Distracted driving, the end of the line

If I see stopped traffic, I automatically take my foot off the gas and start downshifting never coming to a complete stop(unless absolutely necessary,than I keep one eye on the rearview and one on the road). I do the same at red lights and most times find myself ahead of the morons that race from light to light, having to start from a complete stop. I hate using the clutch, it's not that I'm lazy, it's just painful at this stage of the game. I never, ever sit at a light with the clutch disengaged.If I'm driving an automatic(the Allison type, I've never driven the other type), I'll take it out of gear. My ultimate goal is to keep moving, no matter how slow and always leave as much space as possible between me and the person in front.A good rule of thumb is always keep a good eye on the driver behind the driver in front of you.

 

I got news for ya', in light of recent events, if I'm the last one, or even a few rows in, I always keep my eye in the mirror and room to hit the shoulder, just in case, you know.

 

Not just due to recent events, but the way I have always done it; slight modifications depending on what I'm driving. I try not to stop if I don't have to, but there's a point where crawling becomes a liability rather than an asset.

In a truck I slow down early, turn on flashers, watch the mirrors and leave a sufficient gap that I can drive around. I watch the mirrors until traffic behind me is stopped. If it's a truck, I'll turn off the flashers and relax. If it's cars I won't do that until usually 3-4 have stopped.

In a passenger vehicle I'll follow much the same but leave a bigger gap and watch the mirrors like a hawk until there's enough traffic behind me.

On a motorcycle I typically leave a bigger gap and I offset enough to quickly drive around traffic, whether between or up the shoulder. Or, if it looks like it is a longer delay, I get off the bike and go stand on the shoulder or elsewhere out of the way (sometimes a couple of vehicles ahead). Also, a lot of times a motorcycle can filter to the front without issue... I'm gonna pass you anyways.

 

I hit the shoulder twice and it's not from distracting. There was nothing in those days (No internet, no computer anything, no smart or cell phones... we did have what they called radio telephone, but those are seriously expensive)

The last time I used the shoulder to stop it took me about 24 cars.

 

hospitals are big business, they prefer drivers not be educated, otherwise they have fewer customers.

 

I do the same... slow roll, flashers on, with a 1/4 mile of space in front of me until there's enough slow traffic built up behind me. Then two truck lengths of space while we crawl through the mess.

 

I try to do the same on my motorcycle too! Always try to filter several cars ahead rather than be in the back. Keep an escape to shoulder open. Keep one eye on the rearview without comprising attention to what's happening in front.

 

For some reason, one of the more challenging elements of the Smith's System for me has been the skill of scanning far out in front of me. Assuming I've got that down, I let my foot off the throttle and watch my 6 like nobodies business, flashers on. I'm not comfortable and don't turn off my flashers until a few cars and trucks have slowed behind me.

 

dont get distracted while driving by reading billboards that say dont get distracted while driving