At TxDOT, we train under the Smith System of driving
Basically, it's Defensive driving on steroids:
-I keep a 4 second cushion as best as I can with the car in front of me (hard to do with the crazy texans driving on I-35 every day).
-Stay in the right lane as often as possible, and stay at least 1 mph under the speed limit.
- If I come up on an 18-wheeler, I either pass him very quickly or let him get way ahead of me. those are 40 ton missiles that can kill you if you're careless around them, and the wind shear the cause can blow you off the road.
- If someone cuts me off, I don't get pissed. You have to assume that everybody is an idiot on the highway, and expect them to do stupid things....and hope YOU don't do stupid things. Remember, you're driving something that weighs 1-5 tons, and losing your cool by getting mad at someone because you don't like the way they're driving can lead to fatal accidents....plus here in Texas, you never know who's packing.
- When you come to an intersection, stop at least one car length behind the bold stop line. You never know how some car or truck will cut their left turn. Also, if you get hit from behind, you won't be pushed into the intersection where you can get hit again.
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