Ups Delivers Safer Riding
UPS delivers safer riding
United Parcel Service's motto, "What can Brown do for you?" extends beyond delivering motorcycle parts on time. The safe-driving techniques that "Brown" utilizes can also help create on-road awareness among riders.
UPS drivers are some of the safest on the road. Despite having more than 117,000 drivers worldwide logging more than a billion miles each year, UPS averages fewer than one accident per million miles driven.
What makes these men and women so safe? The answer can be traced back to 1917, when UPS bicycle messengers and drivers of the company's Ford Model T package-delivery vehicles were given their first defensive driving handbook. Over the years, UPS has continued to modify and improve its safe-driving program. At its core are "Five Seeing Habits." These techniques stress the importance of "space and visibility." Applied to motorcycling, these can act as commandments for safe riding methods that focus on avoiding potential accident scenarios versus sim ply reacting to them.
Aim high in steering: Look as far down the road as possible to uncover impor tant traffic information to make appropri ate decisions.
Get the big picture: Maintain the proper following distance so you can comfort ably determine the true hazards around your vehicle. Never tailgate others.
Keep your eyes moving: iScan, don't stare. Constantly ishiff your eyes while driving. fActive eyes keep up with changing traffic conditions.
yourself an out: Be ed. Surround your vehicle with enough space in front and on at least one side to escape conflict.
Make sure they see you: Communicate in traffic with your horn, lights and turnsignals to establish eye contact with other motorists and pedestrians. Be rea sonably sure of their intentions.
UPS has turned the concept of safedriving methods into more than a pro gram. It has become a societal value, one that strives to make roads less dan gerous. By incorporating these tips into everyday riding, motorcyclists wo~dwide may one day be able to boast of a safety record of one accident per million miles ridden. -Ron Lieback
