Listen to this episode from A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs on Spotify. If youre a truck driver who only delivers within your state and never crosses other state lines, you dont need to pass the CDL physical exam (nor DOT physical rules). The final rule for the Smith System is Make Sure You Are Seen. 13903-2118. Remain focused on the road at all times by not engaging in. Dont wait until the last minute to try to maneuver into a better position, or you may get stuck in a bad spot. Youve been on autopilot! These five rules can dramatically reduce the risk of major accidents on both highways and roads. When traffic density prevents proper following distance, your speed must be reduced and attention sharpened for trouble clues. Minimum separation (to be able to pull up in time if things go pear shaped in front), is 2 seconds, and 3-4 seconds means plenty of time to pull up undramatically without throwing granny through the windscreen. Focusing on any object for too long diminishes your peripheral vision. Staying alert of the dangers and traffic. Truck driving safety is something every truck driver thinks about, but how do you put what youve learned about it into practice? Stress increases fatigue, prevents high-quality sleep, and can adversely affect your decision-making skills. Leave Yourself an Out The Smith System was invented by. Choose the proper lane and adjust speed accordingly to maintain your space cushion. Keeping in mind rules about truck driving safety such as the 5 Keys will help you keep more of your hard-earned dollars. At PAM, we help our drivers master the 5 Keys, because driver safety is always a top priority. Look ahead to where you will be at least 15 seconds into your future. Direct eye contact with other drivers, using your headlights or flashers, and of course a short blast of your city or air horn will help you communicate with other traffic and make sure they see you! If you lose part of the cushion, work to keep at least the front and one side open. Truck Drivers and Sun Exposure You may have heard the phrase truck driver wrinkles, but the more technical term is unilateral, Read More Real-World Risks for Truck Drivers & Sun ExposureContinue, A CDL physical is a requirement for all commercial drivers who drive across state lines. I didnt mean to make this comment as long as I have but I just wanted to let you know youre doing a marvelous job, keep up the good work!!!!!!!! This rule Driving systems are common in the world of commercial driving. Episode one hundred and forty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at "Light My Fire" by the Doors, the history of cool jazz, and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It has also been invaluable to me when riding a motorcycle. For you, this means more downtime; higher fuel, repair, and maintenance costs; fewer miles; and, ultimately, less money in your wallet. Im sure they know or heard about the Smith System. As a motorist, it is our responsibility to operate vehicles safely and in a sensible manner. All the best! The first rule for this method is Aim high in steering. Do not focus attention on insignificant objects. Stay vigilant, prepared, and remember to be a proactive driver. People also ask, what are the five parts of the Smith System? That is your following distance. Smith Systems aims to teach drivers differently, and they provide drivers with the tools and knowledge they need to make smarter decisions while behind the wheel. Colorado -- 720-741-1776 Smith360 offers telematics and advanced GPS location to help better monitor and track your fleet, too. The Smith5Keys apply to all types of driving conditions, making the training effective from the highways of Los Angeles to the roads of India. Louisiana: New Orleans -- 504-434-4701 Energy drinks can only do so much before they cause the body to crash, and any repetitive motion sends us into a trance. You cant get the big picture without doing a complete walk-around. Set your sets high, look ahead where your vehicle will be in 15 seconds in the future (30mph= a block and a half ahead. Scan all intersections before entering them. An active mind is better able to resist the effects of fatigue. How Do You Know if Being a Truck Driver is Right For You? One or more of the 5 points in the system always slip my mind and its good to have them in print to refer to. When trying to save lives, reduce collisions and prevent injuries, the system works very well. Pull to the right side of the road and do so swiftly, but cautiously when approached by emergency vehicles. Sign up to receive the latest PAM blog articles in your inbox. Borehamwood,Herts WD6 1QQ,England, United Kingdom Drury Embry, 27nd Street, Binghamton, NY. Be sure your warnings are heeded. I also took drivers ed about the same time Dave Perkins did and watched a film on the Smith system which was reinforced by my instructor. Whenever possible, use pull-through parking. Operating Semi Trucks in Snow and Bad Winter Weather, Avoid These Hiring Mistakes When Interviewing Truck Drivers, Truck Drivers Can Improve Their Mental Health While on the Road. 2- Get the Big Picture. The first rule for this method is "Aim high in steering". to stay current with law changes and best driving practices. For drivers to see, think, and react is key to keeping them safe on the road. The worst thing a driver can do is assume. Do not follow other vehicles too closely, and always anticipate what choices other drivers make. If you feel you are coming into another drivers blind spot, use the horn to get their attention. 2022 Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc. . This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I guess the only way to find out is to ask. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality! 5- Make Sure They See You. U.S. Headquarters: 2301 East Lamar Blvd., Ste. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Arizona -- 480-795-3415 ahead not only avoids rear-end collisions, but also alerts other drivers behind your vehicle to slow down. Dont be caught off guard; scan those mirrors. Eye activity stimulates the brain. But if you drive vehicles interstate with a weight of, Read More How To Prepare for Your CDL DOT PhysicalContinue, Real-World Risks for Truck Drivers & Sun Exposure, Your eyes are not designed to work at a faster pace than walking, Look ahead and envision where youll be in 15 seconds, 15 seconds offers you a great margin of safety and ample advanced warning, Use the increased lead time to make driving more economical and efficient, Scan ahead, but dont forget to look at the rear and sides, Continually scan and update your information, Focus on only the most important objects on the road, Allow for proper distancing to eliminate any visual barriers in your way, Allow for enough distance to make your own decisions and not rely on the individual in front of you, Dont focus on a single object for too long or risk lowering some peripheral vision, Before entering an intersection, scan thoroughly, Resist fatigue by continually stimulating your mind with eye activity, Scan for and avoid drivers that look distracted, Avoid bringing your own distractions into your vehicle, Surround yourself with space rather than vehicles, Adjust your speed to allow enough space and cushion, Work to keep your front and side open even if you lose space in other areas, Switch lanes and do your best to avoid anyone that may be tailgating you, Look for potential danger early on so that you can react accordingly, Send warning signals early if you think that theres a potential threat on the road, Use your hazards or other warning devices to get the attention of other motorists, Eye contact remains vital, but dont use it as the only tool to prevent an accident. Life behind the wheel for a Smith System driver is no longer a series of last-second decisions, like it is for the people around us who are fighting their way to their next destination . The Smith 5 Keys is a system, proven to work, that can help reduce your risk of accidents on the road. Phone:1 (800) 374-8373 Florida -- 813-540-7600 Maintain a safe following distance. Erratic and angry drivers take up a large portion of the traffic we see daily, so avoid major accidents by noticing how other drivers behave on the road. Texas: Austin/San Antonio -- 210-978-0858 What is the 5 Smith System? It increases your blood pressure, which carries the risk of hypertension, stroke, and a handful of other scary and deadly ailments. The Smith5Keysare designed to provide drivers with the knowledge and skills to create three important things while driving: The Smith5Keys help drivers see, think and act their way through various driving environments, challenges and changes that exist regardless of where they travel or the vehicles they operate. The fourth principle of the Smith System states to leave yourself a way out. I have been looking for this for years. The first rule for this method is "Aim high in steering". I feel like not only can the Smith System save time, money and effort, but there would be less damage to other peoples property and save damage that could be on the truck eventually, from bad driving habits, but most importantly the system can and I am sure has saved lives!!!!! "Smith System," "Aim High In Steering," "Get The Big Picture," "Keep Your Eyes Moving," "Leave Yourself An Out," "Make Sure They See You," are federally registered trademarks licensed exclusively to Smith System . COVID-19: Learn About Smith Systems Commitment to Your Safety and Health. It is all of our responsibility to keep the trucking industry safe. Consider taking an. Keep your eyes moving! That is your following distance. 4 C. 15 D. Be aware of the vehicle in front of you. The company I am was with now was bought out by another company which is called QC, out of Tampa Florida. The average person has not adjusted visually or mentally to the higher speeds of motor vehicles. If you feel you are coming into another drivers blind spot, use the horn to get their attention. Having the whole picture means that you are doing your part to keep your vehicle as safe as possible while moving 1000ft a second. Thanks for replying. His chief complaint was that parochial driving schools taught drivers only how to mechanically operate vehicles in general, not how to drive safely by avoiding accidents using a space cushion. 50mph=1/4 mile ahead) 2. Make the roads a safe place by employing the same methods we use with our drivers. Why Its Prudent for Truck Drivers to Take Vacations. Keep a 7-second minimum following distance: Select a fixed object ahead and count 1,001, 1,002, 1,003, etc., until you reach that landmark. May the Good Lord protect and Bless and keep You all safe!!!!!!!!!! When I was researching ways to accomplish this back in the 1990s, I was so impressed with what I saw when I came across the Smith System and felt it would deliver exactly what it promised. Make Sure They See You At 25 mph, that may be a city block; at 60 mph, its a quarter of a mile. 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. While scanning ahead, do not forget the sides and rear. Your eye-lead time is the time/distance that you look down the road. Scanning the road ahead of you is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of accidents. Ill pass it on to my motorcyclist pals. Phone 1.817.652.6969 | Toll Free 1.800.777.7648 US/Canada | Fax 1.817.652.1942 Smith System works and is effective you cant do better than to practice the 5 keys every time you get behind the wheel! Texas: Dallas/Fort Worth -- 817-704-0101 Thank you for your comment. Distracted driving daydreaming or thinking about things other than the job at hand can be a recipe for disaster. As professionals, we have the responsibility to not only learn truck driving safety, but also to utilize any resource we can to reduce the chance of accidents and protect ourselves and the motoring public. 2. Don't be caught off guard; scan those mirrors. 1- Aim High in Steering. Harold Smith distilled the human behaviors that led to accidents and established simple methods drivers can use to avoid accidents. Keep your eyes moving 4. You must concentrate on the job of . 3- Keep Your Eyes Moving. Staying alert of the dangers and traffic ahead not only . You cant bring someone back whos gone. The first key aims to reduce collisions by being able to use distant information that you have available. I dont know if they have used the Smith System or not but maybe I can talk to someone to tell them about the system. Thank you for your submission. But now Ive got an iPad mini and I can see the five keys to Smith System anytime I want. Using the mnemonic All good kids like milk is a good way to remember the A, G, K, L and M of Smiths 5 Keys: Maintain eye lead time: Look ahead a minimum of 15 seconds. Aim High. Lombard, IL 60148, While there are many driving systems, the Smith System is a commonly used method for many drivers. Having the whole picture means that you are doing your part to keep your vehicle as safe as possible while moving 1000 ft a second. Eliminate visual barriers by establishing proper following distance. As a motorist, it is our responsibility to operate vehicles safely and in a sensible manner. How Do YOU Get and Keep the Big Picture? So wonderful to discover somebody with some You need a sixth, and perhaps the most important point that space and time are your friend. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode. The driver should steer and focus their attention high, so as to view the road as whole and not just a few feet ahead. There are five basic principles that a learner should be well informed on. Consistent eye movement prevents your body from entering the trance state, keeping you alert to every driving condition ahead of you. If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, please. Use your turn signal! The Smith5Keys. 2- Get the Big Picture 3- Keep Your Eyes Moving 4- Leave Yourself an Out 5- Make Sure They See You. Obviously, looking that far ahead won't always be possible. <p>[00:00:00] Hey, everyone. The Big Picture This includes learning proper spacing so that if any accidents or issues on the road occur, you can safely get out of harms way. By driving aggressively, you are actually increasing wear and tear on your drivetrain and braking system and significantly reducing your MPG. As a driver, make sure that other drivers can see you and anticipate your move. Watch out for Dumpsters or yellow bollard poles, as they seem to be common out-of-nowhere culprits. Erratic and angry drivers take up a large portion of the traffic we see daily, so avoid major accidents by noticing how other drivers behave on the road. Consider taking an online refresher driving course to stay current with law changes and best driving practices. 1. When possible, surround your vehicle with space. Sign up to get the latest PAM email and text job alerts. When dealing with hills and curves, be sure to adjust your speed accordingly, as you never know whats on the other side. As you well may know, things and property can be fixed or replaced but once youre gone, youre gone and thats it. . The Smith System had already been proven successful around the world for over 40 years, and after taking the training, I understood why.. The worst thing a driver can do is assume. I think I said every time, but I'm particularly thrilled about today's guest. Do not take eye contact for granted. Do not tailgate other vehicles too closely, and always anticipate other drivers moves. Make sure they see you 6 Keys to Aiming High in Steering 1. I do not think I have read something like this before. . What you are doing is so very important!!! Stay alert to the relevant information that can assist you in making well-informed decisions. Many people have seen the picture of a truck driver with sun damage on half his face. Aim High Double eye lead time to 30 seconds ahead when possible 3. We also take affirmative action to offer employment and advancement opportunities to all applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. What to Do When Encountering Certain Traffic Signals, PRESS RELEASE: Top Driver Acquires Drive Home Safe Driving. Leave yourself an out 5. You must eliminate all barriers that interfere with getting the picture. Clark Gray, PAM Transports vice president of driver resources and compliance, has this to say about the Smith Systems value for promoting truck driving safety: My goal has always been to find a way to jump-start their training by giving new drivers the same tools and techniques used by veteran drivers. When you have a complete picture of the current traffic, you can reduce your risk of traffic mistakes. The closer any driver is to the one in front the greater their vulnerability to crashes. Out of the fleets on the Fortune 500 list, more than half have chosen the Smith 5 Keys system to keep their drivers safe. When drivers know that youre around and have seen you, this reduces the risk of a traffic conflict. Welcome to today's episode of Perspectives I am so thrilled. When you choose this system to make your fleet or yourself a safer driver, youll be offered a wide range of educational options, including: You can also consult with the company on the best technology to integrate into your fleet. As a commercial driver, youll be on the road day in and day out all week long. A 15-second eye-lead time provides advanced warning and gives you an additional margin of safety. First thing to remember: Dont back up if you dont have to! Avoid distractions in your vehicle and your thinking. The final rule for the Smith System is "Make Sure You Are Seen". Each of the Smith5Keys and all knowledge derived from The Smith System, (Space-Visibility-Time) Space Cushion Driving, (G.O.A.L. The Smith System 5 Keys is a simple and straightforward system that allows you to avoid making costly mistakes on the road. Jim Smith, senior vice president of training for the Smith System, puts it this way: The stress relief we talk about is one of the results of gathering information early. Aim High Studies have shown that just climbing into the drivers seat can raise your blood pressure by several points. just as dangerous as intoxicated ones. 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 First Year of Being a Truck Driver Might Be the Most Difficult. Use improved eye-lead time for more efficient and economical driving. Go Smith System!! Scan mirrors every 58 seconds at highway speeds, the landscape of traffic and terrain changes quickly. But if you do have to back up, be sure to use GOAL: Get out and look often. Be aware of your surroundings at all times may seem obvious to say, but distracted drivers are. Privacy Policy Sitemap. Home| 3. A. City Streets: When driving in a congested area, looking ahead 12 to 15 seconds is about one block at low speeds. A method of control as a driver that should be learned early on is how to leave yourself an out. The Big Picture. on Tinley Park Teen Saves the Lives of Many, on Teach Your Teen Safe Driving Techniques. We are going to be meeting Dr. Richard Schwartz who is the, he's on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard medical school. Staying alert of the dangers and traffic ahead not only avoids rear-end collisions, but it also alerts other drivers behind your vehicle to slow down. No part of these course materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means. All rights reserved. Assume other drivers can see them, assume other. The Smith System states that following these five rules can dramatically reduce the risk of major accidents on highways and roads. This rule prevents accidents by removing assumptions made behind the wheel. Our eyes are designed to work for us at walking speeds. As a driver, make sure that other drivers can see you and anticipate your move. 4- Leave Yourself an Out. Driving a truck is stressful. Use your mirrors to view oncoming vehicles. The driver should steer and focus their attention high, so as to view the road as whole and not just a few feet ahead. Keep items like collapsible fabric cones, hats, flashlights, etc., in your truck that you can use as markers when executing difficult backing procedures, especially at night. 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