THE GAAP SAFETY TRIAD

Deployment of the GAAP System for Driving Safety into your driving routine requires an understanding of what we call the GAAP Safety Triad. The TRIAD is represented by three words that describe how to make the system work: NEVER, ALWAYS, and ONCE.

Risk Neutralization, the goal of the System, is achieved by having lists of actions you NEVER do and actions you ALWAYS do.   The lists are comprised of many common sense actions and methods. Yet, the list may also vary according to the driving you do, the vehicle you drive, your driving experience, personal well-being, and other factors.  In short, the lists contain universal and individual actions, and you must develop them yourself.  Each driver must personalize the lists and then create habits that enable them NEVER to do what is on the NEVER list and ALWAYS do what is on the ALWAYS list. Just to let you know, the lists must be informed that doing ONCE what is on the NEVER list or ONCE failing to do what is on the ALWAYS list may lead to the one time you wish you had not, or had accordingly. 

The key to leveraging the logic of the Triad is the intentional development of "Risk Neutralization" habits. These habits must be so ingrained in your driving routine that they are automatic. Regardless of how long you have been driving, you can improve. The key to improving is intentionally developing risk neutralization habits.

Here's an example of one of the "must have" habits.  We call it the "Full Stop Habit."  The exercise of this habit is the same for octagonal stop signs, flashing reds, and right turn on red.  Many drivers approach these stops as delays in their attempts to get somewhere in a hurry.  As a result, they often look for a traffic opening before they stop.  They may or may not make a complete stop before proceeding.  Collisions occur at these types of stops over 700000 times a year.  Investigators report that over one third of drivers involved in those collisions claim to have stopped.  These drivers do not have a "full stop" habit.  

If you are a pedestrian or bicyclist, you have probably noticed that many drivers approaching stop signs block the crosswalk and are focused on the vehicle traffic lanes.  Often, they may begin to proceed without any consciousness of your presence.  This happens because these drivers do not have a Full Stop Habit. 

A Full Stop Habit has these steps.

• Looking forward until you stop entirely behind the sidewalk or crosswalk 

• Foot remains on the brake while checking traffic lanes.  In addition to checking for your traffic opening, you are checking for other turning and moving traffic so you are AWARE of the flow of the traffic you are about to enter.  Instead of looking for your opening, you are appraising all active and potential risks.

• Foot remains on the brake while checking sidewalks and shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists, remaining mindful that these may not always obey traffic laws and require extra attention from drivers.

• Proceed when able to do so without harsh acceleration. 

• The time difference between a complete stop and a rolling stop is almost always measured in single digit seconds.

The key to making this habit work is to do it the same way, every time (Always), for every stop sign. If you don't do it the same at every stop, you may not do it correctly once when it really matters.  

In September of 2019, two western Wisconsin teens were killed when the driver approaching a stop sign slowed but didn't stop at a highway entrance.  The driver collided with the side of a semi traveling at highway speed.  The tires of the semi caused the sedan to roll and both teens were killed.

If this driver had the Full Stop Habit, meaning he Always stopped, regardless of the assumed necessity, he would have treated this stop like all others.  Instead of slowing, he would have stopped.  He would have seen the semi and two lives would have been spared.

This is an example of a common-sense habit with an almost zero-time cost that is easy to develop. You only need to become intentional about it, perhaps even a bit nerdy, until it becomes as natural as the "Rolling Stop Habit."

Remember, once is the opposite of Always and Never. Always make a complete stop. Please remember to look for pedestrians and cyclists.  

Consider other habits you must create with a NEVER, ALWAYS, ONCE mindset.  A sound driving habit is made up of repeated steps in sequence every time.  If you habitually repeat the steps over and over, intentionally, it will become automatic or instinctive.