Many snowbirds are senior citizens (as am I and many of us in this chapter).  Without getting wrapped around the axle over the contentious issues of elderly driving habits, capabilities and licensing, suffice it say that research has clearly shown that vision, reflexes, and even cognitive abilities can deteriorate with age.  Add to that the myriad of driving practices and experiences our returning residents bring with them from their various home states, and it’s clear that being extra cautious whenever we take to the streets and roads just make good sense, especially when we’re on our bikes.  To that end, maybe it’s a good time to dust off an old tool from our MSF class—SIPDE.

Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute.  I know, we all routinely use SIPDE every time we ride.  But what we’re talking about here is using it consciously and deliberately, aggressively employing the tool rather than letting it run on autopilot.  We know automobile drivers in general seem to have a knack for overlooking us; well some snowbirders, because of Father Time and despite often being extra cautious, may have even more difficulty seeing us.  Moreover, their actions may be even more unpredictable.

So, as we ride, we need to aggressively scan ahead and around us, identifying not just the potential hazards, but the size of our space cushion, the availability of shoulders on the roadway, the presence of other traffic, as well as trees or other obstacles in or along side the roadway.  We should check for potential escape routes in the event we suddenly need one.  This process is also known as "situational awareness," knowing what is going on around us.  Predicting should involve considering not only the various "what ifs" but also how we would react to each one (e.g., What if the dog decides to run into my path?  What if the car up ahead suddenly turns in front of me?).  Doing that gets us mentally prepared to take either proactive or reactive measures in response to a hazard or potential hazard.  We need to continue monitoring the situation as it develops, and once we determine what’s happening or most likely to happen, decide what we need to do to avoid or minimize the hazard and then do it (execute).

SIPDE isn’t fancy or complicated, but it can be invaluable in helping us look out for ourselves if we use it aggressively.  I don’t know about you, but I need all the help I can get.  Enjoy the fall weather safely.  See you on the road.