UPS 10 Point Commentary & 5 Seeing Habits Explained

Every UPS driver — new or experienced — is expected to know two foundational safe-driving frameworks by heart: the 10 Point Commentary and the 5 Seeing Habits. Together, these tools form the backbone of UPS's Smith System-based defensive driving program. Knowing them isn't just about passing a road test; they are the mental habits that keep you, your passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers safe every single day on the road.

Important labeling note: The 10 Point Commentary and 5 Seeing Habits are UPS safety training programs. They are described in publicly available UPS training materials and widely discussed in driver training resources ^{[5][6][7][8][9]}. The contract excerpts available for this article do not directly address these safety programs; however, UPS's delivery methods manual does address related on-road habits and situational awareness practices ^[1][2]. Where relevant, those contract-document connections are noted below.

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What Are the 5 Seeing Habits?

The 5 Seeing Habits are a set of visual-awareness techniques designed to help drivers see and respond to hazards before they become emergencies ^[9]. They are drawn from the Smith System, a globally recognized defensive driving methodology. UPS has integrated them into its driver training as non-negotiable daily habits.

The 5 Seeing Habits (Word for Word)

According to UPS training resources ^[5][9], you must know these word for word:

1. Aim High in Steering — Look 15 seconds ahead in city driving, and 15–20 seconds ahead on the highway. Don't focus on the vehicle directly in front of you.

2. Get the Big Picture — Keep your eyes moving. Scan the entire scene — not just the road ahead but also the sides, mirrors, and background. Avoid tunnel vision.

3. Keep Your Eyes Moving — Shift your eyes every 2 seconds. A fixed stare slows your reaction time and reduces your field of vision.

4. Leave Yourself an Out — Manage the space around your vehicle so you always have an escape route if something goes wrong. Avoid being surrounded by other vehicles with no escape path.

5. Make Sure They See You — Use eye contact, your horn, headlights, and turn signals to communicate with other drivers and pedestrians. Never assume another driver or pedestrian has seen you ^[9].

The key phrase associated with habit #5 is: "DON'T GAMBLE — USE YOUR HORN, LIGHTS, AND SIGNALS" ^[9].

How the 5 Seeing Habits Connect to UPS's On-Road Methods

UPS's own Delivery and Pickup Methods Standard Practice Manual reinforces situational awareness on the road. For example, drivers are instructed to remember five or more stops in advance, to always know their next time-committed stops (such as Next Day Air and 2nd Day Air AM), and to use delays — like doorbell waits and elevator rides — to plan ahead ^[1]. This kind of proactive mental engagement directly supports the "Aim High" and "Get the Big Picture" seeing habits, because a driver who knows what's coming next on their route is better positioned to scan and plan, rather than react.

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What Is the 10 Point Commentary?

The 10 Point Commentary is a spoken or mental narrative that drivers use to verbalize their awareness of hazards, space, and conditions around their vehicle ^[5][6][8]. Think of it as "thinking out loud" about what you see — a proven technique to keep your brain actively engaged rather than on autopilot.

Training resources make clear that while the 5 Seeing Habits must be memorized word for word, the 10 Point Commentary should be expressed in your own words — the goal is genuine comprehension, not robotic recitation ^[5]. It is also sometimes studied alongside the 5 Seeing Habits as a paired set, and training videos and PDFs are widely available to help drivers prepare ^[6][7][8].

The 10 Points of the Commentary (with the "10 Whys")

Generally speaking, the 10 Point Commentary covers the following areas of space and visibility management (this is general training knowledge consistent with publicly available UPS materials ^[7][8][9]):

1. Aim High in Steering — Why: Gives you more time and distance to react to hazards; reduces over-steering.

2. Get the Big Picture — Why: Allows you to identify hazards early, before they develop into emergencies.

3. Keep Your Eyes Moving — Why: Prevents target fixation; keeps your peripheral vision active.

4. Leave Yourself an Out — Why: Ensures you have a path of escape if a vehicle or pedestrian moves unexpectedly.

5. Make Sure They See You — Why: Eliminates the assumption that other road users are aware of your presence.

6. Intersection Awareness — Why: Intersections are among the highest-risk locations for collisions; slowing and scanning before entering is critical.

7. Following Distance — Why: Maintaining at least 3–4 seconds of following distance (more in poor conditions) gives you time to stop safely.

8. Backing — Why: Backing is one of the most common causes of UPS vehicle accidents. The rule is: when in doubt, don't back — circle the block instead (G.O.A.L. — Get Out And Look).

9. Communicating — Why: Using signals, horn, and eye contact reduces conflicts and confusion with other road users.

10. Speed Management / Space Cushion — Why: Speed directly determines stopping distance; managing speed gives you control over outcomes.

Note: The exact wording of each of the 10 points may vary slightly by region or training cohort. What matters — as UPS training materials emphasize — is that you understand why each point matters and can explain it in your own words ^[5].

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How the Commentary Connects to UPS Package Car Operations

UPS's Delivery and Pickup Methods Manual reinforces several of these principles directly in the context of package car operation:

• Securing the vehicle at every stop is mandatory. Drivers must shift into the lowest forward gear (or Park for automatics), turn off the ignition, remove the key, and engage the parking brake — all as combined, simultaneous steps ^[2]. This directly supports the backing and space-management points of the commentary.

• Never leaving the key in the car is explicitly required ^[2]. This is a safety and security measure connected to the "communicate and control your environment" theme of the commentary.

• Organized, automatic routines — like always keeping the pen in the same pocket and always storing the DIAD in its holder — reduce cognitive load while driving and help keep a driver's mind free to focus on the road ^[2].

• Remembering 5+ stops ahead, visualizing deliveries, and planning during doorbell waits and elevator rides ^[1] all reinforce the "Aim High" and "Get the Big Picture" habits by keeping the driver mentally engaged with what's ahead.

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Why These Programs Matter for Teamsters

Generally speaking, UPS drivers face some of the highest-frequency driving exposure of any occupation — making dozens to over 100 stops per day in mixed traffic environments. Defensive driving programs like the 5 Seeing Habits and 10 Point Commentary are not just company policy; they reflect decades of safety science showing that most vehicle collisions are preventable through better observation and hazard anticipation.

From a union perspective, knowing these programs thoroughly also matters for discipline and grievance purposes. If UPS cites a safety violation as grounds for discipline, a driver's documented understanding of and adherence to the 5 Seeing Habits and 10 Point Commentary can be a critical part of any defense. If you believe a discipline was unjust, you have the right to file a grievance — and in areas like Alaska, grievances must generally be reported to a shop steward within five (5) calendar days of the incident, with disputes filed no later than twenty (20) calendar days of the known occurrence ^[3][4].

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How to Study: Practical Tips

• Memorize the 5 Seeing Habits word for word — this is what UPS expects ^[5].
• Understand the 10 Points in your own words — don't just recite; explain the why behind each point ^[5].
• Use available training videos — multiple YouTube playlists cover both programs with commentary walkthroughs ^[6][8].
• Download the PDF study guides — training portals like the Cerca Feeder Portal offer printable PDFs for both the 5 Seeing Habits and the 10 Point Commentary ^[7].
• Practice the commentary while driving — training resources specifically suggest playing training videos while driving to reinforce the habits in a real-world context ^[6].

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What to Do Next

If you're preparing for a road test, a safety audit, or simply want to refresh your knowledge, start by downloading the PDF study guides ^[7] and watching the training video playlists ^[6][8]. If you've received discipline related to a safety observation or on-road performance, talk to your shop steward right away — time limits for filing grievances are strict and vary by supplement and rider. You can also ask TeamstersGPT with your supplement selected for contract-specific guidance on discipline procedures and your rights under the National Master Agreement.