The SIPDE and Smith System “Defensive Driving Techniques”

Description The SIPDE and Smith System have been the 2 key components of defensive driving for over 25 years. The SIPDE and Smith System have been the 2 key components of defensive driving for over 25 years.

Drivers who use these programs of safe driving skills are less likely to be involved in fatal crashes than those who do not. Drivers who use these programs of safe driving skills are less likely to be involved in fatal crashes than those who do not.

They are not hard to learn and, in fact, we all use them everyday while walking, riding a bike, or driving a vehicle. They are not hard to learn and, in fact, we all use them everyday while walking, riding a bike, or driving a vehicle.

SIPDE A five step driving process that enables drivers to process in formation in an organized way. A five step driving process that enables drivers to process in formation in an organized way.

S – search S – search I – identify I – identify P – predict P – predict D – decide D – decide E - execute E - execute

SEARCH As we drive, things are happening all around us. Many of these potential situations happen, not in our direct path of travel, but rather in areas all around our vehicle. As we drive, things are happening all around us. Many of these potential situations happen, not in our direct path of travel, but rather in areas all around our vehicle.

continued…. It is important to constantly move our eyes to see the big picture! It is important to constantly move our eyes to see the big picture!

IDENTIFY Remember that other highway users don’t always act the way we think they will. We must learn to gather and process the important clues to others’ driving behavior. Remember that other highway users don’t always act the way we think they will. We must learn to gather and process the important clues to others’ driving behavior.

continued… Important things to look for: 1) signs, signals, and road markings 2) the highway itself 3) motorized vehicles 4) non-motorized highway users

PREDICT Usually highway users act as expected. But at times they may do unexpected things that could lead to collisions. We must learn to expect the unusual. Usually highway users act as expected. But at times they may do unexpected things that could lead to collisions. We must learn to expect the unusual.

continued… When you are in a traffic situation that has accident potential, adjust your speed and position in response to…… When you are in a traffic situation that has accident potential, adjust your speed and position in response to……

continued… (1) the chances (probability) and (2) consequences (results) of a collision.

DECIDE When you have gathered important information that is available from the road around and interpreted it, When you have gathered important information that is available from the road around and interpreted it,

continued… Your goal is to minimize risks. You can do this by controlling your position and communicating your intentions to others. Your goal is to minimize risks. You can do this by controlling your position and communicating your intentions to others.

continued… Predicting what effect it may have on your intended path of travel, quickly consider all the possible actions and choose the best one. Predicting what effect it may have on your intended path of travel, quickly consider all the possible actions and choose the best one.

EXECUTE You must execute your decision using the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. You must execute your decision using the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes.

continued… Be sure to use your turn signals to communicate your intentions to others on the road. Most of the maneuvers you have to make will be routine ones. Be sure to use your turn signals to communicate your intentions to others on the road. Most of the maneuvers you have to make will be routine ones.

continued… REMEMBER!! The SIPDE and Smith System are ongoing processes. You will be reacting to one situation, while gathering information about a new one. The SIPDE and Smith System are ongoing processes. You will be reacting to one situation, while gathering information about a new one.

THE SMITH SYSTEM Five keys to defensive driving. Five keys to defensive driving.

Aim High In Steering Develop an effective search pattern and then use it. The pattern should be 20 to 30 seconds ahead of your vehicle. Develop an effective search pattern and then use it. The pattern should be 20 to 30 seconds ahead of your vehicle.

continued… This will be about 1 to 2 blocks ahead at 25 to 30 miles per hour in the city and about 1/3 to 1/2 mile at 55 to 65 miles per hour on the highway. This will be about 1 to 2 blocks ahead at 25 to 30 miles per hour in the city and about 1/3 to 1/2 mile at 55 to 65 miles per hour on the highway.

Keep Your Eyes Moving Roadway and off-road conditions are always changing. Search the scene constantly. Roadway and off-road conditions are always changing. Search the scene constantly.

continued… Your overall search pattern should include areas 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 30 seconds ahead of you. Because of searching, leave a 2 to 3 second following distance. Your overall search pattern should include areas 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 30 seconds ahead of you. Because of searching, leave a 2 to 3 second following distance.

continued… Traffic checks in any direction other than your intended path of travel should be brief. Be sure to include your mirrors in your overall search pattern. Traffic checks in any direction other than your intended path of travel should be brief. Be sure to include your mirrors in your overall search pattern.

Get The Big Picture Search the whole scene, not just part of it. When we drive, our minds do not interpret everything we see. Search the whole scene, not just part of it. When we drive, our minds do not interpret everything we see.

continued… For this reason, we must learn to look at things selectively. When driving, look for things with crash potential. For this reason, we must learn to look at things selectively. When driving, look for things with crash potential.

Make Sure Others See You Communicate with drivers and pedestrians. Drive where others can see you. Communicate with drivers and pedestrians. Drive where others can see you.

continued… Anticipation is an important component of your search pattern. The best way to anticipate others’ movements is to make eye contact with them. Anticipation is an important component of your search pattern. The best way to anticipate others’ movements is to make eye contact with them.

Leave Yourself A Way Out Or A Margin Of Safety Always leave yourself a path of escape—a way to avoid a collision. Always leave yourself a path of escape—a way to avoid a collision.

continued… When things with collision potential develop well in front of your vehicle, you may need to respond with only a simple reduction in speed to let the conflict clear. When things with collision potential develop well in front of your vehicle, you may need to respond with only a simple reduction in speed to let the conflict clear.

continued… Those that develop in your immediate path of travel will become more difficult to handle. As your judgment of time and space improves and ….. Those that develop in your immediate path of travel will become more difficult to handle. As your judgment of time and space improves and …..

continued… you learn to anticipate dangerous actions by other drivers, you will be able to minimize your risk. you learn to anticipate dangerous actions by other drivers, you will be able to minimize your risk.

THE END QUESTIONS?