What is the Smith method in driving?

The Smith System of driving is about reducing collisions, preventing injuries and saving lives. The Smith 5 Keys employs five basic principles. Each principle is designed to reduce the risks involved in driving by teaching drivers to anticipate dangerous situations.

What are the 5 steps of the Smith System?

What is the Smith process?

The Smith System was invented by Harold Smith in 1952 to increase safety of commercial drivers and revolves around employing five rules when operating a motor vehicle. These five rules can dramatically reduce the risk of major accidents on both highways and roads.

What is the main focus of the Smith System?

The main concept of the Smith System is space cushion driving. Space cushion driving unlocks vision barriers and allow you to open a whole new vista of comfortable, at ease, and smooth driving. Good vision buys time and space to help you avoid trouble and adjust to traffic conditions.

What is the first principle of the Smith System of driving?

Aim high

The first principle of the Smith System is to aim high while steering. Our eyes are meant to work for us at walking speed and not the high rates of speed of motor vehicles. In order to improve eye-lead time, you should look ahead to where you'll be about 15 seconds into the future.

Smith System Overview

What are the 3 primary goals of the Smith System?

Space to maneuver their vehicle away from conflict. Visibility to detect danger and the potential for conflict with another vehicle or fixed object early. Time to react to volatile and complex driving environments.

What is the most important step to remember about Mr Smith's system for driving safe?

Assume other drivers can see them, assume other drivers are not dangerous, or even assume that they will just get to their destination safely. The final rule for the Smith System is “Make Sure You Are Seen”. This rule prevents accidents by removing assumptions made behind the wheel.

What is the 5 second rule in driving?

If it takes you 3-5 seconds to pass an object after the car ahead of you has passed it, you're at a safe following distance. You'll need more space the faster you're driving, so keep that in mind.

What are 5 defensive driving techniques?

What does the Smith System stands for?

The Smith System is a driving methodology invented by Harold Smith in 1952. It's based on *five basic road rules that, if followed by all drivers, will greatly reduce the number of traffic accidents. Let's take a look at the principles of the Smith System: Rule #1: Aim high.

What is signal 1 2 3 in driving?

After checking traffic and prior to changing lanes, we Signal and check in the direction of intended movement: rear view mirror (1), side view mirror (2), and blind spot (3).

When did Smith System start?

In 1952, Harold Smith established Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, the nation's first professional driver training company. He understood that most crashes are preventable if the right driving habits are learned, practiced and applied consistently.

What are Smith keys?

Smith's 5 Keys. • 1- Aim High in Steering. • 2- Get the Big Picture. • 3- Keep Your Eyes Moving. • 4- Leave Yourself an Out.

What does it mean to aim high in steering?

Rule #1: Aim High in Steering

Aim high in steering means drivers should be looking ahead 10 to15 seconds when traveling down the roadway. Essentially, where will my car be in the next 10 to 15 seconds. By doing this, drivers can identify potential hazards earlier and have more time to take the appropriate action.

Which of the Smith System 5 keys can help you avoid a backing accident?

You cannot back into what is not there. Smith System Key #5, Make Sure They See You – Use your warning devices, seek eye contact. Once you have established eye to eye contact, you can assume the other driver will act in a reasonable and predictable manner.

What is 15 second eye lead time?

Your Solution - 15 Second Eye Lead Time: Eye lead time is the distance, measured in seconds, that your eyes lead the vehicle. In other words, you see ahead to where you will be in 15 seconds. At 30-35 mph, you should be looking about a block ahead and at 55 mph you should be looking at a ¼ to ½ mile ahead.

What are the 4 S's of driving?

“We want people to be aware of the four S's: Statistics, Speed, Sound and Size,” MacKay said.

What are the 4 A's of driving?

In the past, some have called the topics in this lesson Aggression, Alcohol, Accidents and Awareness.

What are the three A's of defensive driving?

The 3 A's for safe driving are as follows: Attitude: Try to stay positive while you're driving, even if the circumstances get frustrating. Acting out of anger while you're behind the wheel can endanger you and others on the road. Awareness: Stay alert to any potential threats while you're driving.

What's the 2 second rule in driving?

To use the rule, drivers should allow the vehicle in front to pass a fixed object such as a lamp post or road sign then count to two seconds. If they reach two seconds before reaching the reference marker they need to drop back.

What are the 3 steps of merging?

What's the 3 second rule in driving?

Every driver must cultivate healthy driving habits to limit their risk of causing accidents. A general rule that helps many drivers maintain safe following distances is the “three-second rule.” It requires leaving three seconds of space between your vehicle and the vehicle driving in front of you.

What are the 5 C's of road safety?

“Kindly exercise the five C's – care, caution, consideration, common sense and courtesy when using the roadways. Let us avoid the use of reckless driving on our roadways which will aid in the reduction of deaths to human lives.

What does it mean to leave yourself an out in the Smith System?

What does it mean to leave yourself an out? For the purpose of this safety talk, we will define it as, “the ability to escape danger if a negative situation occurs.” The term “leaving yourself an out” is often used in defensive driving courses.

What is Smiths training?

Welcome to Smiths Training, where you can book a range of industry leading training courses at cost effective prices, IPAF (cherry picker training) & PASMA, to First Aid & Abrasive Wheels at our training centres in North West England – Blackpool, Preston, Lancaster, Manchester, Warrington & Castleford.