Permission for use of Smith System Materials

2013 by Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc., Arlington, TX 76006-7441 USA All Rights
Reserved
No 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 Steering
Key 2. Get The Big Picture
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving
Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out
Key 5. Make Sure They See You
And 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.

Smith System Driver Improvement Institute Incorporated

Arlington, Texas, 76006-7441 USA
800.777.7648 www.drivedifferent.com
SSS-933 CIP T REV 05.2013
Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc. Arlington, Texas 76006 USA
Truck and Large Vehicle Presentation
Changing Driving Habits Since 1952
Smith System History:
Developed by
Harold Smith in 1948

Established as a
company in 1952

First training method

dedicated to educating
experienced drivers in
collision avoidance
3
We Have Worked With:
Utilities
Trucking
Petro-Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
Package Delivery
Government Entities
Telecommunications
Over Half of the Fortune 500 Companies
4
Traffic Collision Triangle:
For each death
there are: 1 Deaths 32,367

69 Injuries 2,220,000

165 Total Collisions 5,338,000

291 Vehicles Involved 9,411,520

1,848 Citations Issued 59,828,000

$9,253,252 Dollars Spent $299.5 Billion

Unsafe Acts ? ? ?
???
Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2011
5
Causes Of Collisions:
Speed
Roads
Health
Fatigue
Attitude
Weather
Tailgating
Inattention
Impairment
Other Drivers
Inexperience
Vehicle Condition
6
Use Of The Smith 5 Keys Provides:

SPACE
for the vehicle

VISIBILITY
for the driver

TIME
to make decisions
7
The Benefits:
Reduced collision potential

Reduced fuel usage

Reduced maintenance

Lower insurance expense

Reduced anxiety and stress

8
Key 1. Aim High In Steering

Key 2. Get The Big Picture

Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out

Key 5. Make Sure They See You

9
Key 1. Aim High In Steering

15 seconds

6 seconds

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
10
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
11
Key 2. Get The Big Picture

Relevant and non-relevant objects

Position your vehicle so you can see
Maintain the proper following distance at all times
12
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Central vision is approximately 3 of clear visibility

Peripheral vision is approximately 180 of visibility

13
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Avoid blank and fixed stares

Avoid focusing on any object for more than 2 seconds

14
Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out

Avoid traveling in traffic clusters

Surround yourself with space
Anticipate the actions of others
15
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 16
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
17
Front Position

How can your space be regained?

Check Left-Right-Left before you move out
Why do you check left first?
18
Front Position

After scanning the intersection, proceed with caution

By holding your acceleration, you create space
around the vehicle
19
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
20
Front Position Aggressive Drivers

Ease off the accelerator and allow the vehicles on your

sides to overtake
Now you have space to maneuver
21
Front Position Slow Drivers

Check Left-Right-Left before you move out

Proceed when safe to do so

22
Front Position Slow Drivers

Accelerate at your normal pace

Now you have space to maneuver

23
Tailgaters

When space is available, oftentimes faster moving

vehicles will overtake you
If they remain, encourage them to overtake by
gradually reducing your speed 24
Tailgaters

Change lanes to the right and allow them to overtake

25
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
26
Center Position

Taking your foot off the brake pedal will prevent the
driver in the rear from becoming irritated
As your space cushion begins to build in front, scan
the intersection and proceed with caution 27
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
28
Following Distance

Verify your following distance by using a line on the

opposite side of the intersection
Start counting when the back bumper of the vehicle
ahead crosses the line 29
Following Distance

Stop counting when the front of your vehicle reaches

the line
Adjust your following distance as necessary
30
Key 5. Make Sure They See You

Seek eye contact

Use your warning devices
Proper timing is essential
31
Remember
Key 1. Aim High In Steering

Look ahead a minimum of 15 seconds

Key 2. Get The Big Picture

4 second minimum following distance

Scan at least one of your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Avoid focusing on any object for more than 2 seconds

Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out

Surround yourself with space

Key 5. Make Sure They See You

Seek eye contact

32
 Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc. Arlington, Texas 76006 USA
Truck and Large Vehicle Presentation
Changing Driving Habits Since 1952 33
 to Safe Backing
Can We
Remove
Reverse?

Many fleets report that more than 30% of their

incidents happen while backing
34
Why Do Backing Collisions Happen?
Backing unnecessarily
Blind areas
Vehicle design
Infrequent practice
Limited mental preparation for backing
Inadequate information during backing
35
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
36
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
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
38
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
39
Key 5. Make Sure They See You

Seek eye contact

Use warning devices
If you dont know, DONT GO!
40
When possible, avoid backing!
If you must back...
Key 1. Aim High In Steering

Choose the safest location possible

Key 2. Get The Big Picture

Search for all potential hazards

Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

Scan, do not fixate

Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out

Surround yourself with space

Key 5. Make Sure They See You

Use warning devices - Seek eye contact 41