The Five Seeing Habits of Safe Driving

Safety is every one's concern, especially while3. Keep your eyes moving
traveling to and fro. With all the nut cases on the road- Scan, Don't stare. Constantly shift your eyes while
today one needs to arm himself with every possibledriving, Active eyes keep up with changing traffic
tool to ensure a safe arrival to the desired destination.conditions.
Having been involved in the transportation industry all- Check all mirrors every 5-8 seconds
my life,and driven close to 4 million accident free miles, I- To avoid highway hypnosis, Scan the area in front of
would like to pass on some of the training I receivedyou every 2 seconds
that enabled me to accomplish this feat.- Never stare at an object for more than 2 seconds,
Early in my career I was introduced to the Smithnot even Brad Pitt or Angeline Jolene!
System of accident free driving, the center focus of- Eliminate eye holding patterns
which teaches the Five Seeing Habits of Safe Driving.- Adjust speed to existing conditions, speed up or slow
The following article offers a brief description of each.down when necessary
If rigorously followed, one can be reasonable certain toDriving comes first, eating , changing radio, A/C, talking
never have an accident.on cell phone, etc, all come secondary, and should only
FIVE SEEING HABITS OF SAFE DRIVINGbe done, if at all, when there is no traffic around you.
1. Aim High in SteeringIf you get tired, turn up radio, turn up A/C, sing to
2. Get The Big Pictureyourself, or better yet pull over and take a break.
3. Keep Your Eyes Moving4.Leave yourself an out:
4. Leave Yourself An OutBe prepared. Surround your vehicle with space in front
5. Make Sure They See Youof and at least on one side to escape conflict.
1. Aim High In SteeringAlways have an escape route in mind in case the
This doesn't mean to keep your hands at the top ofunexpected arises. Always drive as if you have no
the steering wheel! In short it explains that one shouldbrakes, have an escape route if needed.
not look directly in front of your vehicle, instead look asLeave a 1 car -length space cushion between you and
far down the road as possible to uncover importantthe car in front of you at stop signs and
traffic information to make appropriate decisions.intersections(check mirrors to make sure the person
Look as far down the road as possible, looking aheadbehind you is stopping, if not use up your space
to where your vehicle will be in 12-15 seconds.cushion, or change lanes if possible.)
Know your field of vision:If the person in front of you stops suddenly, stop as
Peripheral vision (fringe vision) 98% or 177 degrees ofsoon as possible, but if you have time , check your
our visionmirror to make sure the person behind you can stop
Central Vision (core vision) 2% or 3 degrees of ourbefore hitting you, if not use up your space cushion to
visiongive him as much room as possible. Whenever you hit
2Get The Big Picturesomeone from the rear, it is automatically your fault, a
This doesn't mean we should buy a large screen TV, itdriver needs to have control of his, or her vehicle at all
means to Maintain the proper following distance,(attimes.
least one car length for every 10 MPH), so you canUse turn signals
comfortably determine the true hazards around yourStay at least 2 seconds behind the car in front of
vehicle. Don't tailgate others.you(1 car length for every 10 MPH.)
Be aware of all objects and obstacles(dogs, cats3 seconds in adverse weather
,deer, ladders in the road , etc.) scan other vehicles toSlow down in heavy rain, your vehicle will hydroplane if
be aware of things that might fall off into your path.you go to fast. Every vehicle is different, vehicles with
The road isn't going anywhere, once you know thewider tires and/or little or no tread, will hydroplane
direction the road goes and any potential hazards suchquicker than vehicles with narrower tires.
as potholes, observe things that might move into yourCheck other drivers and vehicles for movement,
line of travel. After you determine that something is notwatch drivers heads for movement,also check the
moving into your line of travel, ignore it.wheels,remember, the wheels of a vehicle are going to
In town or a city, Scan 1-2 city blocks ahead of yourbe the first thing to start moving.
vehicle5. Make sure they see you:
Out in the country, Scan ½ mile ahead of yourCommunicate in traffic with your horn, lights, and signals
vehicle on highways, expressways & countryto establish eye contact with motorists and
roadspedestrians. Be reasonably sure of other people's
Scan sidewalk to sidewalk in townintentions.
Fence row to fence row in the country- Make eye contact
Be aware of all areas and all things around your- Honk horn (twice)
vehicle- Turn on/off headlights
Back only when necessary- Tap brakes several times in succession
When backing ,double check to make sure no one or- Use turn signals.
nothing is behind your vehicle, get out of the car andAs you can see, driving is a full time job. It can also be
physically check if necessary. When walking to yousafe, many, many, professional drivers drive for 20 or
car be sure to check behind it. Back only after30 years and never have an accident,if they can do it
engaging your 4 way flashers and sounding your horn,you can to!
to alert anyone who might wander into your line ofSafety is NO accident!!
travel.