#Keysmith definition how to#
#Keysmith definition drivers#
#Keysmith definition driver#

Keeping in mind rules about truck driving safety such as the 5 Keys will help you keep more of your hard-earned dollars. For you, this means more downtime higher fuel, repair, and maintenance costs fewer miles and, ultimately, less money in your wallet. By driving aggressively, you are actually increasing wear and tear on your drivetrain and braking system and significantly reducing your MPG. Let’s switch this around for just a minute and think about your equipment. With that information at a distance, there is space to think in, and plenty of time to react.” Dollar Signs

#Keysmith definition drivers#

With their advanced viewing skills, Smith System drivers see problems well ahead.

#Keysmith definition driver#

“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.

With space and time on your side, you have more time to see, think and do. Using the Smith System to practice truck driving safety and create space around your truck can actually reduce your stress levels! 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. Being stressed out behind the wheel can and does lead to aggressive driving.īut it doesn’t have to be that way. Studies have shown that just climbing into the driver’s seat can raise your blood pressure by several points. It increases your blood pressure, which carries the risk of hypertension, stroke, and a handful of other scary and deadly ailments. Stress increases fatigue, prevents high-quality sleep, and can adversely affect your decision-making skills. Make Sure They See Youĭirect 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! Stressing the Pointĭriving a truck is stressful. Don’t wait until the last minute to try to maneuver into a better position, or you may get stuck in a bad spot. Think “space cushion”: Anticipate potential hazards and be sure to set yourself up with a way out. Keep Your Eyes MovingĪvoid focusing on any one object for more than 2 seconds: Can’t remember the last exit-or the last few miles, for that matter? You’ve been on autopilot! Distracted driving - daydreaming or thinking about things other than the job at hand - can be a recipe for disaster. Don’t be caught off guard scan those mirrors. Scan mirrors every 5–8 seconds - at highway speeds, the landscape of traffic and terrain changes quickly. 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.

When dealing with hills and curves, be sure to adjust your speed accordingly, as you never know what’s on the other side. Scanning the road this far ahead gives you more information with which to make decisions.

At 25 mph, that may be a city block at 60 mph, it’s a quarter of a mile. Maintain eye lead time: Look ahead a minimum of 15 seconds. Using the mnemonic “All good kids like milk” is a good way to remember the “A,” “G,” “K,” “L” and “M” of Smith’s 5 Keys: Today at PAM, we follow Smith’s trademarked 5 Keys - relevant to truck driving safety as well as general road safety - to stay safe out there.

#Keysmith definition how to#

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. Navy, reached this conclusion decades ago and founded the Smith System ® driving school in 1952. Smith, a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Truck driving safety is something every truck driver thinks about, but how do you put what you’ve learned about it into practice? 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. Smith System Driving: 5 Keys To Truck Safety