Introduction To Defensive Driving  S.I.P.D.E. and “The Smith System” have been two key components of defensive driving for over 25 years.  Drivers who use these programs are less likely to be involved in fatal crashes than those drivers who do not.  These two programs are the backbone of driving and Driver Ed.

Defensive Driving  SIPDE is a five step process that enables drivers to process information in an organized way.  S.I.P.D.E. Steps: 1. Search or Scan 2. Identify 3. Predict 4. Decide 5. Execute

S.I.P.D.E. Step 1 Search or Scan the traffic scene:  As we drive things are happening all around us.  Many of the potential situations happen, not in our direct path of travel, but rather in areas all around our vehicle.  It is important to constantly move our eyes to see the big picture.

S.I.P.D.E. Step 2 Identify clues in the traffic environment:  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 other people’s driving behavior.  Here are the important things to look for:  Sign, signals, and road markings  The highway itself  Motorized vehicles  Non-motorized highway users

S.I.P.D.E. Step 3 Predict what could happen ahead of you:  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.  When you are in traffic situation that has accident potential, adjust your speed and position in response to (1) the chances (probability) and (2) consequences (results) of a collision.

S.I.P.D.E. Step 4 Decide what action(s) to take to minimize risks:  When you have gathered important information that is available from the road around and interpreted it, predicting what effect it may have on your intended path of travel, quickly consider all of the possible actions and choose the best one.  Your goal is to minimize your risks. You can do this by controlling your position.  You must communicate your intentions to others.

S.I.P.D.E. Step 5 Execute the actions that you decided:  You must execute your decision using the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes.  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.

Smith System – Step 1 Aim High In Steering:  Develop an effective search pattern and use it  The pattern should be 20 to 30 seconds ahead of your vehicle  This will be about one to two blocks ahead at 25 to 30 mph in the city

Smith System – Step 2 Keep Your Eyes Moving:  Roadway and off-road conditions are always changing. Search the scene constantly.  Because you must leave time for searching, remember to keep at least a 2 second following distance.  Traffic checks in any direction other than your intended path should be brief.  Be sure to include your mirrors in your overall search pattern.

Smith System – Step 3 Get The Big Picture:  Search the whole scene, not just part of it.  When we drive, our minds do not interpret everything we see.  For this reason, we must learn to look at things selectively.  When driving, look for things with crash potential.

Smith System – Step 4 Make Sure Others See You:  Communicate with drivers and pedestrians.  Drive where others can see you.  Anticipation is an important component of your search pattern.  The best way to anticipate the movement of others is to make eye contact with them.  If you can’t see their eyes, be ready for unexpected movements.

Smith System – Step 5 Leave Yourself A Way Out:  Always leave yourself a path of escape - - a way to avoid a collision.  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.  Those that develop in your immediate path of travel will be more difficult to handle.  As your judgment of time and space improves and you learn to anticipate dangerous actions by other drivers, you will be able to minimize your risk.