Safe Driving with Driverthink

Three Must Read Driving Books ~ "Traffic - Why we Drive the way we Do", “Drive to Survive” & "Driverthink"

2010-02-18T18:35:00Z

Three driving books that can definitely enhance your safe driving experience, are Traffic - Why we Drive the way we Do, by Tom Vanderbilt, Drive to Survive by Curt Rich, and of course Driverthink. As it’s author I may be partial to Driverthink, but I would also like to highly recommend Traffic - and Drive to Survive.

One of the easiest and enjoyable ways to gain driving experience and hone driving skills is to read books or magazine articles written by the experts. I do it constantly. Even if you don’t have the chance to get to a race track every day, or perhaps don’t have years of experiences to draw from in an emergency, you can gain much by simply “reading about driving”. As you cruise the written word, you will absorb expertise that you can immediately apply as you cruise the boulevard.

I would like to offer a brief “Driverthink” review of each of these books and recommend all for those who are truly serious about their driving.

Driverthink of course, is my own book. Okay, so I’m a little prejudice! This book is a compilation of selected articles from this blog. Each article is designed to explore specific safe driving issues in comprehensive detail. The articles delve into many issues pertaining to safe driving and offer reality based suggestions not found in some of the more “politically correct” save driving venues.

I view my book as an excellent review for the more seasoned driver and a must read for newer, less experienced drivers.

You might respond to each Driverthink article differently.

• “Yeah, I know that, but I wish everyone else did.”
• “Hmm, that’s true. But I haven’t thought about it in a while.”
• “Wow, I never knew that. I can apply that to my driving.”

If you like many (see the “recent comments” page) have liked the articles in this blog you might want to grab a copy of the book as a review or for a newer driver you care about.

Traffic – Why we Drive the way we Do, by Tom Vanderbilt is an excellent analysis of traffic and how different drivers deal with it. Many of us spend long hours in traffic but have we ever really thought about what causes the many different traffic situations we find ourselves in? How does it affect our driving? How can we adjust our driving to deal with the different situations?

Tom delves very deeply into traffic, what causes it, how it affects us and how best to deal with it – both on an individual basis and as a society!

What is a late merger? Are late mergers a good or a bad thing? Will simply building more roads alleviate our traffic jams? How is traffic controlled? Adjusted? What are flow dynamics? How do we behave in different traffic environments?

Tom’s attention to detail can sometimes be a little overpowering but stay with him. The book is fascinating and his expertise is undeniable. You will learn more about traffic than you ever thought possible!

Curt Rich’s Drive to Survive takes a somewhat different tack. For most of us, driving is the single most life-threatening experience that we encounter – and we encounter this danger on a daily basis.

Curt is a combat veteran. Being one of the same (same war, in fact), it is easy for me to appreciate how Curt applies the survival instincts developed in combat to the driving experience.

But you need not go through combat to develop survival instincts nor do you have to be a combat veteran to appreciate the book. What is situational awareness? It quickly becomes instinctive in combat but it can be learned by anyone. Curt actually “color codes” the different levels of situational awareness – and situational awareness is critical to surviving when you’re driving.

I also loved his review of the “four levels of competence” borrowed from Dr. Ignatius Piazza of the Front Sight Academy, who also doesn’t claim to have invented the concept.

You are either Unconsciously incompetent, Consciously incompetent, Consciously competent or Unconsciously competent – not only with your driving but in anything you do! Hmmm? At what level am I? I hadn’t thought about that in a while!

Each of these books take a different approach to a common theme – that of being a safer, more skilled, more aware and more confident driver.

Each of these books can easily be purchased at the Driverthink store. I have also selected a few magazines that make for very educational “driver reading”. They can be found in the “Magazine Subscriptions” category.

Reading about driving sure doesn’t have to be boring!

Road Hazards – The Distracted Driver

2010-02-02T22:09:00Z

Distracted Driving has been getting a lot of attention lately. Even Oprah is getting in on the act. This is a good thing but most of the attention appears directed towards eliminating, reducing, punishing or at least educating Distracted Drivers. For those of us who already get it, a more important focus might be on how we can defend ourselves from said drivers.

Distracted Drivers are after all, Road Hazards in the first degree. They are the direct opposite of Driverthink Drivers who consistently focus on their driving. Distracted Drivers focus on – anything but!

In an effort to defend against these threats, Driverthink has taken to breaking the Distracted Driver into three basic categories. They are the Unwillingly Distracted, the Unknowingly Distracted and the Blatantly Distracted drivers.

Unwillingly distracted? Of course! How many times have we ourselves been suddenly distracted from our driving by events out of our control? This driver knows she’s driving though, and will usually recover from the distraction quickly.

The Unknowingly Distracted driver is a different animal. These drivers don’t take their driving very seriously. They haven’t learned yet that engaging in an activity which can kill you, generally requires more than casual attention. They don’t understand what a Road Hazard is and probably won’t recognize one until it becomes an emergency. You don’t want to be that “emergency”.

A second Unknowingly Distracted driver has been mesmerized, perhaps by miles of uneventful driving. He’s drifted into never-never land but will most likely recover quickly when he realizes it – or when events dictate.

The Blatantly Distracted driver is the one that really insults us but at least they can be easily identified. Their distracting endeavors are much more important to them than their safety or the safety of others and they really don’t care who knows it. Often, they’re oblivious to anyone or anything around them. Perhaps the distraction makes them feel more important. They’ll be less important though, when they’re dead!

So how do we best defend ourselves from Distracted Drivers?

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CLICK HERE to PURCHASE at Amazon.com

Situational awareness is always a critical factor when driving but we usually tend to focus only on the vehicles around us. How is the car behaving? True, a distracted driver may very well exhibit erratic vehicle behavior but not always. To defend against the distracted driver we have to elevate our situational awareness. We have to get a little more personal.

We need to peek thru their windows and get to know the people in those buggies. It’s not guns that kill – it’s people that kill. It’s not cars that kill – it’s drivers that kill! Don’t focus on the car. Focus on the driver.

So who’s driving? How’s she acting? Does he fit one of our “bad driver” profiles? What is he doing? Who’s in the car with her? How are the passengers behaving? Does the driver at least look focused?

Needless to say, if we’re waiting at a green light for the driver in front of us to lift their eyes off of their lap, we can probably suggest that they’re texting. Gotta’ treat them as if they’re blowing a 2.5 on the breathalyzer and keep distance at all cost!

A cell phone glued to the ear? Maybe it’s a hazard, maybe not. It’s not politically correct but one could suggest there’s not much difference between a cell conversation and a conversation with a passenger -- and you really don’t need two hands to safely operate a modern vehicle (although they should be quickly at the ready). More importantly, what is the conversation about? If it’s a calm relaxed conversation that’s not distracting the driver, cool. If the driver is yelling and screaming with hands flying all over the place, duck for cover. An intense business conversation requiring too much attention? Also a danger.

While we’re getting “up close and personal” with our fellow travelers, who else is in the car? Are there kids in the car? Pets? Both have been known to unwillingly distract the best of drivers. Even if the car is behaving well and the driver appears in control, it might be prudent to offer a tad more space.

What kind of conversation is the driver having with passengers? Relaxed? Animated? Having a fight? Clowning around? Is the driver involved or is she ignoring the distractions and maintaining focus? React accordingly.

Time for a quick thought. We never want to judge others by our own limitations. We’re all different people with different abilities. Not every driver that we see chatting on the phone will be distracted. I think of a trained pursuit driver who can engage in a 150 MPH chase while transmitting by radio or communicating with HQ via cell phone. She’s skilled, not distracted. She’s trained and capable of doing both.

The difference between multi-tasking drivers who become distracted and those who don’t is, “uhmm” – whether they’re distracted or not! Some drivers can safely pull off multiple tasks while maintaining driver focus. The distracted driver only “thinks” she can – but her concentration easily drifts from the road without her even realizing it.

How can you tell the difference? The capable drivers are maintaining total road focus, regardless of what else they are doing. They are ready to instantly drop any other activity and immediately zero in on a road problem if necessary. It shows.

The distracted driver doesn’t even know there’s a problem. His focus has totally drifted from driving and he won’t even realize it until its too late. If you’re eyeballing him, you’ll realize it!

So what’s the best way to defend against Distracted Drivers? Elevate your Situational Awareness. Look past the sheet metal and into the car. Make it personal. Recognizing the Distracted Driver before he becomes a Road Emergency, may very well save your life!

Are your fellow Road Warriors – Road Hazards?

2010-01-13T00:18:00Z

One might think this a silly question but, of all the Road Hazards we will inevitably encounter, many will turn out to be another driver we’re bopping along with. One of the best ways to gain an edge as to which of those drivers might be a serious Road Hazard is to profile the type of vehicle they’re likely to be driving in. Profiling has helped keep this driver out of harm’s way – far more than once!

Before going any further we should revisit the definition of a Road Hazard. A Road Hazard is not yet an emergency requiring immediate evasive action. Rather, it is something that could quickly become such an emergency. The obvious reason to identify Road Hazards is simple. It’s much easier to avoid them while they’re still Road Hazards, than it is to avoid them when they become urgent Road Emergencies. The objective of profiling, then, is to identify them before they even become obvious Road Hazards. Hmm! Who wouldn’t want that kind of edge!

It often seems that drivers with certain skill levels or lack of same, are often drawn to certain types of cars. While a majority of vehicles will attract drivers within a whole range of driving skills, certain makes or models seem to attract drivers with similar driving traits and some of those driving traits may be loosely defined as “Road Hazard at any speed”. These are the puppies we want to profile. What are the cars these drivers tend to choose?

We’re not going to name any specific vehicles here for a number of reasons, (Do I drive one?) but profiling these puppies really gets pretty basic. The next time you see a vehicle demonstrating a specific trait that could be hazardous, make a mental note of the make, brand or type of the vehicle. If, over time you continue to see the same vehicle exhibiting the same traits, you’ll soon have your own really neat and personal profiles – of cars to be aware of. You may soon find that your newly minted profiles break down in to three basic categories.

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The first is the erratic driver, or more specifically, the car he will be driving in. This driver may drive slow or be moving right along in traffic but his common trait seems to be that he can make sudden, unanticipated movements when least expected. It may be a lane invasion. Perhaps a sudden stop. Perhaps he suddenly slows down for no reason, leaving you inches from his rear bumper when you thought you had twenty car lengths of space between you. Whatever he does, it’s unexpected. He’s a Road Hazard when you see him. When he makes his unexpected move, he can quickly develop into a Road Emergency.

Your next profile could be the fast and aggressive, but actually quite skilled driver – and she’s not always bopping along in a Corvette or Mustang. This driver will buzz right on by you, but she’ll probably do it in such a way that you couldn’t hit her if you tried. The distinguishing feature of these drivers is that they are skilled and generally safe drivers. They may be fast – but they’re “smooth fast”.

If you should see one of these bad girls coming, it would be prudent to kinda’ stay put where you are. If you should suddenly make an unexpected move while she’s zinging up behind you, zipping quickly past you, or zapping back into your lane as she passes, it’s not going to be pretty. (Zinging, zipping, zapping – I like that!) Anyhow, profiles 1 and 2 very definitely do not mix! What brand of car does Profile 2 drive? I’ve got my list. Let’s see what you come up with!

Finally, there’s the third Profile. This puppy doesn’t mix with anybody. He’s fast and aggressive with driving skills that shouldn’t be allowed outside of the driveway. This guy thinks he’s a great driver but his driving skills make you wonder how he’s even keeping it on the road. You also wonder how this guy could even still be alive. In fact, many of these Profiles are quite simply not alive any longer!

Yours is still breathing though and it’s only because he relies completely on the skill of other drivers to get out of his way and avoid impact. Now you’ve been elected as one of those lucky “other drivers”. You want to get as far out of his way as possible and be ready to dodge him if he comes at you. Let him kill a tree or hopefully something else that doesn't breath. Do these threats drive certain types of cars? Hmmm!

Inherent in all this “profiling of cars as Road Hazards” stuff, is judicious use of your rear view mirrors. Too often, when we search for Road Hazards, we tend to focus on what’s out there in front of us. “What are we going to hit?” When watching for rolling Road Hazards it’s just as likely they’ll first loom large in those shiny little mirror things that we use to shave – or hopefully also to see what’s behind us. What's going to hit us?

Once you’ve developed your own vehicle profiles, it is important to remember that not all drivers of those vehicles will fit your profile traits. Drivers in other vehicles may very well still be unidentified hazards with the above noted traits. You may want to watch your targeted profile for awhile though, and consider it “instant Road Hazard until proven otherwise”!

Profiling the other cars on the road with you and the way they behave is an “odds” game. It gives you a “heads up”. It puts the odds in your favor. And who wouldn't like better odds when driving!

The Red Light Cameras are coming – to an Intersection near You!

2009-12-01T22:35:00Z

The Red Light Camera issue has left Driverthink in something of a quandary. Should we be for them or against them?

For those who are not yet familiar with these neat little devices, they are cameras set up at various intersections. They automatically take a picture or two of your favorite buggy and more specifically, its license plate, as you blow through the red light. Said picture is then mailed to you or the owner of the car, together with a summons and fine which is usually just high enough to be annoying but low enough so drivers won’t clog up the courts pleading not guilty.

At first blush, a system that penalizes drivers who wantonly blow through red lights at intersections would appear to be a good thing. Who could ever complain about an idea that would, on the surface, attempt to reduce intersection accidents? Very politically correct.

A closer look, however, seems to suggest that they actually do quite the opposite. As drivers stand on their brakes to avoid getting their pictures taken, they tend to get rear-ended from behind. Not so good.

So do these cute little devices reduce or increase accidents at their chosen locations? A simple Google of "Red Light Cameras" will quickly uncover the controversy and more than one study would seem to suggest they increase accidents. Driverthink is all for reducing accidents – but not at the expense of increasing them. Hmmm. Thus the quandary.

Of course, there’s another little issue here. Does it really matter whether the cameras are safe or not? Those little ole’ $50 summonses add up. If it’s politically correct and can put big bucks into the endless coffers of Government, then it’s a “slam dunk” for many of the officials we seem to elect. End of conversation.

Consider purchasing
the book of DRIVERTHINK

CLICK HERE to PURCHASE at Amazon.com

Yup! The Red Light Cameras are coming. You can bet on it, especially if you live in an area where they elect officials more interested in taxing you than protecting you. So how do we deal with these devilish little devices? How can we keep from getting whacked at an intersection near us?

First, we need to look at how the cameras actually work – or at least how they are supposed to work. A common misconception is that, if you’re in the intersection when the light turns Red, they’ve got you. Actually, in most all jurisdictions, being in an intersection when the light turns Red is not a no-no. It’s entering the intersection while the light is Red that’s the baddy. Thus the cameras are designed to take your picture only if you enter on Red, not if you’re already inhabiting said intersection.

Next question. How long does Yellow stay Yellow? Hmm! It varies. Some would suggest they change more quickly at the camera intersections, thus offering you greater opportunity to feed those Government coffers. You’ve got to wonder, but Section 4D.10 of the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices suggests duration of 3 to 6 seconds for the Yellow warning light.

Okay. Now we have an idea of how the cameras work and how much time we have before triggering them. What’s next?

Well we could get a GPS or Radar Detector that has the little clickers programmed in. Great. A warning device in your car that screams, “Hey! Don’t blow the Red Light here!” Screeech! Whaaaam! Oh Boy!

Okay. Here are some Driverthink thoughts on how to deal with Red Light Cameras. Surprise! They’re not much different than dealing with any other Red Light intersection.

• The busier the intersection, the more likely it will have a camera.

• Approaching an intersection is a really good time to check your rear view mirror. How close to you, is your back bumper buddy?

• Always take a good look at the intersection well before you enter it. Does it look clear and safe to get through – regardless of the traffic signal?

• Never slam on your brakes to stop at the intersection unless you really have to. If you can’t stop smoothly, move on through.

• Ease off the gas if you think you may have to stop. “I was going too fast to stop” is a rather common, but not a very valid excuse for blowing a Red Light.

• If the light goes Yellow, make your decision to stop or go, then stay with it. Don’t second guess yourself. Your indecision may not be noticed by the driver behind you. Whack!

• As you move thru the intersection, take a final glance at the light. Yellow? You made it. Red? Oops!

• Finally, always remember. It’s safety first. Paying a $50.00 fine is better than get rear-ended but even getting rear-ended is still better than getting "T-Boned!"

If our elected officials really want to prove to us that these cameras are about safety and not the revenues, they could (should) institute the following possible safeguards at Red Light Camera intersections:

• Yellow lights should never be less than six seconds.

• Yellow lights should have a blinking horizontal strobe light through the center, warning of the camera. This would warn not only the first driver approaching, but also the drivers behind. (This might reduce the revenues but hey, isn’t it supposed to be about safety?)

• Some type of signal should alert the driver at the time the picture is taken. This would allow the driver to note any unique circumstances at the time, rather than having to remember back to what happened a month or so later, when the summons finally arrives.

Until such safeguards are instituted, Driverthink will have to agree with those who feel Red Light Cameras are really just another Government tax, and not at all about safety. Perhaps if we all join together and plead the summons’ in court, it would clog the courts to the point where the officials would have to re-think their insanity or succumb to the safeguards suggested above.

With the appropriate safeguards in place then, yes. We could agree that Red Light Cameras could probably save lives.

What do you think?

Comments on Driverthink

2009-11-10T15:57:00Z

I continue to receive many interesting comments on the individual articles here at Driverthink (see the Recent Comments page above).

If you have enjoyed the book or the website Driverthink, please feel free to make any general comments here. I very much look forward to reading them.

If you haven't yet read the book but have enjoyed the articles, please consider a purchase for yourself, family or friends. Thank you.

CLICK HERE to PURCHASE at Amazon.com

The Highway Emergency. Should I Panic Brake or Panic Steer?

2009-09-24T15:36:00Z

There’s a really good reason to keep as much clear space as possible, around your vehicle when you’re driving. You never know when you’ll need it.

There’s a really good reason to always know how much space you’ve got around you when you’re driving. You may need that space – very quickly!

You may need that space if you suddenly choose to Panic Brake or Panic Steer.

Strange things can happen when we’re boogying down the highways and byways. Strange things can happen very quickly.

The car in front of you blows a tire and suddenly goes sideways, at seventy miles an hour. Maybe it decides to suddenly lock brakes in front of you because the driver realizes he’s missing his turnoff and he hasn’t got a clue you’re behind him. Ever happen?

Maybe that car suddenly swerves out of its lane directly into yours for the same reason, with the brake lights glowing.

That car “nosing” out of the side street suddenly decides to come on out – thirty feet in front of you when you’re doing forty.

You suddenly get cut off by a car and it suddenly hits the brakes because of something ahead of it that it didn’t quite factor in. (Or maybe it’s just tripping the brake lights to scare the bejesus out of you, because you were going too slow in the passing lane.)

Yup, thousands of things can suddenly happen directly in front of you at the least suspecting moment and when they do, you’re going to have to take immediate evasive action to avoid the bruises and contusions.

Consider purchasing
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CLICK HERE to PURCHASE at Amazon.com

When a sudden emergency materializes in front of you and you’re moving at any speed, you really only have three options. You can panic brake. You can panic steer, or as an absolutely last resort, you can try to do both. You’ve got to make the choice and you may only have nanoseconds to make it in. You can add a few of those nanoseconds if you’ve subconsciously already set up an escape and those extra nanoseconds can mean the difference between clear sailing or no more Monday mornings.

When suddenly faced with such an untimely event, your first option will almost always be the brakes. If you instantly determine that you will have room to stop, or if you are crowded by cars on both sides of you, it very well may be your only option. Best of luck!

Many drivers, however, will never consider the second option. Steer around it. If you realize that there’s simply no way you’ll be able to avoid the crash by braking, this may quickly become your best option. Now is when really “knowing your machine” will come in to play. Knowing how your particular make and model will react under panic steering will definitely give you the edge. Will it get loose and go sideways? How will it recover? How do I recover it? These are the driving skills that can keep you alive if you have them – and make that second option far more appealing.

The third option is to both brake and steer. Hmm. This is where the skill part really kicks in. Braking hard while steering will almost certainly loosen up the car and put it into a skid. If you know that, a controlled skid might work for you. This driver has avoided more than one crunch by intentionally going sideways, but you’d better have practiced it before you try it.

That third option will also become much more appealing if your chosen buggy happens to have Anti-lock Braking system or ABS for short. With ABS you can more safely steer while panic braking. If your vehicle happens to be so endowed, take it to a lonely, safe place and test it out. Learn how it can help you – before you really need it!

Some final thoughts about that emergency stop or steer decision:

• Know what’s around you – before you have to react. Who’s behind you? If you panic brake, are they going to rear end you?

• Decide whether to Brake or Steer. Can you safely come to an emergency stop? Do you have open space to steer around the problem?

• Decide if you can Brake and Steer. Do you need to?

• Finally, look where you want to go – not at the obstruction. If you decide to steer around, focus on the clear spot. Focus on where you want to be, not the obstruction. Most professional drivers know that our bodies and brains have an uncanny ability to take us to where we’re looking at. If you focus on the obstruction, you are likely going to drive straight into it. If you focus on where you need to be, your natural reactions will more likely take you there. So instantly look for an opening and keep your eyes focused on the opening, not the obstruction.

Should I panic Brake or Panic Steer? Only you will be able to decide, but just remember two things. The greater the distance between you and the vehicles in front of you, beside you and behind you, the better your chances of survival. And knowing what’s around you before you have to make that panic decision may very well save your life.

Situational Awareness and Safe Driving

2009-08-10T18:14:00Z

It’s kind of fascinating how many of us never really know what’s going on around us. When it comes to driving, it can even be a bit scary.

So what exactly is Situational Awareness? Uhmm. Knowing what’s going on around us.

For a soldier in combat, Situational Awareness is everything. Why? Because if they don’t know what’s going on around them, that something they don’t know about – can kill them. They have drones taking pictures, aircraft on the radio and of course, their eyeballs. With Situational Awareness they have advantage. Without it? ‘Nuff said.

Fighter pilots have all kinds of good stuff to assist their situational awareness. Heads up displays, radio, radar arrays and of course, their eyeballs.

Race car drivers have spotters to tell them what’s going on around them. They listen to them on their radios and of course, they have their eyeballs.

These professionals fine tune their ability to know what’s going on around them. If they don’t, they can get really dead, really fast. One or two lethal encounters with the unknown and Situational Awareness fast becomes Automatic Instinct.

I once watched two Marines walking by a row of stores. They were going to have to turn a blind corner to get where they were going. One of the guys had a full chest of medals. The other, was less endowed – an obvious new recruit. As they approached the blind corner, the rookie simply swung around it and kept on walking. The veteran took an “ever so quick” peak around the corner before proceeding. “Hmmm,” I thought to myself, kind of amused. “Instinctive Situational Awareness” – at work!

Ever surprise a vet or a soldier with your presence? Instant reaction? His Situational Awareness broke down and he suddenly realizes he’s at risk. The adrenaline flows.

For most of our everyday driving, (and basic living), our Situational Awareness is pretty much left to our eyeballs. For the more finely tuned types, hearing will also play a part. Ears can actually do a lot of “looking around.” But for drivers? Yup, it’s pretty much our eyeballs and our Rear View Mirrors.

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Think everyone has built in Situational Awareness? Not so sure? Spend a little time with a shopping cart in any major store. I often cruise around the isles, and sure enough, someone will be parked in the middle of the isle, with tunnel vision focus on the shelves of offerings. I’ll pull up to them, rev up my shopping cart a few times but nope! They haven’t got a clue I’m even there. I often just stand there and wait to see how long it will take them to realize someone is there and they’re blocking said isle.

Eventually, sometimes, they’ll finally realize I’m there and mumble a barely audible “Oops, Sorry.” Sorry? I could have been an international terrorist ready to slit their throat and they simply would have never seen it coming! It fascinates me. They simply have ZERO Situational Awareness. I often wonder if they drive in the same cocoon. In combat, they’d be dead in a day.

Fortunately, most of these shopping card types, will never face a serious threat and their total lack of awareness won’t be much of a danger to them. As drivers, however, it is kind of nice to know what’s going on around us. Danger can be anywhere.

Where am I headed? Who’s there? Who’s coming up on me from behind? Which lane is she in? How is he driving? Is there a driver behind me when I’m in the fast lane – who wants to go faster? Is he going to swerve around me and cut me off to get by? Can I safely change lanes to get out of his way? If I’m doing seventy plus and she wants to do ninety, I’ll be happy to accommodate her. But, hmmm. I’ve at least got to know she’s there!

How many times have we followed someone moving slowly in the passing lane? We sit there waiting for her to move (together with the forty or so cars stacked up behind us) but it quickly becomes obvious she doesn’t have even the remotest clue we’re behind her. In fact, she really doesn’t notice much of anything if it’s not going on within twenty feet of her front windshield. Not really very good. Definitely not very safe!

Where is the threat? We simply won’t know if we don’t develop our Situational Awareness and when we’re driving, there’s always a threat out there somewhere. It’s kind of nice to know where it is.

If you are a driver who never really pays attention to anything but the bumper in front of you, try taking a look around. Try to expand your Situational Awareness. It could very well save your life!

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News Release. Safe Driving With Driverthink Announces Publication of The Book "Driverthink".

2009-06-19T12:08:00Z

Port Jefferson Station, New York (PressExposure) June 18, 2009

Safe Driving with Driverthink at www.driverthink.com is proud to announce the publication of the book "Driverthink". Driverthink is a compilation of the blog articles presenting safe driving tips, ideas and suggestions for the everyday driver.

Driverthink is not your typical "Go Slow and everything will be okay" driving book. Speed may kill – but Unskilled Driving can get definitely get you killed!!

Driverthink provides a critical review for the seasoned driver and is an absolute "must read" for newer, younger drivers with lesser driving experience.

Each Driverthink article in this exciting new book, is designed to explore specific safe driving issues in comprehensive detail. Driverthink delves into many issues pertaining to responsible, safe driving and offers reality based suggestions not found in more the more "politically correct" safe driving venues.

These light and lively articles expose the lesser known driving skills required to be truly skilled drivers, and present specific suggestions on how to best deal with the many hazardous driving situations we encounter on our roadways.

The Driverthink blog has been linked to by a number of driving and automotive websites. Many have chosen to publish Driverthink articles on their sites as well.

Now available at only $14.95, Driverthink belongs on every driver’s bookshelf. It is also an excellent "life saving" gift for drivers of any age group

Don’t just think about your driving. Buy this book and Driverthink about your driving. It just may save your life!

Title: Driverthink
ISBN: 13: 9781598589849

Driverthink is available at online booksellers now. Simply search "Driverthink".

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About Driverthink

Driverthink is presented and authored by Frank Miller. All rights reserved.
(631) 828-1955
Driverthink@Optonline.net
http://www.driverthink.com

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Lane Changes and Merges. That “Other” Lane.

2009-06-16T12:33:00Z

Ever been cruising along in the left lane of a three lane highway? You decide to swing back over into the center lane since you’re no longer passing anyone. You check your rear views and the center lane you want to be in is clean and green. You make your lane change, and suddenly – there’s another vehicle filling up your rearview mirror about 3 inches off of your back bumper.

“Where the heck did he come from!” You brace for impact.

He came from your blind spot in the far right lane. He came from the “other lane”! Yup. He decided to change into center lane at the same time you did, and you almost ended up in each other’s laps.

How often have we seen this happen? Perhaps we’re in the center lane and two cars ahead of us decide to occupy our lane from opposite sides of the highway? We watch as they merge together and jam on our brakes to avoid them as they get ready to lock door handles. If we’re lucky, one or both of them suddenly realize what’s happening and the panic swerve back to where they came from avoids the crumpled side panels – or worse. Hopefully, neither of them over corrects into a ditch or goes sideways in the process.

Perhaps we’re merging on to a highway or pulling out from a parking lot. We check the lane we’re going to be pulling into and it’s clear, but there is a buggy over in the far left lane. Not to worry, off we go – at just the same time as that far left lane critter decides to pull in to our lane at about ninety miles per hour.

"Whoe boy!" Another close one.

So how can we avoid impending chaos from the other lane?

When making a lane change it behooves us to always, “check the other lane”. Not just the one we want to be in, but also that other lane with a driver that could suddenly switch into ours. It’s also kind of nice to recognize when we may be that “other lane driver.”

On the highway, this may require a little extra effort. Unless we’re blessed with unusually perceptive side view mirrors, it will probably require the “look over your shoulder” routine. Even though the side view mirrors are clear, a quick glance over the shoulder will usually provide a last minute glimpse of the other lane and any activity taking place in it that could completely ruin the day.

Situational awareness and speed control will also play a huge roll when dealing with the “other lane”. If we’ve just comfortably passed the cars in that other lane, chances are they won’t be there when we make our change into the center lane, as long as we keep our speed constant or perhaps even add a little "speed burst" to get comfortably into the new lane.

If we’re travelling at the same speed as those “other lane drivers” we really have to keep the eyes open. We’re in the right or left lane and both are bogged down but the center lane is just merrily cooking along. Gotta’ really check that other lane if it's moving at the same speed as us, before we switch to center and boogie on. If we both switch center at the same time and same speed, well -- it's "togetherness!"

We also need to recognize when we are the “other lane driver.” If we’re chugging along in the left lane and are coming up to a merge (whether on the highway or from a parking lot or side street), it’s probably not the best time to swing over into the lane they’re turning into.

Those other merging drivers won’t expect us to suddenly be in their lane. If we must change lanes into slower merging traffic, we should at least be expecting that that merging driver might not notice our switch and could pull out right in front of us. We should be exercising extreme caution and reserving our escape options in the event he does.

Finally, when changing lanes, always reserve the ability to quickly reverse the decision and be back where we came from! If someone is tailgating us, we really want to be sure we’re clear, both in the lane we’re changing into and in that other lane. Once we start to make our lane change, our impetuous little buzz bomb friend is going to want to blow right by us. We won’t be able to quickly change our mind. The escape opening in our previous lane will now be occupied by our former back door bumper buddy.

We always want to be anticipating the unexpected when we’re piloting our buggies down the boulevard. But when we’re moving from that “other lane”, we should almost be “expecting” the unexpected.

Bottom line? When making a lane change, always check that “other lane”. And let’s be sure to use extra caution when we make a move from the “other lane.”

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Driving the Modern Vehicle – It’s still a Machine

2009-04-03T15:26:00Z

As modern technology has worked its magic on the vehicles we drive, it’s easy to overlook the fact that – even with all of that cushy technology, the modern car is still a machine. As comfortable and secure as it may seem, a brief interlude with an immovable object will quickly remind us that it is a very dangerous machine!

It needs to be driven as a machine. It needs to be respected as a machine. If we don’t think of it first and foremost as a machine, it will surely fine ways to remind us, often at the most unsuspecting moment.

Earlier vehicles had no problem reminding us that we were operating machines. Model T’s had to be cranked with a handle in the front of the engine to even get it started. If you didn’t adjust the plug timing and the choke just right, it could fire backwards, causing what was commonly referred to as a “Ford Fracture”. Yup, you could break your arm cranking it, before you ever got the sucker moving.

Along came the forty’s and things like electric starters had been developed, but you probably still had to manually operate the choke to get the puppy sputtering. Even in the fifty’s and sixties, you could feel most every bump in the road. Automatic transmissions were coming out so you didn’t have to do the clutch thing, but Independent Rear Suspensions were still practically unheard of except in Europe. You had a lot of “unsprung weight” to deal with. If one of your rear wheels bounced, the other one reacted. Those old leaf springs and shocks didn’t exactly cushion the blows, either.

You may have (or if you’re younger, you may not have) noticed that things have changed a teensy little bit.

Today, we hop in the car, turn the ignition key, (if the car doesn’t automatically start for us), slap it in to gear, and off we go. Neat! Yeah, we still have steering wheels and pedals on the floor that do something or other, but its basically pretty smooth sailing.

Once on the road, we barely feel the bumps and grinds of modern day potholes. Today’s suspensions, even if they're not Independent Rear, are finely tuned and offer a ride that can mimic a magic carpet. Electronic Traction Control will keep us (up to a point) from skidding off the road, even if we haven’t quite mastered the technique ourselves yet.

Cup holders abound. Mouse type things allow hopping from IPod to Satellite to GPS when we should be watching the road. Kiddies are watching DVD in the back seat. Cruise control may actually be driving the car for us and we now even have computer recognition that will warn us if someone’s in our blind spot or we’re sliding out of our lane -- even though we should have maybe noticed it ourselves.

One manufacturer even brags about a feature that will automatically parallel park the car for us! What ever happened to Joe Kool being proud of his driving skills? Now he’s more proud of his two day shadow! Do they allow that car on Driving Tests?

The more money you pay, the more technology you get. And the less your chosen ride acts like the machine it really is.

So what’s the point?

If you’re driving a machine, you recognize it. You understand that you need to rely on your skills to operate it properly. Most importantly, you realize that it has limitations – limitations you just might not want to exceed! You consciously recognize that, like any machine, it can be extremely dangerous. You know you’ve got to treat it nice.

If you drive like you’re just riding along in an automated living room, bad stuff can happen. You don’t care about driving skill any more. The puppy basically drives by itself. You never have to worry about anything, unless you exceed the limitations of all that technology. But when you do, watch out!

Perhaps, some day in the future, we truly will have cars and trucks that drive themselves.

They’re already experimenting with it. Computer recognition will do it all for us. We’ll hop in the car, set the destination and proceed with great caution, to take a nap. It could be cool. You could have an extra beer or two at the wedding because the auto driver wouldn’t be subject to DWI. The auto driver would also direct us around traffic jams and potentially smooth out traffic flow.

It would be a little sad, though, for the purists among us. We’ll probably have to go to special “You Drive It” tracks to exercise that antique notion called “driving skill.”

Until that magic time comes though, it still might still be worthwhile to consider the basics. No matter how safe and secure our particular ride might seem, it’s still a machine. Whether we drive fast or slow, we need to develop, hone, and Driverthink about, the skills required to operate it safely.

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"Say Something Or Else .com" - New Safe Driving Campaign for Younger Drivers. Complimentary post of their News Release by "Driverthink".

2009-03-05T16:45:00Z

Ad Council Launches New PSAs and Social Media Tools to Prevent Youth Reckless Driving

Campaign empowers teens to 'Say Something'

WASHINGTON, DC (February 25, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — For more than two decades, car crashes have been the number one killer of teens in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Advertising Council joined today with a coalition of state Attorneys General and consumer protection agencies to launch a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to save lives by reducing youth reckless driving.

NHTSA data shows that, on average, more than 300,000 teens are injured in car crashes each year, nearly 8,000 are involved in fatal crashes and more than 3,500 are killed. Research also shows that teen drivers are involved in more than five times as many fatal crashes as adults. Young drivers are more likely to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns and die in an SUV rollover.

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First launched in January 2007, the Youth Reckless Driving Prevention campaign targets teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 21 and encourages them to speak up when they are in the car with friends who are driving recklessly and they don't feel safe. The campaign also seeks to increase awareness about the dangers of reckless driving and educate teens on how to be safe drivers by focusing on safe speeds, avoiding distractions, wearing seat belts, and the differences associated with driving SUVs.

"This PSA campaign has a real opportunity to reach teens around the country," said Thurbert Baker, Attorney General of Georgia. "By speaking up about reckless driving, young people can save lives, both their own and those of their friends."

Research conducted by the Ad Council shows that teen drivers are more likely to listen to their friends than the adults in their lives. In a survey conducted in 2007, 8 in 10 teens said that when a friend speaks up, they will listen because they don't want to damage the friendship, be labeled a bad driver or cause harm to their friends.

Created pro bono by ad agency Y&R New York, the new television, radio, outdoor and interactive elements continue the peer-to-peer intervention strategy utilized in the first round of creative and communicate to teens "If your friend is driving recklessly, say something." The television spots feature comedians Rachel Harris, Fred Willard and Rob Riggle acting as teen passengers who humorously "speak up" to prevent a car crash.

"According to our research, since the launch of the campaign two years ago there has been a significant increase in the proportion of young adults that said they spoke up every time a friend was driving recklessly," said Peggy Conlon, President and CEO of the Ad Council. "I'm confident that this new round of PSAs, featuring comedians that appeal to our target audiences, will continue to raise awareness and inspire teens to 'speak up' when they're in a car and don't feel safe."

The PSAs direct audiences to visit www.SpeakUpOrElse.com, where they can find the motivation and tools to help them speak up. The newly redesigned site houses the PSAs and teaches teens the importance of driving safely. Additional elements to be added to the site soon include a free iPhone and iPod Touch application that turns the device into a bullhorn with flashing lights that can be used to inform a friend of his or her reckless driving. The site will also let the user send instant message videos, starring the comedians, to friends. The recipient, expecting a friend to chat, will receive a reckless driving video instead. All of these tools are designed to get the point across with humor rather than a heavy hand.

A social media program kicking off this week will help promote the campaign and website on social networking sites and blogs targeted to teens. Additionally, non-profit partners such as SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will be helping to spread the message by reaching out to its 350,000 student members.

The Ad Council is distributing the new PSAs to media outlets nationwide this week. Per the Ad Council's model, the ads will run and air in time and space donated by the media. Since its launch, the campaign has received more than $44.5 million in donated support.

The Advertising Council

The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.

State Attorneys General and Consumer Protection Agencies

The coalition of Attorneys General and consumer protection organizations is a multi-state group comprised of the Offices of the Attorney General and Consumer Protection Agencies of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Funds generated in a settlement with Ford Motor Company were earmarked for public education, with a focus on SUV safety tips through public service advertising such as that of the Youth Reckless Driving Prevention campaign.

Y&R New York

Y&RNY is the flagship agency of Y&R, one of the world's leading marketing communications companies. Founded in 1923, Y&R was the first agency to be founded by a creative, Raymond Rubicam. Today, the agency's work spans the communications spectrum, including viral, interactive and ambient marketing. Y&RNY is HQ for some of the agency's largest global clients, including Colgate-Palmolive, Xerox and Campbell's Soup Company, as well as clients such as UNCF (the United Negro College Fund), Rubbermaid, MetLife and Fisher-Price, among others.

The Stopped School Bus Conundrum

2009-03-03T22:21:00Z

What’s so difficult about stopping for a school bus? It’s stopped. Its nifty little stop sign is hung out on its side. Its red lights are flashing. We simply stop and wait for it, right? After all, it’s carrying some of the most important cargo we possess as a society and said cargo isn’t always focusing on us or the traffic. So we stop. Besides, it’s the law, right? Or is it?

Hmmm! Well maybe. Kind of depends on where it’s stopped and which state of the union we may happen to be driving in. Is it safer to stop? Or will stopping immediately disrupt traffic flow and perhaps even get us rear-ended? Quite a bit of Googling has suggested that the Stopped School Bus conundrum may be a bit more vague than it would seem at first blush.

There are really only two reasons we should stop for a school bus. The first one is obvious. We don’t want to risk injuring those little cherubs who may be running to and from it. The second? “It’s the Law” and we don’t want to risk getting a ticket and a fine.

For most of us, the first reason is the most important one. For others, it would seem that the second is reason enough. For (hopefully) a small minority of drivers, neither reason seems to matter much if at all.

In most cases, sorting out whether we should stop for this special vehicle is pretty straight forward. We’re bopping along on the same, two or four lane undivided street as is the bus. Suddenly it flashes Orange lights to warn us it is stopping, it slows, then it stops, flashing Red Lights. Whether the bus on our side of the road or on the other facing toward us, we should stop. Cool. How far away from the bus should we stop? Common sense will usually dictate but varying state laws will provide fairly stringent guidelines and state law does vary on the issue.

Okay, but what if we’re on a multiple lane, divided highway? Well here again, if the bus is in front of us on our side of the highway, we’re obligated by both law and our own sense or morality to stop for the kiddies. State law seems pretty uniform on this one.

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If the bus is on the other side of that divided highway, however – it gets more interesting. If the bus is stopped on the opposite side of a divided highway, there really isn’t much risk to its cargo if you pass it on your side, but there may be risk to you if you stop. Other drivers driving with you might not expect you to stop. You will be inhibiting traffic flow (never a good thing), and at the very least, you might be offered some unfriendly hand gestures as other drivers buzz on by you.

In the divided highway scenario, there is much debate as to whether it is safer to stop or go but your State has probably provided guidance for you – and the State’s laws do differ.

According to Wikipedia, New York State and Mississippi, definitely require a “stop and wait”, even if the bus buggy is on the other side of the divided highway. A quick peek at the New York State driver’s manual clearly confirms that you must stop. Alabama and West Virginia also require a stop, depending on the type of highway or the width of the divider.

For drivers in the rest of the states, a bus stopped on the opposite side of a divided highway does not appear to restrict you from passing it. Obviously, you should pass with caution and a quick review of your state’s actual law is most definitely in order to confirm. (Don’t rely on Driverthink or Wikipedia for strict interpretation of State driving laws!)

How far from the bus should you stop? Again, the laws seem to vary from state to state, but somewhere between 20 and 100 feet seems to be the suggested distance. Not too much of a variance there! Here again, common sense and conditions would seem to dictate.

Another stopped School Bus scenario can be more vague. The bus is at or near an intersection but it’s not on the street you’re on. It’s on the other, intersecting street, either to your left or your right. Hmmm again.

The first question at the intersection would seem to be “where is the bus”? Is it right at the intersection or further back on that intersecting road? If further back, “how far further back?”

If the bus is stopped right at the intersection, you obviously should not pass it. But what if you’re not actually passing it? Let’s say it’s on your right but you’re making a left turn. Did you actually pass it? Same question if it’s on your left and you make a right. You didn’t actually pass it did you?

It appears to be a very grey area but discretion would be the better part of valor here. Few would fault you if you waited for the bus, but you could get nailed if you made the turn. Here again, it would seem that state law and even different judges could view the matter differently. Probably better to wait the minute or two and let the little cherubs do their thing.

Lastly, the lil’ old bus is on that side road but a bit further away from the actual intersection – where you are. How far down from the intersection is it stopped? I really couldn’t find anything which would clearly define how far from the intersection the bus would have to be, before you could legally pass it, but here again, a quick review of state regs would be in order.

Common sense would appear to dictate here also. If you need a pair of binoculars to even see the bus, you’re probably good to go. The 100 foot distance might be a guideline here. I would certainly hesitate to pass the bus if it were within 100 feet. Over that range? You’re probably at the mercy of the traffic officer and the courts -- and "somebody was honking at me" won't likely get it!

As with any driving situation, Driverthink will always emphasize safety over the law. We’re not suggesting anyone intentionally break driving laws here, but if I’m on a divided highway where traffic is doing sixty plus and obviously not stopping for the bus on the other side, I’m probably not going to risk causing a multiple collision by suddenly slamming on the brakes. On the other hand, if it’s the law in my state and I can safely stop, I’m certainly going to do so -- and I'll probably put on my four way flashers as a warning.

Bottom line? It’s not about the law. It’s about common sense. I’m not going to do anything to risk the future of those little citizens on or around that school bus. I’ll even take the hit to my rear bumper if I have too.

But it is very worthwhile to review local law and develop some guidelines to lean on, when you run in to the “Stopped School Bus” conundrum. When in doubt, stop – and always let common sense prevail. The risk is just too great if you don’t!

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"Traffic Accidents” or "Preventable Occurances"

2009-02-11T12:50:00Z

I recieve many Email comments about Driverthink. Wayne Kallmyer wrote to me about the term "Traffic Accidents" . I thought his comments were very well taken -- and anything but boring! His comments are re-printed here with his permission. Thanks, Wayne! It's nice to get the thoughts of a Big Rig guy, and an obviously experienced driver!

Hello Mr. Miller,

I really enjoy having found and read from your articles. They are engagingly written and filled with information that ought to be required reading.

I am a little over 50 years old myself and began driving (in Maryland at the time) when I was 15. I had been riding dirt motorcycles for several years previous. I have since logged over half a million miles in a Big Truck. A couple hundred thousand miles or so on the backs of a large boatload of different makes and models of motorcycle and goodness knows how many miles in various four wheelers.

I've survived a few Wrecks too.

I am a graduate of a Law Enforcement Academy for the State Of Washington as well. That was some years ago.

I agree wholeheartedly with you that driverthink is a tremendously important exercise. Behind training and my own experience here's what I think of a, "good driver".

GOOD Drivers are on a racetrack somewhere. The rest of us had better be working on reinforcing our driving behavior, looking habits, following distances, situational awareness, and the rest - all the time.

A word about the term "Accident" At the Academy there was a Lecturer who made the trip from Olympia Washington and was Chief Examiner (or something like that) for the Criminal Justice Department there.

During the course of the "Accident investigation" portion of the training, I'll never forget what this gentleman said,

"I want you to remove the term 'Accident' from use in this course. There ARE no such things as 'Accidents', or perhaps that is to say so few as to have virtually NO percentage value in the examination of 'COLLISIONS'."

"There are only, Preventable Occurrences."

He went on to say, "The only example of a true accident in his living memory was of a fellow who had stopped at a red light in Seattle and had a car land on him. It killed him, but there was nothing he could have done to prevent the situation. The emergency brakes on a car on an elevated parking structure failed and the car had rolled across the garage floor through/over the low concrete wall of the structure and.... landed on the poor unfortunate in the car below".

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I usually took a tape recorder to class to make sure I missed little. The above is very nearly an exact quote.

I think one of the things that should be uppermost in a DriverThink mentality is that understanding.

I think the media should not EVER use the word, "Accident", when describing a, "Crash". Someone has virtually ALWAYS done something that they should not have been doing for the collision to have occurred. I really think that the concept, "accident" helps the gelatinizing process of brain cells that so many drivers display when behind the wheel. Your description of madness on the highways is good example.

I think there are altogether too many drivers wheeling along with a mistaken belief that if something happens, well it was JUST an accident.

Till their lives are changed by one - or ended.

Personally I try to ALWAYS practice the 2-5 second mirrors glance, dash, mirror & back scan, look as far up the highway as possible, stay 2-4 seconds from that rig in front of me and on and on.

Your idea of an Interstate license is, I think, a good idea. I also think that each person should be exposed to a simulator that is just like riding a motorcycle or driving a Big Truck. They should at least a get a basic idea of what it's like when someone's in your lane while you’re going around a corner on your motorcycle. You are riding in the right hand lane track and someone is cutting corners over the center of your lane - with a 200 foot drop just beyond the stone wall on your right.

Everyone should have the sensation of pulling off the freeway in a 78 thousand pound semi-truck when another driver cuts across 3 lanes of traffic, gets in front of you and then slams on their brakes. I won't ever forget the sound of a couple thousand pounds of flour sacks breaking free from their pallets and slamming around in the 53 foot trailer I was pulling.

We have simulators that are quite good and while they may be costly, we are already spending lots of bucks on all other sorts of other things, like miles of mashed up metal parts and twisted car & truck parts. I wonder how many lives could be saved if EVERYONE had to feel what it feels like in either of those previous (and so many more) situations.

Yes, Preventable Occurrences, each and every one. DriverThink, yes a very important daily exercise.

I have not read all your articles yet but I will over time so I know I'm preaching to the choir here. Thanks again and I hope you receive this and that I've not been boring.

Offered and written by Wayne Kallmyer. Re-printed with permission by Driverthink. Thanks again, Wayne.

Safe Driving with the GPS

2009-02-03T18:56:00Z

There are lots of technology innovations finding their way into our boogie buggies. Some are real distractions and others can really aid in safe driving. GPS can be one of the former, but it can definitely help us be safer. We just need to Driverthink about it.

For those of us who’ve been hiding under a rock for the last decade or so (perhaps for very good reasons), a really simplistic description and history of GPS and its use, may be in order.

The Global Positioning System, was developed originally by Department of Defense for military use. It uses signals from satellites to triangulate the position of the receiver, the GPS unit. In May of 2000, Selective Availability (an intentional distortion of accuracy for other than military use) was turned off. Suddenly, extreme GPS accuracy became available for civilian use. The era of GPS began.

Today, GPS can not only pinpoint your exact location, but it can also pinpoint where you’re going and tell you exactly how to get there. It does this by superimposing your position on a neat little map screen and by giving you audible instructions.

So how can this technology make us safer and how can it perhaps, get us into trouble as we pedal off to wherever?

The first obvious advantage of GPS is that you’ll never really be lost. You may not know where you are or how to get where you’re going – but your GPS will. Getting lost is one of the biggest driving frustrations we face. It is most definitely distracting, and distraction is unsafe.

Trying to read maps while juggling the steering wheel with your knees, will become a thing of the past. You can concentrate on driving safely while the GPS concentrates on the navigating.

Drivers who often have to go to strange addresses will appreciate how the GPS can take you directly to the specific address in question. A map might tell you where the street is, but the GPS will save you from driving up and down said endless street, trying to sort out where the actual address is. GPS will not only show you where the street is, but where on the street you need to be – and how best to get there.

On the highway, your little GPS friend will tell you exactly how far it is to the exit you want to take. This will give you ample time to position yourself in the exit lane. You won’t have to dive across three lanes of heavy traffic in a last minute, panic effort to avoid missing it. You also won’t need to poke along in that slow exit lane forever, because you’re not real sure where the exit is and you don’t want to miss it.

Road closures will no longer strike fear into your heart. If you’re forced off of a known highway, GPS will guide you on, through those strange and unfamiliar streets, day or night!

Don’t buy a GPS that doesn’t recalculate your route. If you do miss a turn, intentionally or otherwise, your GPS should be able to recalculate a new route automatically. Most units today have this feature.

So far, so good. What are the downsides?

It’s easy to become obsessed with your little buddy. It’s really hard to watch for road hazards if your eyes are constantly fixated on that little screen. You’ve still kinda’ gotta’ watch where you’re going! Not good to try programming your route while you’re driving either.

When using the GPS you will usually find yourself in one of three situations.

First, you know exactly where you’re going and how to get there. You’re really only using the GPS as a backup. GPS quite often, won’t choose the same route you’re used to. If you know your chosen route and your little buddy suddenly directs you off into the unknown, don’t succumb unless you’re feeling exceedingly adventurous! You can always keep going your way, and let the GPS recalculate.

You may know pretty much how to get where you want to go, but aren’t quite sure of the exact final location address. Here again, I will take my own route as far as I feel comfortable, then I’ll let the GPS guide me to the final exact destination.

I usually turn off the audible directions when I know where I’m going and then switch on “voice” as I get into unknown territory. Audible voice directions help keep eyes on the road.

Finally, you haven’t got a clue how to get where you’re going! Every road you’re going to be on, is unknown and new to you. You’re now at the mercy of your GPS. Settle in and enjoy the drive, knowing that your trusty little navigator will eventually get you exactly where you want to be.

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News Release from Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau

2009-01-29T20:34:00Z

TRIB Emailed me this release. It is reprinted with their permission. It may seem basic -- but it's critical stuff!TRIB
TIRE RETREAD & REPAIR INFORMATION BUREAU
900 WELDON GROVE
PACIFIC GROVE, CA 93950 USA
831-372-1917 • FAX 831-372-9210
TOLL FREE FROM ANYWHERE IN NORTH AMERICA 888-473-8732
EMAIL: info@retread.org

NEWS RELEASE ABOUT TIRES

For Immediate Release
PACIFIC GROVE, CA, January 2009
Contact: Harvey Brodsky, (831) 372-1917

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO RUIN A TIRE? Part two

In our first Best Way To Ruin a Tire article we discussed improper tire repairs. Today let’s discuss improper tire inflation.

Tires that are improperly inflated WILL fail, given enough time. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when.”

Tires are simply vessels to hold air, even though they are also incredibly engineered and complicated units with many components. Nevertheless, the best made tire can be ruined in a matter of days – sometimes even hours – if they don’t carry the proper amount of air for the load they are designed to hold.

Truckers and other motorists MUST check the air pressure in their tires on a regular basis and they should use a calibrated gauge to do this.

Tires are masochists and will allow you to severely punish them by driving with the wrong amount of air, but eventually they tire (no pun intended) of being abused and they will show you who’s the boss by failing – most often in the middle of nowhere on a cold, rainy night at 3 AM. When they do, you will wonder why you didn’t take better care of them when you had the chance.

Don’t let this happen to you.

Get in the habit of checking your tires on a regular basis. If you are a trucker this should be at least once weekly, and more often if you can. If you drive a four-wheeler you should check your tires at least once monthly.

Here is an important fact: DON’T EVER THINK YOU CAN TELL HOW MUCH AIR IS IN YOUR TIRES BY THUMPING THEM. If you think you can tell by thumping a tire, you might as well thump the hood of your vehicle to determine if the engine needs oil.

Properly inflated tires also will help you to reduce the amount of fuel needed to move your vehicle. Underinflated tires increase the drag on your vehicle, making your engine work harder, which requires more fuel. Your tires will also be more retreadable if they are maintained with proper air pressure during their first life. This can add dollars to your bottom line.

Let’s summarize. The three most important words to remember when it comes to properly caring for your tires are inflation, inflation and inflation.

Rather than go on forever with this news release we want to make you an offer we hope you won’t refuse. Call us toll free at 888-473-8732 from anywhere in North America or send us an email to info@retread.org, and we will send you a CD containing a PDF of a great booklet titled The Importance of Proper Tire Inflation. The CD also contains a huge amount of additional good information about retreading, new tires and tire maintenance for all tires.

-end-

Two Little “Left Turn” Gotcha’s

2009-01-18T18:52:00Z

When we think of how we can get annihilated in a left turn, we usually think about getting T-Boned while executing the turn, by an oncoming vehicle in the opposing lane, that we didn’t quite notice. Perhaps we’re also aware we could get rear-ended while waiting for our turn, an event that could promptly launch us into same, said oncoming traffic. But there are a couple of slightly more subtle left turn scenarios that can create equally devastating results while deploying more than just a few air bags.

Before we get to these little “gotcha’s,” let’s take a quick peek at the second scenario mentioned above. When waiting to make a left turn, we always want to keep our front wheels aimed straight. If we do get smacked from behind, at least we’ll end up being pushed straight forward. If our wheels are turned left, ready to make the turn, a pounding from behind will almost guarantee that we get shoved right into that oncoming traffic. Not good – especially for anyone who may be residing in the right side seats of our little buggies.

Anyway, let’s get back to the little “gotcha’s” we want to talk about. The first one takes place when we’re waiting to make the left, and the second unfolds when we’re coming up on someone else waiting to make said left. In both cases, judicious use of the side rear view mirrors by the subject perpetrating the left turn can help prevent crumpled metal. In the second case, recognizing the hazard can help avoid the same results.

So we’re sitting at the intersection, waiting for oncoming traffic to pass so we can execute our little old left hand turn. Perhaps we’re being a little cautious or perhaps not, but in any event, we’re being way too cautious and we’re waiting just far too long for the anxious little wag-tail behind us. Finally, he decides to yield to his impulsive (perhaps suicidal) nature. He powers by us on our left and surges on into the shrinking gap in the oncoming traffic.

It stands to reason that this guy will attempt this life threatening maneuver at just the moment we have decided to go for it. We go, he goes, and pow! He ends up with his bumper in our door, most likely as we’re both well into the opposing lane and countless vehicles are bearing down on us with wheels locked in panic and looks of impending doom on their faces – faces we can suddenly see very clearly and that will probably remain in memory for the rest of our lives.

But it doesn’t have to happen that way. Fortunately, we’ve been keeping an eye on this anxious little puppy in our rear view mirror. We’re instantly ready to stop and let him go when he zips around us in his quest to become yet another news statistic. If he makes it through the gap, great! He’ll live to die another day. If he doesn’t make it, at least he didn’t hit us, and we’re in a really good position to dial 911 and advise them of the carnage.

In the second scenario, we’re still ready to make the left but suddenly we realize it’s not quite the street we wanted to turn into. We decide to cancel our turn and zing back into the traffic. The poor gal buzzing by us didn’t exactly expect us to do that silly thing, just as she was passing us on our right. She quickly introduces her front left bumper to the right side of our little buggy, somewhere within the vicinity of our front and rear quarter panels.

Depending on how hard she whacks us, we might get spun around just a little bit. She too, could end up navigating cute little 180 to 360 plus spins, either into, or hopefully out of the way of other traffic.

Anytime we decide to cancel a left turn and move back into the lane of traffic from whence we came, a quick glance in our right side rear view mirror would seem most prudent.

If we happen to be piloting the vehicle passing someone making a left turn, we must always consider that they just might change their mind and swing right back out in front of us. We at least, want to be watching those front wheel tires. If they suddenly change direction, it’s a really huge warning sign that this buggy might be ready to really ruin our day.

Recognize the hazard, slow down if necessary and always make sure you have escape room on your right side to avoid the otherwise inevitable impact.

“Two little Left Turn Gotcha’s.” Avoiding them is all about using those rear view mirrors – and recognizing the hazard before it becomes an emergency.

>
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Are your Floor Pedals Free to Pedal?

2008-12-27T20:52:00Z

In almost all of the motor vehicles designed since, lets just say the early 1900’s, there are neat little pedals on the floor of the drivers compartment that are designed to perform various stop and go functions. It stands to reason that these classy little devices are only able to perform their prescribed functions if they are, well – able to function.

The most common configuration in today’s, yesterday’s, and even most pre-historic motor cars will find two or three pedals on the floor, specifically designed to be pressed or un-pressed by the educated feet of the vehicle operator.

On the very right, is what is commonly referred to as the “accelerator” or “gas-pedal”. It gets these names because, by pressing it, it will feed more gas into the engine, thereby increasing the engine speed and making the car accelerate. In other words, it makes the buggy go. Pressing it further, makes the buggy go faster. It’s a really swell little pedal and it’s pretty basic to driving a motor vehicle.

Just to the left of the accelerator, we will most often find a second pedal called the “brake pedal”. Pressing this puppy will (depending of the design of the braking system) usually push hydraulic fluid through neat little tubes which will in turn, push brake pads up against the wheel’s moving parts, making the car slow down or stop. Also a very useful pedal when operating said vehicle. Kinda’ worth knowing about.

If you happen to be driving a “not-automatic” type transmission, you will most likely find yet a third pedal to the left of the brake pedal, called a “clutch pedal”. This will disengage the transmission allowing you to shift gears without grinding them into molten metal and embarrassing yourself in the process – but this isn’t a review about shifting and if you have an automatic transmission you won’t find this pedal. The transmission shifts gears automatically. Just don’t need the little ole’ clutch pedal.

It goes without saying that these pedal things are pretty critical to the driving experience. Most any educated driver’s footsies know this, and with anything more than a day out of driving school, they learn to master operation of the pedals without much further issue – but what if the pedals suddenly don’t do what they’re supposed to? Uh Oh. Big problems.

If you push the brake pedal and it doesn’t move, if you push the gas and it’s stuck, or worse, if you push the brake and the gas pedal responds instead – you’re likely to end up somewhere in the newspapers. Not Good.

Okay, we’ve kind of been making light of this issue, but it is serious. Things can get in the way of the pedals and if said things keep said pedals from doing what they’re supposed to do, you’re going to have a very “out of control” vehicle. Out of control vehicles can get people killed or at best, very seriously injured.

It just happened last week on Long Island when a driver apparently pushed the brake pedal and instead, the gas pedal got “floored”. Why? Apparently a floor mat was bunched up under the brake pedal and when the stop button was pushed, the go button went to the floor. The result? A very respected individual crashed his vehicle into a building causing serious injury to multiple occupants who were enjoying a holiday party. Many of the victims were children.

Gotta keep those pedals free of obstacles so they do what they’re intended to do. Sounds simple but stuff happens. Floor mats get bunched up. Soda bottles pop out of the cup holders and wind up under the brake pedal. Stuff on a cluttered floor can roll under those critical little pedals with absolutely devastating results.

If you should push a pedal and it doesn’t respond, immediately realize that there may be something restricting its operation. If it’s the brake pedal, push harder. That plastic water bottle will probably collapse and allow the stop. If the gas pedal doesn’t operate, get off of it, hit the four-ways, and look to see what the problem is. In either case, you may have to quickly reach down to clear the obstacle.

If you push the brake and the car goes faster? Either you’re on the wrong pedal (it happens) or there’s an obstacle. Let up, perhaps downshift, and reach to clear the problem.

Bottom line? Better to keep those pedals clear of anything that will inhibit their function. Floor mats must be smooth and firmly in place. No junk on the driver’s floor please. If you notice something falling on that floor, always assume it will end up in the worst place at the worst possible time. Remove it as soon as safely possible.

Gotta’ keep those floor pedals clear to pedal.

>
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Driverthink. A note from the author.

2008-09-28T16:56:00Z

With the completion of 58 articles and the "Glossary of Driverthink Driving Terms", Driverthink will now be discontinuing the posting of future articles on a weekly basis.

Time constraints together with the fact that I believe Driverthink has covered so many of the "Basics and Beyond" of Reality Based Driverthink driving, both require and allow me to make this adjustment in the frequency of posts.

The Driverthink site will remain active indefinitely.

Each day, many new readers continue to visit the site and hopefully take something from it that they can use in their daily driving experience. Your comments continue to be very much appreciated.

If the suggestions or tips in Driverthink have saved even one life -- or kept even one person out of an accident, I will consider the site to have been successful.

Let me hear from you! Email me if you have had an experience where Driverthink ideas may have helped keep you safer on the road. Perhaps we can even post the experience for others to read and learn from.

As time permits and as additional topics present themselves, I will continue to publish future articles on a periodic basis.

Thank you all for your visits, your comments, and your continued support of Driverthink!

Together, we can Save Lives!

Frank Miller