The GAAP SYSTEM

The GAAP System for Driving Safety is built on the practice of  Risk Neutralization.  Risk neutralization is a step beyond seeing a risk, to actually triggering specific sequential actions that neutralize the risk.  

The GAAP acronym stands for the four behavioral characteristics of the system.

1.   Gentleness.  The first characteristic is foundational to the system and guides the driver's approach to the entire driving task.  Gentleness can be understood as using the minimum force necessary to accomplish any task.  Risk neutralization is possible when gentleness describes how the driver interacts with the vehicle and traffic.  The opposite of Gentleness in driving is Aggressiveness.  Aggressive driving renders the employment of Risk Neutralization habits impossible.  Read More    

2.   Awareness.  The second characteristic of the GAAP System is built on scanning for risks that are visible.  The driver must constantly scan an arc of nearly 180 degrees.  The purpose of scanning is to become aware of actual and potential risk.  Actual risk is a moving vehicle, a person, or a road condition. Possible risks include intersections without visible traffic, a nearby playground, a parking lot entry, or a sidewalk.  An actual risk is neutralized only by monitoring until it ceases to be a risk.  A potential risk is neutralized by monitoring for evidence that it has become an actual risk until it can no longer be.  A driver exercising the characteristic of Awareness is constantly reminding themselves to look for and neutralize risk.  A well-developed Awareness characteristic in driving enables the following System characteristic: Anticipation.   Read More

3.  Anticipation.  The third characteristic of the system involves imagining risks that can't yet be seen.  The simple expression "Expect Everything" informs this characteristic of driving behavior.  The Anticipation characteristic takes the Awareness characteristic to a higher level.  Instead of only being aware of what can be seen, the driver anticipates risks that can arise but have not been seen yet—

   1. • a driver speeding out of nowhere through a red light, or 

      • an oncoming driver crossing the center line due to distraction.  

      • An unseen child suddenly running between parked cars.  

      • A sudden slippery spot on what seems to be a dry highway.  

Successful risk neutralization requires constant tuning of the Anticipation characteristic by learning where unseen risks may hide and not taking them for granted.    Read More

4.    Position.  The fourth and final component is informed by the other three.  As drivers advance in developing a mindset of Risk Neutralization, they learn how to position themselves in the lowest possible consistently or ideally zero risk positions.  We believe that driving through non-neutralized risk is NEVER necessary.  Neutralizing risk, however, is a skill to be developed through intentional focus.  Positioning is a skill built on applying Gentleness, Awareness and Anticipation.   Read More  

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