The Smith System

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The Smith System

• The most widely used system for improving
  defensive driving!!

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The 5 rules of defensive driving

• Aim High and Look Ahead (not down)
• Keep Your Eyes Moving
• Get the Big Picture
• Make Sure Others See You
• Leave Yourself a Way Out

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1. Aim High and Look Ahead (not down)

• Look down the road at what is ahead
• Watch the driver in front of you
• Dont look down at the road directly in front of
  you (difficult for new drivers)

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2. Keep Your Eyes Moving

• Search the scene constantly
• Always be looking for changes on the road or
  dangerous conditions that may arise
• List in your notebook 3 general changes or
  dangerous conditions that may arise.

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3. Get the BIG Picture

• Be sure you scan the entire scene in front of you
• Always be looking for hazards, pedestrians,
  animals, and road signs

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4. Make Sure Others See You

• Communicate with other drivers and pedestrians
• Drive where others can see you (not in the blind
  spots of other cars, not behind large trucks)
• Signal your intentions to turn or change lanes
• Tap your brakes so others know you are slowing or
  stopping

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5. Leave Yourself a Way Out

• Position yourself so that you keep a margin of
  space around it, in case of emergency
• Always be conscious of your following distance
• Leave space between yourself and the car in front
  of you when approaching a red light
• Why would you leave space ahead of you at a red
  light? List the 2 reasons in your notebook.