! WARNING
Indicates a potential hazard that could
result in a serious injury or death.
24
Sound Judgment
Overview
You are not invincible. Knowing that
the first “S” in “P.A.S.S.” stands for
“Sound Judgment” means you need to
use yours.
Do you consider yourself to be pretty
conservative, or are you a heavy risk-
taker? Before continuing with this sec-
tion on sound judgment, check your
Risk Factor
by doing this short sur-
vey:
1.
Do you drive over the speed limit?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
2.
Are you more daring around your
friends than you are when alone?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
3.
Do you drive your car when the
gas gauge is on empty?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
4.
Do you feel that no matter what
you do, you won’t get hurt?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
5.
Do you drink or use drugs before
you drive your car?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
6.
Do you drive your car even if it
has a major problem with the
brakes, tires, or engine?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
7.
Do you thrive on the adrenaline
rush you get from speeding and
dangerous situations?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
8.
Do you hurt yourself because you
do things that are out of your abil-
ity range?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
9.
Do you tailgate other drivers when
you think they’re driving too
slow?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
10.
Do you ignore weather reports
before you do outside activities
like swimming, camping, fishing,
or boating?
1
2
3
Never
Sometimes
Often
Add the totals from lines 1-10.
YOUR
RISK FACTOR IS:
10-15:
You’re pretty conservative.
Chances are good that the consistently
safe choices you make will help you
avoid hurting yourself and the people
around you.
16-20:
You’re straddling the fence.
Depending on your mood or whom
you’re with, the choices you make may
help you or hurt you.
21-30:
You’re taking your chances.
Time to reconsider a lot of the judg-
ments you make. You’re destined to
put yourself in dangerous situations
and potentially hurt yourself and the
people around you.
