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Avoiding Accidents
To finish first, you must first finish." This racer's maxim is
somewhere in the mind of every race car driver throughout every race. Some
variation of it should be in yours whenever you're driving a motor vehicle.
Whenever a racer is driving wheel-to-wheel or nose-to-tail with another
car, whenever he is about to pass another car or be passed, some portion of
the driver's mind is considering accident avoidance: "Where will I go
if.....?"; "What will I do if....?"
Accidents are av 18418u2020s oided in the driver's head, not in his driving skills
and techniques, for all that our previous articles
have emphasized the safety aspects of driving technique. In past columns
we've discussed looking well ahead of one's car and being aware of one's
surroundings at all time. We've talked about the importance of and
techniques for keeping braking and steering as separate as possible. We've
discussed mirror adjustment and its importance in assuring visibility of
all parts of the road. All of these elements increase the driver's ability
to anticipate dangerous situations and to respond to them appropriately.
Probably the single most important element of accident avoidance is
space. More highway accidents are caused by following too closely than by
any other factor. The 2-second rule -- leave 2 seconds of space between
your car and the one in front of you -- should be followed rigorously.
Allowing yourself the space to deal with another driver's actions should be
combined with your awareness of traffic well ahead, beside and behind you
in always having an escape route available. Think consciously about where
you can go if another driver suddenly puts himself in harm's way, and
reassess your options continuously.
Any time you're not doing this, because you're talking on the cellular
phone, because you're adjusting the radio, because you're sightseeing,
because you're dealing with the drink that your child just dropped on the
upholstery, you are dramatically increasing your chances of being in an
accident.
Another significant contributor to street and highway accidents is speed differential. For the racer it comes into play
when several classes of cars are racing at the same time or when cars of
the same class are racing at markedly different speeds
For the highway driver it's a much more common experience. One of the most
dangerous places on the highway to drive is in the fast-moving commuter
lane when single-occupant traffic is stopped or significantly slowed. Never
assume that the cars next to you in that situation are going to stay out of
your way. Always know what you will do if a slow car suddenly moves into
your path. Depending on the surrounding circumstances, a speed differential
of as little as ten miles per hour between your car and a nearby car can
decrease your safety margins.
Accidents occur, on and off the race track, when someone exceeds the
limits. Know the limits of your car. Know your own limits. Driving with
impaired vision or impaired visibility; driving while drowsy; driving after
consuming any quantity of alcohol, drug or medication; all increase your
chances of being in or causing an accident.
"Avoiding accidents is no accident" is more than a safety
slogan. It's the essence of safe driving on and off the track.
Copyright © 1998 by Tim Moser of Silhouette Racing. All rights reserved.
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