by Tom Green
SIPDE is a five step process used to make your riding safer. You may ask what is SIPDE? Here it is broken down.
SCAN
IDENTIFY
PREDICT
DECIDE
EXECUTE
SCAN
Search aggressively ahead of you, to the sides, and behind you for any potential problems that may arise. Looking ahead doesn't mean the car in front of you. You should be looking about twelve seconds ahead of you. If you spot a potential problem quick enough it may give you those few added seconds to react. You also want to focus on escape routes when coming upon intersections, shopping areas, school and construction zones.
IDENTIFY
You want to locate potential hazards
Vehicles and other motorcycles may move into your path and increase the likelihood of an accident.
Pedestrians and animals are unpredictable and make short and quick moves.
Stationary objects like potholes, guard rails, bridges, roadway signs, hedges and trees will not move into your path but may influence your riding strategy.
PREDICT
Consider speed, distance and direction. Cars moving into your path are more dangerous than those moving away or standing still.
Predict where a collision may occur. Try using the phrase "what if...?" to estimate the results of contacting or attempting to avoid a hazard.
DECIDE
Decide what to do based upon your prediction.
The course of action you take will depend on how aggressively you searched the area. You want to reduce or eliminate the hazard. You must decide when, where and how to take action. Your constant decision making tasks must stay sharp to handle the constantly changing traffic conditions.
EXECUTE
Carry out your decision. Adjust your speed by slowing, accelerating, or braking. Adjust your position or direction.