by Gary Wonning

Created on: December 03, 2008

Safety is every one's concern, especially while traveling to and fro. With all the nut cases on the road today one needs to arm himself with every possible tool to ensure a safe arrival to the desired destination.

Having been involved in the transportation industry all my life,and driven close to 4 million accident free miles, I would like to pass on some of the training I received that enabled me to accomplish this feat.

Early in my career I was introduced to the Smith System of accident free driving, the center focus of which teaches the Five Seeing Habits of Safe Driving.

The following article offers a brief description of each. If rigorously followed, one can be reasonable certain to never have an accident.

FIVE SEEING HABITS OF SAFE DRIVING

1. Aim High in Steering

2.Get The Big Picture

3.Keep Your Eyes Moving

4.Leave Yourself An Out

5.Make Sure They See You

1. Aim High In Steering

This doesn't mean to keep your hands at the top of the steering wheel! In short it explains that one should not look directly in front of your vehicle, instead look as far down the road as possible to uncover important traffic information to make appropriate decisions.

Look as far down the road as possible, looking ahead to where your vehicle will be in 12-15 seconds.

Know your field of vision:

Peripheral vision (fringe vision) 98% or 177 degrees of our vision

Central Vision (core vision) 2% or 3 degrees of our vision

2.Get The Big Picture

This doesn't mean we shouldbuy a large screen TV, it means to Maintain the proper following distance,(at least one car length for every 10 MPH), so you can comfortably determine the true hazards around your vehicle. Don't tailgate others.

Be aware of all objects and obstacles(dogs, cats ,deer, ladders in the road , etc.) scan other vehicles to be aware of things that might fall off into your path. The road isn't going anywhere, once you know the direction the road goes and any potential hazards such as potholes, observe things that might move into your line of travel. After you determine that something is not moving into your line of travel, ignore it.

In town or a city, Scan 1-2 city blocks ahead of your vehicle

Out in the country, Scan mile ahead of your vehicle on highways, expressways & country roads

Scan sidewalk to sidewalk in town

Fence row to fence row in the country

Be aware of all areas and all things around your vehicle

Back only when necessary

When backing ,double check to make sure no one or nothing is behind your vehicle, get out of the car and physically

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