The company I work for uses the The Smith System™ to promote defensive driving. The Smith System includes five keys that have proven to lessen the likelihood of vehicle collisions:
• Aim high in steering — Ths means you need to see beyond the bumper of the vehicle in the lane in front of you. Traffic farther head in the same lane, traffic from parallel lanes and traffic from other directions can all create a change in the safety of your intended travel path.
• Get the big picture — It’s necessary to look around as you drive. Pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers merging onto the road from parking lots and driveways and other hazards must be part of your decision making process as you drive.
• Keep your eyes moving — Make a continuous and repetitive cycle of your eyes to see both sides, in front and behind your vehicle. If you don’t know whether or not there is another driver in the lane on your right, or one approaching to pass you on the left, you’re not using your side view mirrors effectively.
• Leave yourself an out - When driving in heavy traffic, there should be space you can use to stop and avoid hitting the vehicle ahead of you. This space is most likely in front of you, because Smith System advises a four second following distance. Think also about changing lanes into an opening on your right or left or using the median or shoulder to avoid collisions.
• Make sure they see you — Use your headlights and horn appropriately. Signals are used when turning, as well as when changing lanes. Remember to use your flashers when stopping in a high traffic area.
The only person’s behavior you can change is your own. Make sure you and the riders in the vehicles you drive are safe by driving defensively.
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