IPDE stands for Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute. This is the step-by-step process behind the principles of defensive driving and complexities of visual perception in traffic. Driving is such a regular and routine part of our lives that we’re often figuratively asleep at the wheel. IPDE demands the driver engage in the strategic thinking and acting process when driving a vehicle. Four Steps of the IPDE Process1. I—Identify—Locate potential hazards within the driving scene. In the first step of the IDPE process, the driver should survey the surrounding area for potential obstructions and deteriorating weather conditions. From approaching cyclists to a stopped vehicle parked curbside, identifying potential hazards is crucial to maintaining safety. 2. P—Predict—Judge where the possible points of conflict may occur. It is important that drivers remain alert and actively attempt to predict other driver’s actions before they occur. Anticipating other driver’s movements allow you to formulate a proper response. 3. D—Decide—Determine what action to take, when, and where to take it. If you anticipate a driver to change lanes or abruptly brake, think through an adequate response. Should you put more space between you and the other driver? Should you communicate to the other driver by utilizing your horn? 4. E—Execute—Act by maneuvering the car to avoid conflicts. With due caution, execute your decision. Decide swiftly what response is most appropriate for the situation in order to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. The responses could include braking, accelerating, or a combination of multiple actions to safely navigate the situation. The IPDE process can help you avoid collisions and is an ideal practice to become a proficient defensive driver. This is an excellent system that drivers can learn to implement instinctively and almost instantaneously when faced with a possibly dangerous situation on the road. Ask an instructor at Top Driver if the IPDE method is right for you. If you’re interested in improving your driving knowledge and becoming a more proactive driver, contact Top Driver today or sign up for an online driving course.
1 lesson 5.3 DECIDE AND EXECUTE 2 Name the three decisions you must make when applying the IPDE Process. 3 Drivers must continually identify and predict until they have enough information to make correct decisions. To execute a decision means that you carry out the action that you have decided to do. In this situation, reducing speed so the passing car can merge safely is a low-risk driving action. 4 List the three most important actions you can take to avoid conflict. 5 Decide As you follow your intended path of travel, your decision might be to maintain speed, change speed, change direction, or communicate. You might decide to use a combination of these actions. Be prepared to rethink your decisions as zones close and greater hazards are presented. 6 The driver of the yellow car decided to accelerate to provide space for the passing driver to return to the right lane. What might have happened if the driver of the yellow car had decided not to accelerate? 7 Decide to Change Speed Any decision you make will be influenced by the speed of your own vehicle as well as the speed of other vehicles. You can decide to maintain your speed, decelerate, brake, or accelerate. Base your decision about speed control on your evaluation of the situation as well as the possible consequences of your actions. 8 Decide to Change Direction 9 Describe the three different lane positions available to you within your lane. 10 Three different lane positions are available to you within your lane. 11 Lane Position 2 You might decide to use this position when there is a closed right-front zone with an open left-front zone. 12 Lane Position 3 Use this position when there is a closed left-front zone with an open right-front zone. 13 There may be times when the situation requires a greater change in direction than the three lane positions. You may decide that the best position, in some situations, is to straddle a lane line. Return to lane position 1 as soon as it is safe to do so. 14 Decide to Communicate The decision to communicate with other users of the roadway helps reduce the possibility of conflict. You can decide to communicate with others by: using lights horn vehicle position eye contact body movement 15 After deciding the best method of communicating, you will execute that action to inform others of your decision. This driver decided to use body movement by waving the driver on the left through the intersection first. 16 Traffic Flow The safest position in traffic is where the fewest vehicles surround you. Continually analyze your left, front, and right zones and make decisions to adjust your speed or direction if one of your zones begins to close. Use the following techniques to manage time, space, and distance in order to maintain your safe path of travel. 17 Minimize a Hazard You always want to minimize a hazard, or reduce the possibility of conflict, by deciding to put more distance between yourself and the hazard. In this traffic scene, the yellow car is approaching the parked cars on the right. What might the driver of the yellow car predict, decide, and execute to minimize a hazard? 18 Separate Hazards There will be times when you face more than one hazard at the same time. When this occurs, do not try to handle both or all hazards at once. Instead, decide to adjust your speed to let them separate so you can deal with only one hazard at a time. 19 To avoid trouble, what might the driver do to separate hazards? 20 Compromise Space Sometimes hazards cannot be minimized or separated. 21 Execute Carrying out your decision in order to avoid conflict is the execute step in the IPDE Process. This step involves the physical skills used in driving. In most cases, you will execute routine actions and maneuvers. More important actions, however, involve timing and placement of your vehicle to avoid conflict. The important actions you will execute are control speed steer communicate 22 Control Speed There are different techniques to control vehicle speed. Always check your rear zone before decelerating or braking in any manner. Speed can be maintained but reduced by merely releasing the accelerator when you see a red light. Use gentle pressure on the brake if more slowing is needed. 23 When greater deceleration is needed, use firm braking 24 Avoid locking the brakes in an emergency stop 25 The driver of the car in this traffic scene is entering the intersection at the same time the white car from the right makes a right turn and enters the driver’s path. The driver avoids locking the brakes so as not to lose steering control. 26 Steer Steering Too Much When you decide to steer away from a possible conflict, execute just the amount of steering needed. If you turn the steering wheel too much, you can lose control of your vehicle, especially at higher speeds. 27 Too Little Steering Try to steer just enough to avoid a conflict without making jerky or sudden movements. Drivers who keep space cushions around their vehicles usually have an escape path to steer into, thus reducing risk. 28 safe driving tip Daytime Lights Some cars are equipped with daytime- running lights. Research shows that your chance of being in a daytime crash is reduced by daytime-running lights or using low-beam headlights all the time. 29 Communicate Communicate by using the following: 30 Headlights, Taillights, and Brake Lights 31 Turn-Signal Lights Turn them on three to five seconds before making any change in direction. 32 Parking Lights and Hazard Flashers 33 Back-Up Lights White back-up lights let others know you are backing up. Look for back-up lights on vehicles in parking lots. 34 Horn A light tap is usually enough for a warning. In an emergency, a loud blast may be necessary. 35 Vehicle Position The position of your vehicle in the roadway communicates a message. It indicates to others your intended path of travel. 36 Eye Contact and Body Movement 37 Combine Actions You often will need to execute a combination of actions. Sometimes you might need to accelerate and steer at the same time. 38 If you were driving alongside the parked truck in the traffic scene, you would need to combine several actions. What actions would you take? 39 lesson 5.3 review Describe three situations where you would use each of the three lane positions. List the three actions you can execute to avoid conflict and explain how these actions help you prevent conflicts. |