Ten Point commentary

Question 1

One. When stopped in traffic.

Answer 1

When stopped in traffic, I leave enough space between the front bumper of my vehicle and the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of me if that vehicle stalls or becomes disabled I can maneuver around that vehicle without having to back up in traffic. The space I leave in front of my vehicle is proportionate to the size of my vehicle.

Why! Have an escape route

Question 2

Two

Answer 2

Clearing Intersections (LRL)

Question 3

2. Clearing Intersections

Answer 3

As I am approaching, going through, or starting up at intersections - scan ahead and look left, right, then back to left. Scan your driving scene getting the big picture and looking for any pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and vehicles to ensure they are obeying traffic signs or signals. Look for any obstructions that may block your visibility. Prior to entering the intersection I check my traffic side mirror for traffic that may turn in front of me. I check my opposite traffic side mirror to ensure I cleared the intersection of hazards.

Question 4

2. WHY

Answer 4

Keeps you alive at intersections

Question 5

Three

Answer 5

Count 1 2 3 after vehicle ahead has started to move

Question 6

3. Count 1, 2, 3

Answer 6

Count 1, 2, 3 after the vehicle ahead has started to move before placing my vehicle in motion. This will establish a space cushion and allow me to bring my eyes up to the driving scene ahead.

Question 7

3. WHY

Answer 7

Keeps you away from billboards

Question 8

Four

Answer 8

Four to six second following time for speeds up to 30mph, 6-8 seconds for speeds over 30mph

Question 9

4. Four to six, six to eight

Answer 9

When the vehicle ahead passes a stationary item, start counting 1001, 1002, 1003 until the front bumper of my vehicle reaches that item. This is my following distance in seconds and gives me time to act to any changes in the traffic scene ahead.

Question 10

4. WHY

Answer 10

Buys time

Question 11

Five

Answer 11

Use of Mirrors and Gauges

Question 12

5. Check mirrors every 5-8 seconds

Answer 12

I check a mirror every 5 to 8 seconds looking for lane position, traffic conditions and mechanical problems. I substitute a mirror check, when traffic allows, with one of my primary gauges, oil or water looking for normal readings. My next eye movement is back to the front. Never go mirror to mirror, gauge to gauge, mirror to gauge, gauge to mirror.

Question 13

5. WHY

Answer 13

Keeps eyes ahead of car

Question 14

Six

Answer 14

Scan steering wheels

Question 15

6. Scan

Answer 15

Scan steering wheels of parked cars to see if the vehicle is occupied. An occupied vehicle presents two hazards, the person may either exit the vehicle or pull away from the curb.

Also look for signs of life with wheels turned out, tail or brake lights on, and exhaust. If you can’t determine if the vehicle is occupied, treat it as an occupied vehicle

Question 16

6. WHY

Answer 16

Take the path of least resistance

Question 17

Seven

Answer 17

Stale green lights

Question 18

7. Stale green lights.

Answer 18

A stale green light that I did not see change and I’m not sure when it may turn. A point of decision decision must be established between the front bumper of my vehicle and the stop line.

If the light would change before reaching my decision point I can bring the vehicle to a safe stop behind the stop line.

If I reach my decision point and the light would change I will continue through the intersection without hesitation or acceleration.

Road load weather and speed may affect my decision point.

Question 19

7. WHY

Answer 19

Smooth stops and turns

Question 20

Eight

Answer 20

8 to 12 seconds eye lead time 

Question 21

8. 8-12 seconds

Answer 21

8 to 12 seconds of eye lead time is the depth of which my eyes should be most of the time while driving.To establish, I pick a stationary item in front of my vehicle and start counting 1001 1002 1003** until the front of my vehicle reaches that item.

That is my lead time in seconds. Remember that it it is a maintained depth of vision.

Question 22

8. WHY

Answer 22

Centers car in traffic lane

Question 23

Nine

Answer 23

Pulling from curb

Question 24

9. Pulling from curb.

Answer 24

When pulling from a curb, I indicate my intentions by turning on my traffic side turn signal. I check traffic by looking at my traffic side flat and convex mirrors. I look over my traffic side shoulder to check my blind spot in the lane I’m about to occupy. When the lane is clear I can pull away from the curb. I do not deactivate my turn signal until all of my equipment is completely in the lane I am occupying.

Question 25

9. WHY

Answer 25

Communicate in traffic horn lights signals 

Question 26

Ten

Answer 26

10. Eye contact

Question 27

10. Eye Contact

Answer 27

Always establish eye to eye contact with pedestrians bicycles, motorcycles, and vehicles to eliminate uncertainty. There are three tools to establish eye to eye contact: our horn lights and signals.

The horn is the primary tool usually a tap of the horn sometimes allowed blast is necessary.

Once I establish I contact, I can expect the other person to act in a reasonable and predictable manner. 

Question 28

10. WHY

Answer 28

Establishes eye to eye contact