Welcome to this month's Safety Training Series!

Let's get "back to basics" this quarter and revisit the Smith System methods for defensive driving. Even though these are probably firmly planted in your driving DNA by now, a little refresher is always a good investment of time and energy.   

Please watch the videos below (about 20 minutes of viewing), check out the supporting materials and then certify that you've completed the module at the bottom of the page. 

Thanks and stay safe out there!

 

Whether you've been driving for 5 months or 5 years or more, the key tenets of the "Smith System" of defensive driving will help you avoid crashes and other incidents (like hard brakes, etc.)!  

 

THE 5 KEYS TO SMITH SYSTEM DRIVING

Using the mnemonic “All good kids like milk” is a good way to remember the “A,” “G,” “K,” “L” and “M” of Smith’s 5 Keys:

Aim High in Steering

Get the Big Picture

Keep Your Eyes Moving

Leave Yourself an Out

Make Sure They See You

 

This quarter, we're just going to focus on the first two "keys". 

The first principal of the Smith System is to "Aim High In Steering".

Simply put, you should look further ahead of you to make sure that you have as much information to make the best possible driving decisions. 

• Our eyes are designed to work for us at walking speeds.

• The average person has not adjusted visually or mentally to the higher speeds of motor vehicles.

• Look ahead to where you will be at least 15 seconds into your future.

• A 15-second eye-lead time provides advanced warning and gives you an additional margin of safety.

• Use improved eye-lead time for more efficient and economical driving.

1. Aim High in Steering

Maintain eye lead time: Look ahead a minimum of 15 seconds.

At 25 mph, that may be a city block; at 60 mph, it’s a quarter of a mile. Scanning the road this far ahead gives you more information with which to make decisions.

When dealing with hills and curves, be sure to adjust your speed accordingly, as you never know what’s on the other side!

The 2nd "Key" to the Smith System is to "Get The Big Picture". 

This simply means to be aware of everything in your "driving picture". Look out for hazards and try not to focus on insignificant objects.

• While scanning ahead, do not forget the sides and rear.

• Consistently update your information.

• Check at least one of your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds.

• Do not focus attention on insignificant objects.

• Stay alert to the relevant information that can assist you in making well-informed decisions.

• Eliminate visual barriers by establishing proper following distance.

• Stay far enough behind other vehicles to obtain the visibility necessary to make your own decisions. 

 

2. Get the Big Picture

To "get the big picture", you should aim to keep a 7-second minimum following distance: Select a fixed object ahead and count “1,001, 1,002, 1,003,” etc., until you reach that landmark.

That is your following distance!

Scan mirrors every 5–8 seconds — at highway speeds, the landscape of traffic and terrain changes quickly.

Of course, you should increase your following distances in adverse road conditions, like rainy or snowy weather. 

Don’t be caught off guard; scan those mirrors!

Thanks for watching! Next month we'll cover the other 3 keys. 

Here are some totally optional, but really great additional resources:

 

Smith System 5 Keys Presentation