Internal Presentation

Smith System Driver Improvement Institute IncorporatedArlington, Texas, 76006-7441 USA 800.777.7648 www.drivedifferent.comREV 05.2013

SSS-933 CIP TPermission for use of Smith System Materials 2013 bySmith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc., Arlington, TX 76006-7441 USA All Rights ReservedNo part of these course materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means.Smith System and each of The Smith 5 Keys; Key 1. Aim High In SteeringKey 2. Get The Big PictureKey 3. Keep Your Eyes MovingKey 4. Leave Yourself An OutKey 5. Make Sure They See YouAnd all knowledge derived from The Smith System, (Space-Visibility-Time) Space Cushion Driving, (G.O.A.L.), are registered, copyrighted and trademarked by Smith System for the use of Smith System Driver Safety Training.

2013 bySmith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc., Arlington, TX 76006-7441 USA All Rights ReservedNo part of these course materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means.

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Changing Driving Habits Since 1952Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc. Arlington, Texas 76006 USA

Truck and Large Vehicle Presentation

Introductions;

Names, Position / Job Description

Schedule and ObjectiveProvide the driver with advanced defensive driving techniques designed to achieve Space Cushion Driving:Create Space to maneuver their vehicle away from conflictProvide Visibility to detect the potential for danger with other vehicles or fixed objects Ensure the driver Time to react to volatile and complex driving situations

Smith System History:

Developed by Harold Smith in 1948Established as a company in 1952

First training method dedicated to educating experienced drivers in collision avoidance3

Developed by Harold Smith in 1948Techniques developed by Harold Smith in 1952 and refined with the help from a writer and Ophthalmologist

Established as a company in 1952First company to teach experienced drivers how to avoid collisions in the U.S. and it is also believed in the world

First training method dedicated to educating experienced drivers in collision avoidanceSponsored by Ford Motor Co. beginning in the early 50s and continuing for many years

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We Have Worked With:

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UtilitiesTruckingPetro-ChemicalsPharmaceuticalsPackage DeliveryGovernment EntitiesTelecommunicationsOver Half of the Fortune 500 Companies

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Utilities

Trucking

Petro-Chemicals

Pharmaceuticals

Package Delivery

Telecommunications

Government Entities

Many of the Worlds Largest Companies

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Traffic Collision Triangle:

Dollars Spent $299.5 BillionVehicles Involved 9,411,520Total Collisions 5,338,000Unsafe Acts ? ? ?Deaths 32,367Injuries 2,220,000Citations Issued 59,828,000Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2011 For each death there are:???$9,253,2521,848291165691

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Causes Of Collisions:

SpeedRoadsHealthFatigueAttitudeWeatherTailgatingInattentionImpairmentOther DriversInexperienceVehicle Condition6

Speed

Roads

Health

Fatigue

Attitude

Weather

Tailgating

Inattention

Impairment

Inexperience

Other Drivers

Vehicle Condition6

Use Of The Smith 5 Keys Provides:

SPACEfor the vehicleVISIBILITYfor the driver

TIMEto make decisions7

SPACE for the vehicleCreate Space to maneuver their vehicle away from conflict

VISIBILITY for the driverProvide Visibility to detect the potential for danger with other vehicles or fixed objects

TIME to make decisionsEnsure the driver Time to react to volatile and complex driving situations

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The Benefits:Reduced collision potentialReduced fuel usageReduced maintenanceLower insurance expenseReduced anxiety and stress8

Reduced collision potential

Reduced fuel usage

Reduced maintenance

Lower insurance expense

Reduced anxiety and stress

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Key 1. Aim High In SteeringKey 2. Get The Big PictureKey 3. Keep Your Eyes MovingKey 4. Leave Yourself An OutKey 5. Make Sure They See You9

Number The KeysExplain each individually

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Key 1. Aim High In Steering

An animal's eyesight is suited to its needs

Average drivers use 3 to 6 seconds of eye lead time

Expand your eye lead to a minimum of 15 seconds

15 seconds6 seconds10

An animals eyesight is suited to its needs

Average drivers use 3 to 6 seconds as eye lead time

Expand your eye lead time to a minimum of 15 seconds

Demonstrate: The benefits of aiming high

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Key 2. Get The Big Picture

Look 15 seconds ahead

Scan at least one of your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds

Achieve a circle of awareness

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Look 15 seconds ahead

Scan at least one of your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds

Achieve a circle of awareness

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Key 2. Get The Big Picture

Relevant and non-relevant objects

Position your vehicle so you can seeMaintain the proper following distance at all times

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Relevant and non-relevant objects

Position your vehicle so you can see

Demonstrate: Eliminating vision barriersSimulate: A truck (book), car (hand) and motorcycle (thumb)

3. Maintain the proper following distance

Describe: Proper following distanceDefine: Not only allows space for stopping but also time to gather information.Refer: To Key 2 Following Distance Diagram

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Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Central vision is approximately 3 of clear visibilityPeripheral vision is approximately 180 of visibility

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Central vision is approximately 3 of clear visibility

Peripheral vision is approximately 180 of visibility

Demonstrate: Central cone and peripheral visionExample: Use a page, sign or other item with words on it.

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Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Avoid blank and fixed stares

Avoid focusing on any object for more than 2 seconds14

1. Avoid blank and fixed staresDescribe: Their nature and their effect

2. Avoid focusing on an object for more than 2 seconds

Demonstrate: The fixed stare problemExample: Student looks at book while instructor establishes peripheral vision limits with hand 90 from face. The student them loses the hand while reading.

Emphasize: To keep information flowing and to keep stares from forming, move your eyes every 2 seconds.

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Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out

Avoid traveling in traffic clusters

Surround yourself with space

Anticipate the actions of others

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Avoid traveling in traffic clusters

Surround yourself with space

Demonstrate: Ways to create space on the roadwayRefer: To Key 4. Coin Demonstration Diagram

3. Anticipate the actions of others

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Creating Space on the Roadway

When stopped, the cushion of space surrounding your vehicle is diminished Although your vehicle is not moving, your eyes should remain active

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When Stopped at a Light

Look at least 15 seconds ahead for potential problems

Turning vehicles, cross traffic, pedestrians/bicyclists

Drivers to the sides and rear who may be distracted

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Front Position

How can your space be regained?

Check Left-Right-Left before you move out

Why do you check left first?18

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Front Position

After scanning the intersection, proceed with caution

By holding your acceleration, you create space around the vehicle

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Front Position Aggressive Drivers

Should the drivers on the sides remain next to your vehicle, you have space ahead and behind but not to the sides

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Front Position Aggressive Drivers

Ease off the accelerator and allow the vehicles on your sides to overtake Now you have space to maneuver

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Front Position Slow Drivers

Check Left-Right-Left before you move out

Proceed when safe to do so22

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Front Position Slow Drivers

Accelerate at your normal pace

Now you have space to maneuver

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Tailgaters

When space is available, oftentimes faster moving vehicles will overtake you

If they remain, encourage them to overtake by gradually reducing your speed

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Tailgaters

Change lanes to the right and allow them to overtake

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Center Position

As the vehicle ahead starts to move, take your foot off the brake and hesitate to allow the leading vehicle to move forward

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Center Position

Taking your foot off the brake pedal will prevent the driver in the rear from becoming irritatedAs your space cushion begins to build in front, scan the intersection and proceed with caution

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Rear Position

Hesitate to allow the vehicles ahead to begin moving

As space begins to form, scan the intersection before entering and proceed with caution

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Following Distance

Verify your following distance by using a line on the opposite side of the intersectionStart counting when the back bumper of the vehicle ahead crosses the line29

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Following Distance

Stop counting when the front of your vehicle reaches the line

Adjust your following distance as necessary30

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Key 5. Make Sure They See You

Seek eye contact

Use your warning devices

Proper timing is essential

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Seek eye contact

Use your warning devices

What are our communication devices?Solicit: List from group

3. Proper timing is essential

Explain: Learning to use them properly is a skillExpound: On misuse of horn or turn indicators

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Key 1. Aim High In SteeringKey 2. Get The Big Picture Key 3. Keep Your Eyes MovingKey 4. Leave Yourself An OutKey 5. Make Sure They See YouRememberLook ahead a minimum of 15 seconds4 second minimum following distanceScan at least one of your mirrors every 5 to 8 secondsAvoid focusing on any object for more than 2 secondsSurround yourself with spaceSeek eye contact

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Here is a brief recap of The 5 KeysReview each Key and its main theme

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Changing Driving Habits Since 1952Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc. Arlington, Texas 76006 USA

Truck and Large Vehicle Presentation

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Introductions;

Names, Position / Job Description

Schedule and ObjectiveProvide the driver with advanced defensive driving techniques designed to achieve Space Cushion Driving:Create Space to maneuver their vehicle away from conflictProvide Visibility to detect the potential for danger with other vehicles or fixed objects Ensure the driver Time to react to volatile and complex driving situations

Many fleets report that more than 30% of their incidents happen while backingCan WeRemove Reverse?

to Safe Backing

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34Many fleets report that more than 30% of their incidents happen while reversing

Backing unnecessarilyBlind areasVehicle designInfrequent practiceLimited mental preparation for backingInadequate information during backing

Why Do Backing Collisions Happen?35

35Reversing unnecessarily

Blind areas

Vehicle design

Infrequent practice

Limited mental preparation for reversing

Inadequate information during reversing

Key 1. Aim High In Steering

When possible avoid backing

Think about your departure upon your arrival

Select the safest parking location and backing path

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When possible avoid reversing

Think about your departure upon arrival

Select the safest parking location and reversing path

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Key 2. Get The Big Picture

Look for all hazards and consider backing upon arrival

Use a guide when available

When in doubt Get Out And Look G.O.A.L.37

Look for all hazards and consider reversing upon arrival

Use a guide when available

When in doubt get out and look

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Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Avoid staring at one object; scan the entire area

Do not forget the front and the sides

Back slowly

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Avoid staring at any one object; scan the entire area

Do not forget the front and the sides

Reverse slowly

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Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out

Choose the site with the fewest hazards

Cut no closer to other objects than necessary

Back only as far as you must

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Choose the site with the fewest hazards

Maneuver no closer to other objects than necessary

Reverse only as far as you must

What parking space would you choose?

Why?

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Key 5. Make Sure They See You

Seek eye contact

Use warning devices

If you dont know, DONT GO!

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Seek eye contact

Use warning devices

If you do not know, do not go!

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Key 1. Aim High In SteeringKey 2. Get The Big PictureKey 3. Keep Your Eyes MovingKey 4. Leave Yourself An OutKey 5. Make Sure They See YouChoose the safest location possibleSearch for all potential hazardsScan, do not fixateSurround yourself with spaceUse warning devices - Seek eye contactIf you must back...When possible, avoid backing!

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Here is a brief recap of The 5 KeysReview each Key and its main theme

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