1. Defensive Driving What are the attributes of a good driver?
Alert, prepared, able to act in time, defensive, polite
What are the attributes of a poor driver?
Reckless, rude, aggressive, self centered

2. DEFENSIVE DRIVING SMITH SYSTEM/S.I.P.D E.
Aim High in Steering
Search
Keep Your Eyes Moving
Identify
Get the Big Picture
Predict
Make Sure They See You
Decide
Leave Yourself an Out
Execute

3. DEFENSIVE DRIVING SMITH SYSTEM/S.I.P.D.E
AIM HIGH ISTEERING
Search
12 SECONDS AHEAD
USE CENTRAL & SIDE VISION
GLANCE DON’T STARE
SEARCH
LOOK FOR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

4. What are you searching for
Other vehicles - cars, trucks buses slow moving vehicles
Pedestrians
Animals
Signs, lines and pavement markings
Yellow lines double solid (NO PASSING)
Solid and broken Passing on broken side only

5. Factors that may influence your line of sight
Time of day night time Headlights on
Use Low and high beams
Road features- curves hills urban vs suburban, school, business
weather rain (lights on) Fog (low beams) Snow (studded snow tires Nov 15- Apr. 1)
Make sure all windows are clear of frost

6. KEEP YOU R EYES MOVING IDENTIFY/ IDENTIFY
KEEP EYE FIXATIONS MOVING
SCAN TRAFFIC SCENE
RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS
KIDS,CARS,
CURVES

7. GET THE BIG PICTURE PREDICT
CHECK MIRRORS OFTEN
CHECK BLIND SPOTS BEFORE LANE CHANGES
ANTICIPATE OTHERS NEXT MOVES
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

8. Good eye Habits
Eyes should never stay fixed on one object for more than a brief pause
Mirrors rear and side should be checked frequently ( keep track of who is approaching from behind especially on highways (tailgaters) slow down move to the right
Prevents highway hypnosis

9. You must be aware of who is around you at all times
No Zones or Blind spots (lane changes)
Mirrors, blinker blind spot –Pass- then repeat procedure
Truck No zones and dealing with trucks at intersections
Blind spots before you start a trip

11. MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOU DECIDE
COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER DRIVERS
MAKE CHOICE ON HOW TO AVOID A PROBLEM
SLOW DOWN, COVER BRAKE, MAKE LANE ADJUSTMENT

12. Stay out of the NO ZONES Following distance 3 Second rule
Weather conditions increase this
Stay out of blind spots
Leave pedestrians especially children more room and slow down Cover your brake to reduce your stopping distance by eliminating a reaction distance

13. LEAVE AN OUT EXECUTE MAINTAIN SAFETY MARGIN (FRONT REAR SIDES)
DO THE DRIVING SKILL NEEDED
IF YOU ARE PAYING CAREFUL ATTENTION, HARD BRAKING WILL NOT BE ONE OF THE CHOICES

14. How to Execute your plan
Slow down
Adjust lane position (when possible)
Flash your lights
Use your horn
If you practice these DEFENSIVE DRIVING principles you will become a much safer driver.

15. State Test Information Library
Use of Bright beam lights. In open country driving.
City driving Drive slowly, yield to pedestrians, look at least 12 seconds ahead
Diamond shaped sign Construction or warning
Not stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk has a fine of
$500, up to 25 days in jail, 6 mos. License suspension, 2 points and community service
To reduce your chances of having an accident use the standard accident prevention formula; Be Alert, Be Prepared, Act in Time
If a motorist is passing you: you should slow down and make it easier for them to pass

16. State Test library
If a large truck or bus cannot see you in their rearview mirror you are in their NO- ZONE or blind spot
Trucks take 25% longer to stop during bad weather
Child safety seats belong in the rear seat
Parking rule for a fire hydrant is 10’
Keep a safe distance: to decrease reaction time, get a clear view of the road, have time to react to emergencies
Parking for a stop sign is 50’

17. State test
Headlights on in daylight hours when your headlights and wipers are on
3 second plus rule helps you keep a safe distance
Braking distance on dry roads at 60 mph = 300 ft.
When approaching a curve your vehicle wants to keep going straight