1. Smith System Driver Improvement Institute Incorporated
Arlington, Texas, 76006-7441 USA
800.777.7648 • www.drivedifferent.com
REV 05.2013SSS-933 CIP T
Permission for use of Smith System Materials
© 2013 by Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc., Arlington, TX 76006-7441 USA All Rights
Reserved
No part of these course materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means.
Smith System® and each of The Smith 5 Keys®;
Key 1. Aim High In Steering®
Key 2. Get The Big Picture®
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving®
Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out®
Key 5. Make Sure They See You®
And all knowledge derived from “The Smith System”, (Space-Visibility-Time) “Space Cushion Driving”,
(G.O.A.L.), are registered, copyrighted and trademarked by Smith System for the use of Smith System
Driver Safety Training.

2. “Changing Driving Habits Since 1952”
SmithSystemDriverImprovementInstitute,Inc.Arlington,Texas76006USA
Truck and Large Vehicle Presentation

3. Smith System History:
Developed by
Harold Smith in 1948
Established as a
company in 1952
First training method
dedicated to educating
experienced drivers in
collision avoidance
3

4. 4
We Have Worked With:
44
Utilities
Trucking
Petro-Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
Package Delivery
Government Entities
Telecommunications
Over Half of the Fortune 500 Companies

5. Traffic Collision Triangle:
Dollars Spent $299.5 Billion
Vehicles Involved 9,411,520
Total Collisions 5,338,000
Unsafe Acts ? ? ?
Deaths 32,367
Injuries 2,220,000
Citations Issued 59,828,000
Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2011
For each death
there are:
$9,253,252
1,848
291
165
69
1
5

6. 6

7. Use Of The Smith 5 Keys® Provides:
SPACE
for the vehicle
VISIBILITY
for the driver
TIME
to make decisions
7

8. The Benefits:
 Reduced collision potential
 Reduced fuel usage
 Reduced maintenance
 Lower insurance expense
 Reduced anxiety and stress
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9. Key 1. Aim High In Steering®
Key 2. Get The Big Picture®
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving®
Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out®
Key 5. Make Sure They See You®
9

10. Key 1. Aim High In Steering®
• An animal's eyesight is suited to its needs
• Average drivers use 3 to 6 seconds of eye lead time
• Expand your eye lead to a minimum of 15 seconds
15 seconds
6 seconds
10

11. Key 2. Get The Big Picture®
• Look 15 seconds ahead
• Scan at least one of your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds
• Achieve a circle of awareness 
11

12. Key 2. Get The Big Picture®
• Relevant and non-relevant objects
• Position your vehicle so you can see
• Maintain the proper following distance at all times
12

13. Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving®
• Central vision is approximately 3° of clear visibility
• Peripheral vision is approximately 180° of visibility 
13

14. Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving®
• Avoid blank and fixed stares
• Avoid focusing on any object for more than 2 seconds
14

15. Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out®
• Avoid traveling in traffic clusters
• Surround yourself with space
• Anticipate the actions of others
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16. Creating Space on the Roadway
• When stopped, the cushion of space surrounding your
vehicle is diminished
• Although your vehicle is not moving, your eyes
should remain active 16

17. When Stopped at a Light…
• Look at least 15 seconds ahead for potential problems
• Turning vehicles, cross traffic, pedestrians/bicyclists
• Drivers to the sides and rear who may be distracted
17

18. Front Position
• How can your space be regained?
• Check Left-Right-Left before you move out
• Why do you check left first?
18

19. Front Position
• After scanning the intersection, proceed with caution
• By holding your acceleration, you create space
around the vehicle
19

20. Front Position – Aggressive Drivers
• Should the drivers on the sides remain next to your
vehicle, you have space ahead and behind but not to
the sides
20

21. Front Position – Aggressive Drivers
• Ease off the accelerator and allow the vehicles on your
sides to overtake
• Now you have space to maneuver
21

22. Front Position – Slow Drivers
• Check Left-Right-Left before you move out
• Proceed when safe to do so
22

23. Front Position – Slow Drivers
• Accelerate at your normal pace
• Now you have space to maneuver
23

24. Tailgaters
• When space is available, oftentimes faster moving
vehicles will overtake you
• If they remain, encourage them to overtake by
gradually reducing your speed 24

25. Tailgaters
• Change lanes to the right and allow them to overtake
25

26. Center Position
• As the vehicle ahead starts to move, take your foot off
the brake and hesitate to allow the leading vehicle to
move forward
26

27. Center Position
• Taking your foot off the brake pedal will prevent the
driver in the rear from becoming irritated
• As your space cushion begins to build in front, scan
the intersection and proceed with caution 27

28. Rear Position
• Hesitate to allow the vehicles ahead to begin moving
• As space begins to form, scan the intersection before
entering and proceed with caution
28

29. Following Distance
• Verify your following distance by using a line on the
opposite side of the intersection
• Start counting when the back bumper of the vehicle
ahead crosses the line 29

30. Following Distance
• Stop counting when the front of your vehicle reaches
the line
• Adjust your following distance as necessary
30

31. Key 5. Make Sure They See You®
• Seek eye contact
• Use your warning devices
• Proper timing is essential
31

32. Key 1. Aim High In Steering®
Key 2. Get The Big Picture®
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving®
Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out®
Key 5. Make Sure They See You®
Remember
Look ahead a minimum of 15 seconds
4 second minimum following distance
Scan at least one of your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds
Avoid focusing on any object for more than 2 seconds
Surround yourself with space
Seek eye contact
32

33. “Changing Driving Habits Since 1952”
SmithSystemDriverImprovementInstitute,Inc.Arlington,Texas76006USA
Truck and Large Vehicle Presentation
33

34. Many fleets report that more than 30% of their
incidents happen while backing
Can We
Remove
Reverse?
to Safe Backing
34

35. Backing unnecessarily
Blind areas
Vehicle design
Infrequent practice
Limited mental preparation for backing
Inadequate information during backing
Why Do Backing Collisions Happen?
35

36. Key 1. Aim High In Steering®
• When possible avoid backing
• Think about your departure upon your arrival
• Select the safest parking location and backing path
36

37. Key 2. Get The Big Picture®
• Look for all hazards and consider backing upon arrival
• Use a guide when available
• When in doubt Get Out And Look – G.O.A.L.
37

38. Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving®
• Avoid staring at one object; scan the entire area
• Do not forget the front and the sides
• Back slowly
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39. Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out®
• Choose the site with the fewest hazards
• Cut no closer to other objects than necessary
• Back only as far as you must
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40. Key 5. Make Sure They See You®
• Seek eye contact
• Use warning devices
• If you don’t know, DON’T GO!
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41. Key 1. Aim High In Steering®
Key 2. Get The Big Picture®
Key 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving®
Key 4. Leave Yourself An Out®
Key 5. Make Sure They See You®
Choose the safest location possible
Search for all potential hazards
Scan, do not fixate
Surround yourself with space
Use warning devices - Seek eye contact
If you must back...
When possible, avoid backing!
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