Precision driving: Maintain driving IQ, steady speed

Precision driving requires thought. A driver must think while driving, drawing from one’s knowledge and experience. If either knowledge or experience is missing from your repertoire, it may be time to brush up.

Reader J.M. sent me this link: www.gmacinsurance.com/SafeDriving/2006/test.asp. There, one finds a test covering driving topics such as lane changing, parking, braking, pedestrian interaction, lighting, signage, and what to do in case of a flat tire.

The exam is state-universal, but covers items typically found in booklets such as the Washington Driver Guide. Similar to an initial driver’s test, this one has 20 questions, and you must get 70 percent to pass.

I took this test and missed none, but attributed that to the test being too easy. What worries me though, is that 1 in 11 people taking it nationwide, which equates to 18 million drivers, did not achieve 70 percent. I’m very concerned about being out on the roads with those drivers, but I’m equally afraid of the ones who got 70-90 percent. A 70 percent score allows six misses, and missing more than one, to me, shows a glaring lack of driving knowledge.

I wouldn’t rate any of the questions as “tough,” but the most missed question on the exam was this one:

Highways are most slippery (select one):

“A. During a heavy rainstorm

“B. During light rain

“C. Just when it starts to rain after a dry spell

The answer to that question is “c.” All drivers should be aware that during a rain after a dry spell, surface oils and dust on the roadway mix with the fresh rain forming a slick concoction which is at it’s worst until continuing rain washes contaminants away.

There were several conclusions made from the nationwide test results. More than one in three drivers disregard those on foot — they don’t stop for pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. Even more disturbing, many now consider driving to be a “down time,” where they have time to catch up on phone calls, text messaging, and other distractions.

Rules of the road and common sense traffic manners should not just be learned at 16 years of age then forgotten, but rather must be an ongoing study. Gary Kusomi, CEO and president of GMAC Insurance states, “We want to remind everyone that they need to work on their driving skills every day. If we’re all diligent, we can avoid many accidents and stay safe.” I like Kusomi’s thinking, since his driver message lines up with mine.

Here’s a question many drivers would be unable to answer in a pop quiz format: What is your current vehicle speed?

I continuously notice that many drivers either don’t know their speed, or are indifferent toward maintaining it. On a road trip yesterday, I followed several different vehicles on a 60-mph roadway at different times, and suffered through their 45-to-65-mph speed variances until I could make a pass.

I realize that the minimum speed on such roads is 45 mph, and that one can usually drive 65 mph ticket-free, but can’t drivers choose one speed and stay with it? Choose 45, and that’s fine with me — I’ll be able to blow by you like you’re standing still on the appropriate straightaway. Choose 65, and that’s fine too — I’ll be able to maintain a 2-to-3-second following distance, and enjoy my drive. If you choose 75, that’s fine too — just pass when you catch me, rather than ride my rear.

But please, don’t choose 45, 55, and 65 — the incongruity is unpredictable, unsafe, and ruins the drive for those who like to be “steady as she goes,” like me. Yesterday, I endured half of a dozen drivers who slowed woefully for every corner and uphill, but got up to 65 mph to thwart a reasoned pass on each straightaway or downhill. This behavior requires extra attention from the driver behind to accommodate the constant variation. Or it requires an 80-mph pass to get clear of the offender, expecting that their slow speed will resume at the next hill, curve, or other perceived impediment.

Passing does not always prove effective, however, because these intermittent slowpokes are better followers than leaders, and may now stick to your rear bumper after the pass, regardless of your speed. Attention and common sense can alleviate this driving irritation. Why not simply pick a speed and maintain it? If you can’t concentrate enough to accomplish this on your own, there is always cruise control.

Driving is not difficult, but driving well requires knowledge, experience, and above all — thought.