What does a defensive driver do?

Driving defensively is a skill that takes alot of development. Most people sit and wait for things to happen then "react" to them. This approach lends it self to some real problems when there is not enough time given to react properly--Most people accomplish simple point to point travel everyday and it is a thing of luck not a skill that gets them there. A defensice driver is one that is "proactive" driver-- they are ACTIVELY engaged in the driving process and follow a simple system that gets them from point to point based upon ther abilities to read a driving situation not luck-

A defensive driver will-

Scan

Actively scan the roadway a distance of 12 to 15 seconds ahead: Looking for signs, signals, and potential problems.  Keep your eyes moving.  (Refer to Vision- Chapter 15).  Develop a pattern to your visual search.  Include the rear-view and side mirrors, as well as the dash.  Check ahead from one side of the road to the other.  You will have a complete traffic picture around you.  By aiming high and keeping your eyes moving, you will center your vehicle in your lane on straight roads and in curvatures.  At intersections, the scan should include cross traffic as far as possible before and as you enter the intersection.

Identify

From all the information your eyes are scanning, you must select the critical data.  The signs, signals, hazards and problems identified that require a decision on your part: you’re selective seeing ability.

Focus on other vehicles, pedestrians, and animals, stationary and moving objects, and traffic devices that may affect your travel path.  You are in motion; you are getting closer to what you have identified.  If you were scanning far enough ahead, you still have 8 to 10 seconds before you will reach the indentified hazard.

Predict

Ask yourself: “what if…?”  What is the “worst case scenario” for each of the two identified items?  You need to predict two levels- “What is the most probable?” and the “worst case scenario”.  You need to know in advance that the potential travel paths are and the timing of relative hazard movements that will create closed or changing spaces.

You must expect the unexpected be prepared for sudden movements of other road users.  Make sure they see you!  The use of the horn and/or flashing the high beams is effective means of getting attention.  Make “eye to eye” contact! Another road user looking at you knows you are present, and is not likely to enter your travel path.  You are now 6-8 seconds from the identified hazard.

Decide

You must decide what you are going to do to minimize your risk.  While predicting the two levels of danger from the upcoming situation, you communicated your presence and hopefully obtained “eye to eye” contact.

 Now you must adapt to the potential hazard.  Your travel path and vehicle speed are the two main aspects of control available to you.  Reduction of speed will give you more time before you reach the hazard.  The situation can change in this extra time.  Reduced speed will also lower the force of impact should a collision occur.  A change of lane or lane position will create a larger “space cushion” between you and the hazard.

Decide on two levels – “What evasive maneuver will I employ?”  Leave yourself an out. “Where will I go?” or “What will I do?”  You are still 4-6 seconds away from the hazard. 

Execute

Immediately, execute stage one.  Change your travel path or vehicle speed or both

In so doing, you have minimized the probability of danger.  Time to the hazard has been increased.  Space between you and the hazard, in case the “worse case scenario” still develops, has also been increased.  The probable danger has been reduce; however, you still have your stage two decision to execute should the “worst case scenario” occur; your “out” if the conflict develops.  You have acted in anticipation and your decision is already made for your “out”.  You are programmed for action.  In other words, you have already decided and have saved the normal decision making time in an emergency situation. 

How to avoid the skid-

In light of our last post about Skid vehicle training we wanted to post up a "how to" on correcting for a skid IF one should occur--

When a wheel or wheels slide against the roadway due to insufficient traction, the vehicle is skidding.

Poor traction conditions (Chapter 17), a sudden change of acceleration, hard braking, a sudden change of direction or a combination of these factors cause skids. The usual result is a loss of directional control.

FRONT WHEEL SKIDS

The front wheels slide and your vehicle continues straight ahead.

1)      Excessive brake pressure locks the front wheels (not with ABS brakes), the vehicle will not react to steering input. It continues straight.

WHAT TO DO:

·         Target and steer towards the travel path

·         Release the brake pedal

·         Reapply the brake more gently to continue reducing speed

2)      A sharp turn of the steering and your vehicle continues straight (under-steer)

WHAT TO DO:

·         Unwind the steering slightly to regain steering control (jab brake)

·         Target and steer towards the travel path

3)      With a  front wheel drive vehicle, while accelerating, you turn the steering and your vehicle continues straight (under-steer)

WHAT TO DO:

·         Shift to neutral (depress the clutch)

·         Jab brake (weight transfer to front)

·         Target and steer toward the travel path

·         Re-engage the transmission and proceed at a slower speed.

REAR WHEEL SKIDS

The rear wheels slide and the rear of your vehicle moves to the right or left.

1)      While turning, the rear of your vehicle slides towards the outside of the curve (over-steer)

2)      While driving in reduced traction conditions, you downshift, release the accelerator quickly or accelerate sharply and the rear of your vehicle begins to slide to the side.

WHAT TO DO:

·         Shift to neutral (depress the clutch)

·         Target and steer toward the intended travel path.

As the vehicle straightens from the first skid, the rear of your vehicle may continue past the straight position and begin to slide in the opposite direction (fish-tail –lateral acceleration)

·         Target the desired travel path

·         Input steering corrections, quickly and smoothly, to direct your vehicle where you are looking

·         When under control , reduce your speed gently

·         Re-engage the transmission and proceed at a slower speed.

Skid training-- don't slide into this

In response to many people who ask about skid training-- we found a GREAT article that shows why we at All Seasons DO NOT endorse nor use the skid monster or other "skid training" devices

In the U.S. there are some driving schools that have added a “skid car” component to their driving lessons. The goal of skid car training is to increase the car control skills of the operator, which in theory should create a safer drive (i.e., one that has a reduced likelihood of a crash). However, rather than actually improving novice driver safety, research shows that skid car training can actually decrease the safety of a novice driver. Three references (and with a little scouting around, there are several others) to appropriate studies are provided as the end of this article that are used as a basis for these conclusions.

At first blush, this seems counter intuitive – how can something designed to increase your car control skills actually have a detrimental effect? Well, the prevailing theory is that skid car training results in an over-confidence in novice drivers thus putting them into a mindset to take greater risks than optimal. The real dangers to novice drivers are not in car control, per se, but not being able to manage risk properly. Risk management can be taught in car clinics, but in a very controlled, repeatable manner which includes dealing with distractions, recognizing hazardous conditions, and reacting appropriately.

There are several problems with skid car training as follows:

1) Fun vs training. There is no question a session in a skid car is fun and for an experienced driver will probably not be detrimental. However, for a novice it becomes a fun exercise at a time when the focus should be on learning how to drive a car properly. Any time a novice gets behind the wheel, it should be taken as a serious endeavor and the focus should be on learning how to manage their environment.

2) Not in your own vehicle. A key component is getting novice drivers comfortable in their own vehicles. In car clinics, drivers are able to supplement their driving lessons with experience in the vehicle they will be driving after licensure.

3) Not controlled and deliberate. While skid cars are fun, the ability to build skills in a controlled, progressive environment is key. Students should be able to run the same “drill” repeatedly, thus creating a “driving program” that supplements their drivers education. Another key problem with skid cars is that it is quite difficult to produce a set of “training drills” that can be practiced repeatedly.

4) Not research focused. There is a body of research that points out items such as hazard perception and distraction management are the true issues that trip-up novice drivers. In order to have a positive impact, supplemental training should focus on these areas. Car control should be an implicit part of the training and not the central point, which is why skid cars can be detrimental.

The following excerpt from a study done in Norway was particularly troubling for skid car use in training:

“. . . the effects of skid training have been disappointing: the number of crashes on slippery roads has increased among young men (18-24 years) (1) in Norway when skid training was adopted as a part of driver training.”

And the study continues with:

“Katila et al. (1) discussed this failure of these skid courses in these countries. They found that the increase in drivers’ confidence in their own skills in driving on slippery road conditions. Maneuvering skills give the young driver a feeling that he or she is capable of controlling the car and thereby get satisfaction from successful operations. The more difficult the operations, the greater the satisfaction is. Rewarding use of maneuvering skills probably leads to a generalization of maneuvering operations from exercises in emergency conditions to ordinary driving on slippery roads. Because of their increased confidence, drivers do not avoid difficult driving conditions or they can even take on more demanding driving tasks by driving at a higher speed”

An excerpt from information on a program in Australia (2) with addresses the goals of advanced driver training without the shortcomings of skid car training:

“The course is taught over one day via a combination of theoretical discussion in a classroom and practical experience undertaken in participants’ own cars.Practical exercises are conducted at low speeds under the supervision of expert trainers...”


The bottom line is that training novice drivers is tricky business and sometimes counter-intuitive. When looking into driving schools for your teen, ask pointed questions about the research behind their program. And in the case of skid cars, be very wary of any driving school that uses skid cars as they probably have paid very little attention to the true effects of their program.
References:

1 - Katila, A., Keskinen, E., and Hatakka, M. Conflicting Goals of Skid Training, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Volume 28, 1996, Pages 785-789

2- http://www.aami.com.au/Resources/pdf/aami-fact-sheets/AAMI-Facts_Skilled...