Roadcraft: The Police Driver’s Handbook is the premier guide for advanced driving, centering on the IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) system to enhance safety and vehicle control. Originally developed in 1937, the handbook is maintained by the Police Foundation to provide up-to-date guidance on modern driving techniques and vehicle technology. Purchase the official PDF through The TSO Shop Roadcraft: The Police Driver's Handbook 30 Aug 2013 —
- Roadcraft stresses extensive and continuous observation: scanning near and far, mirrors, blind spots, and interpreting road signs, road surface, other road users, and environmental factors.
- It teaches categorization of risks (e.g., fixed hazards, moving hazards, vulnerable road users) and prioritization of responses.
- Information gathering is not passive; it includes using vehicle lights and signals appropriately, communicating intention to other road users, and interpreting others’ likely actions.
- Information: Taking in information about the road, the position of other vehicles, weather conditions, and road surface. This is a continuous loop (Take → Use → Give).
- Position: Placing the vehicle optimally for safety and view. Often this means moving away from the hazard (e.g., moving right on a left-hand bend to see further).
- Speed: Adjusting your speed using the accelerator or brakes before you enter the hazard. In emergency driving, this often involves "limit point analysis."
- Gear: Selecting the appropriate gear to allow the car to accelerate smoothly through the hazard.
- Acceleration: Applying progressive power as you exit the hazard to stabilize the car.
The core philosophy of Roadcraft is that a collision is often the result of a lapse in driving skill. By increasing awareness of your own capabilities, vehicle characteristics, and external conditions, you can anticipate hazards before they develop. The IPSGA System of Car Control