Skip to main content

driving safety


I've been involved in amateur racing for many years now, other than draining my pockets of cash spent on tires and track fees, many disciplines we learn on the track can be easily carried over into safe driving habits.



Relax

It's funny because when you're in a hurry you often feel compelled to go as fast as possible, weaving through traffic, running close to the person in front of you, driving erratically. Did you know that data shows that driving just a few miles over the speed limit in traffic does not normally gain you any time; however, does disproportionally wear your brakes, tires, and erodes your fuel economy.  So what's the big deal? Test this theory sometime when you're in moderate traffic, I bet you will be sitting right next to if not ahead of that vehicle.



Look ahead

In racing we always concentrate on looking as far ahead as possible. The brain has already processed information which is close to you; what you need to focus on is what's far away from you so you can respond faster and more deliberately. If you see brake lights being applied six cars up you know that it is time to take your foot off the accelerator. This function of looking ahead is one of the most straightforward practices you can work into your daily driving habits that will prevent many driving related issues.



Pull through

Track cars, helmets, Hans devices, and even Halo based racing seats, can limit your vision to a very narrow view.  We are always paying attention to our time in the pits by attempting to pull through parking spots. If you are fortunate enough at a race to get a garage, then we are concentrating on backing up into the garage. Of course, whenever a car comes off the track somebody is there helping you back into that parking garage. Certainly when driving a service vehicle you don't have a spotter; however, if you can't pull through then back it in. Many accidents occur below 5 mph in parking lots.



Hopefully these reminders / tips can help you stay safe on the road and get home to your families and loved ones.  Happy Thanksgiving!



-----

Next post:  what is pull through and how is it optimized?

-----
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

why transform?

Why do I want to change, who said anything was wrong with my stack of papers and sea of Excel files?   We solve problems, that is a key characteristic of any successful service organization, if it isn't broke why fix it?   Often, when discussing a transformation from paper or cobbled together systems to a cohesive digital approach, folks struggle with the gap between what they currently do and how digital tools can help.   You really need to look at where the pain points are in your organization and how these compare to your business objectives.   Consider writing down these points on the whiteboard in no particular order, spend a few days shuffling and consolidating into a prioritized list.   Once you have the "why" and the "what" identified, the old remaining step is "how".   Some of the most popular observations over the years have been; Slipping through the cracks :   you know, not the major muscle movements, instead those little i...
Post a Comment
Read more

expert at everything...not a problem

Well... I would say sometimes there certainly is a perceived notion that one person is an expert at everything. For the worker "everything" may be defined as the specific area in which you were hired or are constantly scheduled. Our opinions are frequently influenced off of past experience, or information we've received from their coworkers. Unfortunately this only gives us partial insight to that workers expertise and often is limited to their most recent history. Narrowly focused accounting is made of the skills that this individual possess. Come on, can't we figure out a way to leverage all of the skills of a particular worker? One of the challenges has always been that relationship between the activities which need to be accomplished and the myriad skills of individuals within your workforce. In addition, even if you could inventory and get a pretty good handle on the skill sets, they are constantly changing (with any luck) and thus the ineffective process of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Digital distance

As influential Irene entered the dispatch department this hot July afternoon all that she heard was the tapping of keyboards.   The energy felt like a controlled, almost clinical environment.   It wasn't that many years ago when the sense of chaos, wrapped in genuine human concern for our clients, filled the room with a much different feeling.   Could it be that our ambitions to become more efficient, by leveraging technology has simply created a reason for us not to communicate verbally with one another?    Hasn't the idea all along been centered around our ability to spend more time with our customers? Making each and every one of them feel as if they are our most important client?   Certainly I'm not suggesting we go back to big chief tablets and number two pencils.   Yet, we need to reflect and strike a balance between digitization and delivery. By pure coincidence, avid Andy was composing a memo attempting to give his opinion, without tr...
Post a Comment
Read more