Sharp Drive Discuss 'Autopilot'

You have probably noticed that in any routine or repetitive activity you get to the point where you can do it automatically, without conciously thinking about it. In driving, we call that ‘autopilot’. Your subconcious mind has taken over, using past experience to manage what you are doing. You stop concentrating, and that’s when accidents can happen. When driving on autopilot you stop noticing new or changed hazzards; then suddenly something happens, resulting in near miss or even crash. In such incidents people commonly say, “I didn’t even see it.”

It happens because your mind uses a similar trick to what your computer does. When you go to a familiar website on the internet, the computer remembers it has been there before. To save downloading time, it starts building the picture on your screen from files it has stored. Likewise, when transferring a familiar picture from your retina to your brain, it uses stored memories to save time and effort. That is why you sometimes don’t see what is there.

Realising that on arriving somewhere you don’t remember much about the journey, you’ve been driving on autopilot. Noticing or remembering speed limit signs is another common sympton. It’s very dangerous to keep driving on autopilot because you won’t react in time to new or very real hazzards. You need to switch out of autopilot and stay out of it.

Firstly, learn to recognise the things that can switch you into autopilot. Driving in familiar areas within five kilometers of home or work; long, boring or monontonous drives; fatigue, wandering thoughts, problem solving, or even talk-back radio, then take action to stop or prevent them.

Let’s assume there may be dangers you have never even noticed before. Try to find them by frequently scanning the whole area ahead of and around you. Check your mirrors and instruments often. Talk to yourself or your passengers about what you are noticing which is a useful technique called ‘commentary driving’.

Familiar areas can be the most dangerous so treat them as though you have never been there before. Try to find anything that is new or changed in the area. Change the radio station or the music tempo. You may need to take a rest break. Check that you are getting fresh air into the vehicle and that you are drinking enough water. Remember, on the way to work, concentrate on the ‘way’ not the work.

There are too many hazzards for a vehicle to be driven on autopilot; keep your eyes moving and searching and stay alert, and for more information on driver training, advanced driving courses NZ and advanced driving skills course please go to http://www.sharpdrive.nz/ .