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

In$pired

As the steam from Avid Andy's coffee fogged his glasses on this crisp January morning, he reflected on last year and thought enthusiastically about the year ahead.   Sometimes the noise of business is deafening, we rarely take the time to contemplate our moves, instead are often thrown one direction or another.   Hey, face it, if you are reading posts to gain perspective you fall in the group of folks who pride themselves as obsequious hoop-jumpers.   We live to help others and expect that all of those around us feel the same way.   I just love Influential Irene.   Okay, it is out in the open, she is an inspiration for me and so many others.   Irene reminds folks every year, without fail, these three statements which she fondly refers to as "the punchline" (although this is no joke).   Businesses, of any size, will be successful if they remember that it is people that make a company.   Put this advice into practice, today: Sincerity |...
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

Who owns the data?

Finally the capital budget allows you to replace some very old equipment.    You can't open a trade magazine without seeing the latest news regarding the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).   Lucky for you the equipment manufacturers are offering an IIoT ready solution packaged with your equipment.   Suddenly your enthusiasm turns to confusion as you review the details of the quote.   What the hell is that subscription fee?   Isn't this equipment mine; lock, stock and barrel?   You mean to tell me that I need to pay the manufacturer, every month,   to give me the luxury of accessing data produced by the equipment I just purchased?   The only explanation has to be new math, at least as a child this is what my parents told me when I asked hard to answer questions. It's amazing how history repeats itself, we are starting to see manufacturer specific data languages appearing in their "smart" equipment.   Didn't we learn our lesson ...
Post a Comment
Read more