((PKG)) SECRET SERVICE DRIVERS
((Banner: Secret Service Drivers))
((Reporter: Steve Herman))
((Producer: Elizabeth Cherneff))
((Camera: Michael Burke, Marcus Harton))
((Adapted by: Martin Secrest))
((Map: Laurel, Maryland))
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((Pop-Up Banner: U.S. Secret Service driver training began in 1970))
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((Lloyd Llamas, Officer, United States Secret Service))
When the first time I saw the instructors demo’ing (demonstrating) the cone course, I told myself, like, ‘Oh man, it’s going to be a long day for me.’ Three, four, five, sometimes eight hours of just running through the course, again and again, made me a better driver.
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((Thomas Murach, Asst. to Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service))
We are teaching protective driving in support of the Secret Service’s protective mission. So, that’s a little bit different than just driving yourself on the expressway. You now have to think about not just yourself but the people that are inside the vehicle with you, which may be the president or the vice president.
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((Instructor, classroom))
Alright, so again, we’re keeping our eyes up, looking down range, always scanning for threats, always looking for threats. Looking forward, trying to be alert, anticipating the actions of others, and seeing what we have out there. Alright?
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((Thomas Murach, Asst. to Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service))
Most every car offered today has anti-lock brakes. Because every car now has anti-locks, you can teach our drivers, the people that come out here, to utilize those anti-lock brakes, so they know what they feel like. It’s not, it would not be a shock to them if the car had locked up on them.
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((Thomas Murach, Asst. to Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service))
Stability control has come a long way. Years ago, the stability control on a car didn’t exist, but because it’s so good nowadays, we’ve actually been able to take out certain portions of our training because a car will do the majority of the work for you.
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((Thomas Murach, Asst. to Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service))
Tire technology has advanced. Tires last a long time today, but furthermore, there’s a much grippier compound, even in the wet.
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((Lloyd Llamas, Officer, United States Secret Service))
I’m an experienced rider, but when I went through with this, I’m like, no, I’m really humbled.
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