuses to replace.

Rhys and his mum have already had two Superskill fails so far,

and really need to improve their car control

if they're going to graduate from the Academy as safer road users.

And finally, it's Jono.

He's taken the learner lessons in his stride

but will today be any different?

You're going to be turning right at the end,

so is there anyone behind you?

Signal right. Tell me, is there any cars coming in either direction?

No.

Very observant.

Hopefully, you can pass that new found knowledge on to your mum,

who desperately needs help.

I've had many accidents now and reversed into things.

My car has now been repaired at the back, I've had a new bumper,

I've had a new side door and I've had a new wing on the car.

It's amazing that the Blues have managed to get three passes

at the Academy already.

However, both Jono and Michelle's observation

left a lot to be desired on Day 4

when they both bombed out of the road sign Superskill Challenge.

For them to avoid the mucky forfeit today,

Jono will need to help his mum with that all-important road awareness.

The objective was thinking and looking.

I definitely did the looking part but it takes a lot of thinking as well.

You can look, but you need to think about where you're looking.

Some good and some very bad driving from our learners, there.

Let's just hope that they was all paying attention.

Later, our teams will be facing a test of their speed awareness

in our souped-up speed camera Superskill test.

Back to another menace of the roads, distraction.

Do you know it's one of the key reasons

that drivers lose control and cause accidents?

Now, if you're one of those people I've got a message for you -

don't be a dummy!

When it comes to being easily distracted,

there's one driver who's the biggest dummy of them all.

We call him Mr Crash, with good reason.

Whenever this guy is behind the wheel

he just can't keep his eyes on the road and it always ends badly.

The question is, what's going to distract him today?

Firstly he's left a pillow on the passenger seat.

He's put a sandwich near his gear stick.

And finally, there's a camera next to the pillow.

Say "cheese", Mr C!

First, our teams get a quick look around

to try and work what one of today's potential distractions

will cause Mr C to crash.

This isn't for points, so why don't you play along too?

-Sandwich.

-Good spot, Rhys.

Never be tempted to eat or drink whilst driving.

If your parents feel hungry, always persuade them to pull over safely.

The pillow, I don't think the pillow is going to be much of...

-Unless she wants to go to sleep.

-You never know, Andy,

the sight of the pillow could make Mr C dozy,

and falling asleep at the wheel can be a killer.

-Nice camera.

-Yeah, you're right, Jono.

A camera could roll on the floor and underneath the pedal

if Mr C brakes sharply.

Always stow away loose objects safely and out of harm's way.

I'd better check to see if the road is clear ahead.

Well, I never! A drum kit in the middle of the road?

Let's have a go.

Uh-oh, I think I might have woke up Mr C, and you know what that means.

That's a nice drum kit, I wouldn't mind keeping it.

Surely he won't crash into that?

But this is Mr C, crashing is his name and distraction is his game.

Those drums don't have a chance.

So here's a quick reminder of those three hazards.

There's a pillow if he feels tired,

a tasty sandwich, and of course his trusty camera.

Which one do you think will cause Mr C to crash today?

Off he goes.

Oi, steady on the accelerator, Mr C.

You're going a bit fast, Mr C!

Oh, no. He's feeling a bit peckish. He's gone for the sandwich!

Watch out, Mr C!

Did you guess right?

He tried to eat his sandwich. Oh, crumbs, Mr C!

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 very soon.

But first, before you can even get near a car

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

Our teams have been studying furiously

for the next part of the show, the Highway Quiz.

-Hello, teams.

-Hello.

Today's Highway Quiz is called Quick Thinking.

You may have guessed

it's about how fast you can go without breaking the law.

In front of you, you have speed signs to write answers on.

I've got questions for the adults and questions for the kids.

You need to get three out of five right to win this,

the Highway Quiz badge.

-ALL:

-Oooh!

That's anywhere with street lights.

You all finished? Can you reveal your answers, please?

OK, Michelle, 30 mile an hour? You're right. Well done.

Cliff, unfortunately, you're just out.

'Self-confessed speeder Cliff

'thinks he can do 40 in a built-up area. Typical.'

And, hey, well done, Mike.

Sarah, well done to you too.

Next question is for the kids. The question is:

You all finished?

Right, guys. Can you reveal your answers?

I can tell you, you're not allowed on a motorway with a bicycle.

So, Molly, you're the only one right!

Jono, 70 mile an hour? How fast do you have to pedal to go that fast?!

Stick an engine on it.

Mums and dads, step forward for your question.

On a single carriageway -

that's a road with only one lane on each side -

how fast can you travel when you see this sign?

This is the national speed limit.

Have you got that?

OK. Can you reveal your answers, please?

Ooh, we've all had the same!

I can tell you the correct answer is

60 mile an hour.

Pat yourselves on the back, well done.

Question number four, that's for the kids.

Jono was quick there.

Can you reveal your answers, please?

Ooh, you all had the same,

I can tell you the correct answer is

70 mile an hour.

Jono, well done. Manisha, well done. Molly, well done.

Rhys, get in there!

'The teams need three out of five

'to get their badge, so Cliff and Manisha have to get this right.'

It's time for the final question,

question number five, and that's for the adults.

OK, can you reveal your answers, please?

I can tell you, the speed limit

is 60 mile an hour.

Unlucky, Michelle, you was just out.

Well done, Andy! Well done, Cliff!

Unlucky, Sar, unlucky.

So, after a bad couple of days

I am so pleased to tell you that you all passed.

Congratulations. Jono, there you go.

Manisha, there you go. Well done, Molls!

Well done, Dad, you deserve a high-five.

There you go, Rhys, well done, be proud of yourself.

Guys, keep revising.

Our final show of the series, we've got a Highway Quiz showdown.

As for you guys, don't go anywhere cos still to come,

we've got our Superskills Challenge.

The moment is finally here, it's the Superskills Challenge time.

Today it's speed sense.

Everything our teams have learnt, we're going to test.

Today's challenge is all about speed awareness.

Our teams have to try to cross the line at the correct speed limits.

The rookies' speed limit is 30 miles an hour,

and the parents' is 50 miles an hour.

The rules are simple.

If they go under the limit by up to 5 mile an hour, it's a point.

But if they go one mile an hour too fast, that's speeding - no points.

The parents and the kids get two goes each.

Two out of four means a pass.

The tricky thing is that we've covered up their speedometer.

All they'll have is their skill and judgement to get their speed right.

And we will know instantly, as the second

they cross the line their speed will flash up on our speedometer.

If they fail, they'll face a very mucky forfeit indeed.

As always, they'll be watched over by our chief examiner.

If Sandra says fail there's no arguing.

What Sandra doesn't know about road safety

isn't worth knowing.

Trying to gauge your speed

without constantly checking that speedometer is very difficult.

The teams better beware.

It's the parents up first, and it's Sarah to start.

All right, Rhys? Come on the Greens.

Remember she's aiming to hit the speed line

between 45 and 50 miles an hour.

When it comes to judging her speed

Sarah hasn't got a great track record.

Mum doesn't really know what speed she's going

unless she looks at the thing that tells you.

I don't intentionally break the speed limit,

I'm just unaware of the speed I'm going at.

Oh, dear, Sarah!

Today's guest judge, Detective Chief Constable Jonathan Edwards

won't be pleased to hear that!

So how difficult is it, driving and judging how fast you're going

when your speedometer's blacked out?

Very difficult, what you tend to use is fixed features - trees, bushes...

Here we haven't got any, so it's even more difficult.

All eyes on you, Sarah!

Remember, Sarah is aiming for between 45 and 50 mile an hour -

any faster or slower and she fails.

And without a speedo it's all down to her judgement.

Oh, 41!

-41 mile an hour!

-Oh, dear, oh, dear.

Just under!

-Thought I was too fast.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-What are you going to do about that?

-Speed it up a bit, but not a lot.

So, that was 41 mile an hour - only four under what Sarah needed.

Unfortunately, that's a fail.

Second run. Only three chances left for the Greens to grab two points,

Sarah really needs to nail this.

Hold your nerve, hold your nerve...

48 mile an hour!

-Woo-hoo!

-Yes, 48!

So it looks to me like she learnt from the first run,

and maybe she put some of those points into play.

So, Sarah crossed the line at 48 mile an hour. Brilliant stuff!

So, the Greens just need one more successful run from Rhys to pass.

But first, it's Andy from the Oranges, and he's feeling confident.

No hesitation today, I think the points are in the bag.

No forfeit for us.

If we have to do the forfeit today,

then my dad will be the one that has let us down.

Molly is less confident, but who will be right?

Let's find out.

Is that the right speed, Dad? Cos I don't really know.

-Oh, 37...?

-37!

That's well off the pace. I thought he was good with speed?

I thought I was doing there, I thought I was doing about 50 there.

-And I was way out, 37.

-Well, next time just go a bit faster.

It's second chance for Andy. He needs to do better here.

-He's definitely going faster.

-I think that's a bit too fast, Dad...

-I think this is about right.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

Yes! Get in!

-45!

-Oh, were we?

-Yes!

-45 mile an hour, fantastic.

-Well done, Molly and Andy.

Great result, Andy.

Passing the line at 45 mile an hour.

Safe and successful run for the Orange team, which means

all the pressure is now on Molly for later.

'It's Cliff up next, but things have taken a bit of a turn.'

Obviously the rain's coming.

What's the worst effect that rain has whilst driving?

Well, the most significant thing is how long it takes to stop.

You must know only too well how affected cars are.

Absolutely. Water can in fact double the braking distance.

So Cliff has to be extra careful.

The Purples are not looking forward to this.

I'm just like, "Oh, no". Because speeding is my biggest weakness.

This challenge shows exactly how hard it is to judge your speed

and how important it is to be aware of it.

I wonder if that wet road is going to affect Cliff?

38 miles an hour? No good.

Oh, too slow! So I've got to go a lot faster.

Manisha's disappointed,

and Cliff shows us just how hard it is to judge your speed.

I think that because it was wet, I slowed down a lot.

So Cliff passed the line at 38 miles an hour.

That's seven miles an hour off the minimum target, that's no good.

Time for his second run.

Just got to go faster.

He looks a bit quicker this time, maybe a bit too fast.

It feels a little bit faster, I think I'm going faster.

Yeah, it seems faster.

45 mile an hour!

-He's just made it!

-Yes!

He's done it, well done.

-The crash test dummies are celebrating.

-They're going wild.

Fantastic, yes! I got one! Come on, bubs, you can do it!

Great stuff from Cliff, passing the line safely at 45 miles an hour,

leaving the pass or fail in Manisha's hands.

Next up it's Michelle for the Blues,

and so far in most of the Superskills

she's been carried by her son, Jono.

She can be slow when she thinks she's going fast,

so we might struggle.

The pressure's on now for me to do well.

Or I'm actually going to have a son that's better than myself in driving.

Here's your chance.

Well, she tells me that she's unconfident at speed,

and never drives over 50. So let's see how she handles this one.

-45! Well done!

-Super.

She looked like she was going at the right speed.

She did, she did, she approached it.

Oh, look at the dummies, they're loving it.

Well, look at them go!

You know something? I think they are enjoying this more than anybody.

Yeah, I want to be down there.

Fantastic start! Successful run, hitting 45 mile an hour.

Time for the second run. If she gets it right,

the Blues will pass without Jono needing to do any driving.

Speed...

Michelle seems happy.

Jono looks confident.

Is this for the pass?

-Ooh!

-So close, 43 mile an hour.

She's just two miles under but it doesn't count.

Oh, look, the dummies are gutted.

A couple of miles an hour off the mark for Michelle.

All the parents have had one successful run,

which means now it's all down to the rookies.

They have two goes each, and if they get one right it's a pass.

It's swap time. It's Rhys up first.

How's this, would you say, Mum?

Slow down a little bit.

And remember he's aiming to cross the line at between 25

and 30 miles an hour.

He just needs one successful run to pass.

Keep it nice and steady, don't put your foot down or up.

Keep it as it is.

Lots of advice from Mum.

Is he going too slow?

-Oh, 22!

-22.

DUMMIES BOO

-So you want to be only three or four.

-A little bit faster.

Rhys is a few miles under. That's no good.

He needs to adjust for his final run.

It's all on this, Rhys.

Yeah, I like it, Rhys. Come on, come on.

That looks definitely faster.

-34 mile an hour, so unfortunately...

-He's overdone it.

-We failed.

-I think you're too fast.

Yeah, I know, we failed.

Aw, mate.

Rhys looks gutted.

The first run was too slow,

the second was too fast.

It's a fail for the Greens.

Next up for the rookies, it's Molly.

She also needs one successful run to pass the Superskill Challenge.

Here we go.

-Is this about 30, Dad?

-Yeah,

about where you are now, stay like that.

Is that 30?

-Ooh, 32.

-Oh, you've gone over.

She's two miles an hour over. Those two miles, well, it can count.

I really thought you'd done that.

I thought she was doing about 30.

It was really hard, though.

That's a good indicator, isn't it?

A good benchmark.

Oh! So close for Molly,

but she was slightly over.

A pass for the Orange team all rests now on this final run.

Slow, slow, slow. Slower.

Exactly like that.

-That's a bit too slow, I think.

-That's all right.

I hope you're right, Andy. Cos if you not, you'll fail!

23 mile an hour!

-Oh, you were right.

-See, I said.

-You knew, clever girl.

-Too slow.

You were right, sorry, Molly.

I should have listened to you.

Oh, it's a fail for the Orange team!

Too slow on the final run and Andy to blame for that one.

Next up, it's Manisha. She needs one successful run

to become the first rookie to pass the Superskill.

But the weather's not on her side.

So, Manisha needs to get one out of her next two attempts.

She's under pressure.

Don't go any faster, keep slow. Slow down a bit.

Take your foot off the gas.

Lots of advice from Cliff.

This is it!

Yay, 25 mile an hour! Fantastic!

THEY CHEER

We passed, yay!

Do you know, they're so delighted -

any excuse to dance.

I think we should have a dance,

-what do you think?

-I think so.

Brilliant, the first pass goes to the Purples -

and on her first run, so Manisha doesn't even have to go again.

Last up, it's Jono. Mum Michelle had one successful run

which means he needs one success from two goes to pass.

Go on, Jono!

Needs to be between 25 and 30 mile an hour.

30 bang on! Well done, Jono!

Jono, he's got 30! Yeah!

Great result, but Vicky has just picked up on something.

Do you know what I didn't like a lot?

-My hands off the steering wheel?

-How dangerous was that?

-Very.

-Where were we near?

-People? Yeah, sorry.

Jono's overconfident. It's time for the examiner's verdict.

Now, to be honest, you are that close

for me not to have passed you.

-Because taking hands off the wheel, that's a bad habit.

-Yeah.

-And it's not funny, is it?

-No.

-And, you'll never do it again, will you?

-No.

-Is that a promise?

-Yeah.

-There we go!

It's a pass for the Blues, but Jono nearly lost that one.

Yeah, it wasn't nice being told off by Sandra.

She can be quite a serious woman at times, I guess.

Well, I'm sorry that you've actually failed, unfortunately

on this challenge.

But, you know, you've been learning about speed

and knowing what speed you're going, trying to gauge that speed.

That's a really valuable lesson in driving.

Unlucky, guys.

That's a fail for the Greens, but a good learning curve for Sarah.

I think journeys in future will be more speed-appropriate.

Appropriate to the roads I'm in.

Andy, how difficult is it to gauge your speed

when your speedometer's covered up?

It's really hard, cos you've got nothing to go on.

It's just instinct.

Well, it was a good attempt.

Unfortunately one out of four, so it's not a pass.

You've actually failed this particular task, I'm sorry to say.

But it just shows how important knowing your speed is

and why it's important to keep on checking that speedometer.

That's a fail for the Orange team.

But keep those spirits up, guys.

My dad's definitely improved in his driving, a lot.

He's not angry any more and he doesn't get frustrated.

I have to say, Cliff, what are you learning from this task?

You told me early days that you were a bit of a speeder.

I do drive a little fast, I just totally slowed down the first time

but then, second time, I just scraped through.

So what's the Driving Academy taught you?

-How to judge my speed.

-Fantastic. I'm very proud of you.

-Thank you.

Well done, Manisha. Yeah!

Purples get their second pass

and another step in the right direction for Cliff.

We're halfway through the Driving Academy now.

I wouldn't say I'm a changed driver, but perhaps I'm a more aware driver.

So far in our Superskills Challenges,

we have Rhys and Sarah struggling with two passes out of five.

Manisha and Cliff are back in the race with two passes.

Molly and Andy remain on three passes out of five.

But steaming ahead are the Blues, with a super-impressive four passes.

Shall we get down to business of handing out these, the passes?

Manisha and Cliff, you never cease to surprise me, very well done.

And Jono and Michelle, you've had a little bit of a blip,

but you're back on track. Keep up the good work, there you go.

As for you guys, it's forfeit time,

and when it's forfeit time you see these - the toothbrushes of doom.

There's a dirty car over there and I need it to be clean, so off you get.

Go on! Chop-chop! Get stuck in.

'While the Greens and Oranges get tickled by my feather covered car,

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

'There's a bumpy ride in store for our rookies in the Learner Lesson.

'All right, me old china?

'We find out what's causes Mr C to be distracted in Don't Be A Dummy.

'Smashing stuff!

'And it's crunch time, quite literally,

'as our teams face the Ramp of Doom -

'another bonkers Superskill Challenge.

'You'd be a fool to miss it!'

It looks like our teams are doing really well,

but can they keep it up?

Find out next time on Driving Academy. Until then, stay safe.

-This is your fault, Molly.

-Shut up, Dad!

-Look at the state of this...

-This is horrible!

-I know.

-It stinks!

-Sarah...!

Why do we only meet when we're doing this, Sarah(?)

Sarah!

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