If you’ve ever seen a brown truck idling at a curb and wondered why the driver looks like they’re performing a mental scan of the entire neighborhood, you’ve witnessed the UPS 10 point commentary in action. It’s not just a checklist. Honestly, it’s a lifestyle for the people behind the wheel.
Ask any veteran feeder or package car driver about their "34 methods" or the "5 and 10," and you’ll likely get a thousand-yard stare. That’s because these protocols are drilled into their brains during the infamous "Integrad" training boot camps. It’s intense. It’s rigid. And frankly, it’s the reason UPS has a safety record that most logistics companies would kill for.
Why the UPS 10 Point Commentary Is the Gold Standard
Safety isn't just a buzzword at Big Brown; it’s a legal and financial imperative. When you’re maneuvering a vehicle that weighs several tons through narrow suburban streets or tight loading docks, "winging it" isn't an option. The UPS 10 point commentary serves as the verbal proof that a driver is actually processing their surroundings.
It’s one thing to look at a mirror. It’s another thing entirely to narrate exactly what you see, why it matters, and how you’re going to react to it. This isn't just for newbies either. Even senior drivers with thirty years on the road have to keep these habits sharp. They call it "commentary driving" because you literally talk to yourself while you navigate. You sound a little crazy to the uninitiated, but it keeps you from crashing.
1. Starting Up: The Five-Point Eye Lead
Before you even get into the meat of the ten points, you have to master the "Five Seeing Steps." These are the foundation.
- Aim High in Steering: Look 8-12 seconds ahead. It's about anticipation.
- Get the Big Picture: Stay 360-degree aware.
- Keep Your Eyes Moving: Don't stare. Scan.
- Leave Yourself an Out: Always have an escape route.
- Make Sure They See You: Use your horn, lights, and signals.
Once those are second nature, you move into the deeper nuance of the commentary.
Breaking Down the 10 Points of Commentary
The actual UPS 10 point commentary is a set of specific observations and actions that happen every time a driver interacts with traffic. It’s a rhythmic, almost meditative process once you get it down.
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Clearing Intersections
This is huge. You don't just "go" when the light turns green. You look left, right, and then left again. You’re looking for the "red light runner"—that person on their phone who didn't see the signal change. By scanning left twice, you’re checking the closest lane of immediate danger.
When Stopped in Traffic
You have to see rear tires. If you can’t see the tires of the car in front of you touching the pavement, you’re too close. Why? Because if that car stalls, you need to be able to pull around it without backing up. Backing is the enemy at UPS. They hate it. They track it. Avoiding it is a primary goal of the commentary.
Count One-Two-Three After the Vehicle Ahead Moves
When the light turns green and the car in front starts rolling, you don't just stomp on the gas. You count. One. Two. Three. This creates a cushion. It gives you space to react if the person in front of you suddenly remembers they forgot their coffee on the roof and slams the brakes.
Following Distance: The 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 Second Rule
Speed matters here. Under 30 mph? You need 4 to 6 seconds of space. Over 30 mph? You need 6 to 8 seconds. It sounds like a lot of room, and in heavy city traffic, people will constantly cut you off. But the commentary forces you to keep resetting that gap. You’re constantly measuring distance against stationary objects like telephone poles or shadows.
Eye Lead Time
This is the 8 to 12-second rule. You shouldn't be looking at the bumper in front of you. You should be looking at where you’re going to be in ten seconds. It allows for smoother braking and better fuel economy.
Scanning Mirrors
Check them every 5 to 8 seconds. It’s a quick glance. You’re looking for lane changes, motorcycles filtering through, or that aggressive driver trying to squeeze past your blind spot.
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Stale Green Lights
A stale green light is one you didn't see turn green. You have to assume it’s about to turn yellow. You pick a "point of decision." If the light changes before you hit that point, you stop. If you've passed it, you keep going smoothly. No slamming on brakes. No "racing the yellow."
Eye-to-Eye Contact
Basically, don't trust anyone. You look at the other driver. You make sure they see you. If they’re looking at their lap, they’re on their phone. If they’re looking at their GPS, they aren't looking at you. You use your horn—a friendly tap—to wake them up.
Pulling from the Curb
Left blinker. Left mirror. Look over the left shoulder. You don't just merge; you verify the path is clear. It’s the three-point check that saves lives.
Use of Mirrors and Gauges
When you’re on the move, your eyes should be on a constant loop. Front, mirror, front, gauge, front, other mirror. It keeps the driver engaged. It prevents the "highway hypnosis" that leads to catastrophic rear-end collisions.
The Mental Toll of Precision
Let's be real: this is exhausting.
Imagine doing this for an eight, ten, or twelve-hour shift. Every intersection, every stoplight, every curb. The UPS 10 point commentary isn't just a list of rules; it's a cognitive load. Most people drive on autopilot. UPS drivers aren't allowed that luxury. If a supervisor rides along for an audit—and they do—the driver has to recite this commentary out loud while driving.
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"Clearing the intersection, left-right-left. Checking my mirrors, 5 to 8 seconds. Stale green light, point of decision is the manhole cover."
If you miss a point, you might fail the audit. Fail enough audits, and your career in the brown truck is over.
What the Training Gets Wrong (and Right)
Some critics and even some drivers argue that the 10-point system is "robotic." There’s a certain amount of truth to that. It doesn't always account for the sheer chaos of modern urban driving where delivery moped riders zip around like they have a respawn button.
However, the data doesn't lie. UPS has thousands of drivers in the "Circle of Honor," an elite group of professionals who have driven for 25 years or more without a single avoidable accident. You don't get there by being lucky. You get there by following the commentary until it becomes as natural as breathing.
The system works because it removes the "feeling" of driving and replaces it with a "process" of driving. You aren't "feeling" like you have enough space; you are "verifying" that you have 6 seconds of follow time.
Actionable Steps for the Average Driver
You don't have to wear the brown shorts to benefit from the UPS 10 point commentary. If you want to be a safer driver today, start with these three things:
- Stop "tailgating" at lights. When you stop behind someone, make sure you can see their tires touching the ground. If they break down or someone starts a fight in the street, you can get out without backing up.
- The 3-second count. When the light turns green, just wait. Count to three. It feels like an eternity, and someone might honk, but you will miss the person trying to beat the yellow on the cross-street 100% of the time.
- The 8-second scan. Stop looking at the car directly in front of you. Look way down the road. If you see brake lights five cars ahead, you can let off the gas now instead of slamming the brakes later.
Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us do every day. Treating it like a professional discipline instead of a commute changes everything. The UPS methods are intense, but they’re built on the simple reality that human error is usually just a lack of attention. The commentary is the cure for that.
Next Steps for Mastery:
To truly implement these habits, start by practicing just one point per week. Don't try to narrate your whole drive on Monday morning; you'll get overwhelmed. Start with the "One-Two-Three" count at stoplights. Once that becomes a subconscious habit, move on to mirror scans every 5-8 seconds. Over the course of two months, you’ll find that your "close calls" on the road drop to almost zero. Safety isn't an accident—it's a conscious verbal commitment to the road.