Safe-T Buzz Tip: Safe Driving Practices

As part of its commitment to safety, the NTTA began training its employees through the nationally recognized Smith System driver safety training program in April 2010.

To carry out the training, a staff member in the NTTA’s System and Incident Management Department was trained as a certified instructor for the Smith System. Employees who drive NTTA vehicles frequently, including those in the Maintenance Department and the Roadway Customer Service team, were selected to be trained first. To date, more than 120 NTTA employees have each gone through eight hours of training, including six hours of behind-the-wheel guidance. Eventually, every NTTA employee will be trained in the program. Employees who have completed the training say they have come away with a wealth of useful knowledge that they can use not only while driving NTTA fleet vehicles, but also while driving their own personal vehicles.

Many of the tips NTTA employees learn in the classes can be used by any driver, including using safe following distances and avoiding aggressive drivers:

Tip #1 -- Following Distance:

Drive at least four seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This allows you time and space to avoid a potential collision if the vehicle ahead of you makes any sudden or erratic movements.

Tip # 2 -- Avoid Aggressive Drivers:

Driving in the lane of least resistance is a safe option while traveling from point A to point B. In most cases, the lane of least resistance is the center lane. Motorists who are prone to aggressive driving usually drive in the left lane, which typically moves at faster speeds.

Watch for more safe driving tips in future editions of NTTA’s Driving Forward.