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I am somewhat obsessed with improving my driving skills, particularly w.r.t. anticipation and accident avoidance. I also got into the habit of using checklist

I am somewhat obsessed with improving my driving skills, particularly w.r.t. anticipation and accident avoidance. I also got into the habit of using checklists for important but repetitive tasks after reading Gawande's book, Now I am kicking myself that I never thoguht about applying point-and-call to driving. I can absolutely see the benefit, but would need to think about the details. Do you point out only traffic signs and signals, or things like potential threats too?

mieseratte 7y ago
The biggest use for me is turning from a static position, e.g. left from a cross-street, having started this after I made a left turn but was t-boned, mind you I've always been religious about seatbelts, checking turns (left-right-left), etc. When doing a static turn I will point-and-call left, "Clear Left," point-and-call right, "Clear Right," point-and-call left again "Clear Left," then with both hands on the wheel say "Go." I will look-and-call for lane changes, pretty much as you would imagine look over the shoulder and "Clear Left," then "Turning." Same goes for right. For me it is more action oriented, to make sure I've assessed the area for issues. I haven't done anything like call outs for threats, but now I'm kicking myself for not thinking of that. I already do that religiously in FPS games, I could see how doing that would be good to get and stay in the habit of active scanning, "Pedestrian crossing, two o'clock." Might have to try that one out too, after all my friends will love that development :)
- therealx 7y ago
  I can't imagine this with a straight face, but I do think you're a safer driver for it. I imagine an accident like that would rapidly change that. Even a small fender bender changes my driving rapidly for a good period of time. Too bad I can't get over myself :)
  - mieseratte 7y ago
    > I can't imagine this with a straight face If it works it ain't stupid. That's good enough for me. > Even a small fender bender changes my driving rapidly for a good period of time. That's always a good thing. Not sure what helps long-term other than commitment to a wonky habit. Like a good engineer, I do a post-mortem after any incident or near-incident. Crashes, tickets, brake-slams, etc. Unfortunately a lot of near-incidents are of other drivers that no amount of preparation can prevent, e.g. drivers turning onto your road severely under speed, drivers stopping short (10+ car lengths) near lights to be nice and let someone turn into or across the road.

mieseratte 7y ago

The biggest use for me is turning from a static position, e.g. left from a cross-street, having started this after I made a left turn but was t-boned, mind you I've always been religious about seatbelts, checking turns (left-right-left), etc. When doing a static turn I will point-and-call left, "Clear Left," point-and-call right, "Clear Right," point-and-call left again "Clear Left," then with both hands on the wheel say "Go." I will look-and-call for lane changes, pretty much as you would imagine look over the shoulder and "Clear Left," then "Turning." Same goes for right. For me it is more action oriented, to make sure I've assessed the area for issues. I haven't done anything like call outs for threats, but now I'm kicking myself for not thinking of that. I already do that religiously in FPS games, I could see how doing that would be good to get and stay in the habit of active scanning, "Pedestrian crossing, two o'clock." Might have to try that one out too, after all my friends will love that development :)

therealx 7y ago
I can't imagine this with a straight face, but I do think you're a safer driver for it. I imagine an accident like that would rapidly change that. Even a small fender bender changes my driving rapidly for a good period of time. Too bad I can't get over myself :)
- mieseratte 7y ago
  > I can't imagine this with a straight face If it works it ain't stupid. That's good enough for me. > Even a small fender bender changes my driving rapidly for a good period of time. That's always a good thing. Not sure what helps long-term other than commitment to a wonky habit. Like a good engineer, I do a post-mortem after any incident or near-incident. Crashes, tickets, brake-slams, etc. Unfortunately a lot of near-incidents are of other drivers that no amount of preparation can prevent, e.g. drivers turning onto your road severely under speed, drivers stopping short (10+ car lengths) near lights to be nice and let someone turn into or across the road.