Safety on the Road Lesson 3 of 4

Instant Activity Make a list of strategies for preventing an unintentional injury while operating a vehicle. Include all of the safety measures that you think apply.

Automobile Safety According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. When teens are are entrusted with driving a car, they have a responsibility to themselves, their families, their passengers, and the people in other vehicles. That responsibility is to behave in a manner that reduces the risk of injury and death. Vehicular safety- obeying the rules of the road, as well as practicing common sense and good judgment. Drive within the speed limit yielding the right-of-way when indicated observing local traffic regulations ***Automobile safety begins even before you start the car-BUCKLE UP!

Common Sense and Good Judgment as a driver Pay attention to your vehicle. Pay attention to other drivers. Pay attention to road conditions. Pay attention to your physical state. Pay attention to your emotional state.

Teen Driving Safety According to the CDC, teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, ride with an intoxicated driver, drive after using alcohol or drugs. Teens are also more likely than older drivers to underestimate the dangers in hazardous situations, and they have less experience adjusting to these situations. In an effort to reduce the number of teen deaths in car crashes, some states have adopted a graduated driver’s licensing program. A graduated driver’s license is a licensing program that gradually increases a new driver’s driving privileges over time as experience and skill are gained. This system allows a new driver to improve his or her driving skills while under the supervision of an older driver.

Should All States Graduated Licensing for Teen Drivers?-Activity Should All States Adopt Graduated Licensing for Teen Drivers? Some stats have adopted a system of graduated driver licensing (GDK) for teens. This system is based on the idea that a teen with anew driver’s license needs time and guidance to gain driving experiences and skills in reduced-risk settings. More than half of all states have GDL laws. Should the remaining states also adopt GDL Laws for new drivers? Here are two points of view.

Should All States Graduated Licensing for Teen Drivers?-Activity cont. Viewpoint 1: Ryan D., age 17 Studies have shown that states with GDL laws have experienced reductions in crashes and traffic violations. I think all states should adopt these laws. When you’re behind the wheel, you’re responsible for yourself and others. Viewpoint 2: Shandra L., age 16 I see Ryan’s point, but I’m not sure all states need to adopt this system. I think the privilege of driving should be based on skill, not on age, especially in states that don’t have high crash rates involving teens.

Should All States Graduated Licensing for Teen Drivers?-Activity cont. Are graduated licensing laws a good ideas for all states? Do you think these laws make a difference or would make a difference in your state in terms of fewer lives lost and reduced number of traffic violations? Explain.

Being a Responsible Driver As you learn to drive and make decisions behind the wheel, be considerate. Other drivers are trying to anticipate your next move, just as you are trying to anticipate theirs. Follow these safety tips: Always signal when you are about to make a turn or change lanes. Turn the signal off after the maneuver is complete.

Being a Responsible Driver cont. Follow all traffic signals and signs, including speed limits. Don’t tailgate. Following too closely can cause an accident. Other drivers may view tailgating as a hostile act. Let other drivers merge safely into traffic. Cutting them off or not allowing them to merge is unsafe for you and others.

Road Rage Sometimes people who are otherwise emotionally sable become enraged in certain driving situations. Road rage is a practice of endangering drivers by using a vehicle as a weapon. It can be triggered by a variety of acts, including disputes over a parking space, obscene gestures, loud music, overuse of the horn, and slow driving. A driver consumed with road rage may run red lights, tailgate, or pass on a shoulder. Some enraged drivers have been known to use guns or other weapons. If you see someone who is truly a danger on the road, keep your distance. Get the vehicle’s license plate number, and report it promptly to the police.

Other Preventive Measures Safety belts save live. Yet according to the the CDC’s statistics on teen driving, 1 in 5 high school students report that they rarely or never wear safety belts when riding with someone else. Drivers and passengers who fail to use safety belts are more likely to be thrown from the vehicle in a crash. Never engage in high-risk driving behavior such as speeding, drag racing, or daredevil stunts. Alcohol and other drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Never use these substances and drive-the consequences could be fatal.

Other Preventive Measures cont. Don’t’ let distractions such as eating or adjusting the radio or CD player take your attention away from the road. Don’t use cell phones while driving. Realize that you have no control over what other drivers are doing, so for the sake of your safety, drive defensively. A defensive driver is a driver who is aware of potential hazards and reacts to avoid them.

Safety on Wheels It is important to use proper safety equipment and common sense when bicycling; skateboarding; riding a scooter; or operating a motorcycle, off-road vehicle, or moped. Almost half of the motor cycle drivers who were killed in the year 2000 were not wearing helmets. Many of these drivers could have survived if they had been wearing helmets. Bicycle Safety Always wear a safety-approved, hard-shell helmet that fits properly.

Safety on Wheels cont. Ride with traffic. Always yield the right-of-way- you will not win against a car or truck. Watch for cars pulling into traffic and for car doors that swing open suddenly in your path. Obey the same rules as drivers, such as signaling before you turn and stopping for red lights and stop signs. Learn to use the hand signals for making turns and stopping.

Safety on Wheels cont. Except when signaling, keep both hands on the handlebars. Make sure your bike has a bright headlight and a red rear light and reflector for night riding. Wear reflective, or at least light-colored, clothing when riding at dawn, dusk, after dark, or in the rain.

Skating Safety Skateboarding and in-line skating can be a lot of fun. Follow these tips to help keep these activities safe: Wear protective equipment-wrist guards, elbow and knee pads, and a safety-approved, hard-shell helmet. Watch for pedestrians and keep your speed under control. If you begin to fall, curl up into a ball and roll, staying loose. Do not hold anything in your hand, such as a portable radio. Doing so will not allow you to fall properly.

Motorcycles and All-terrain Vehicles Motorcycles and mopeds are subject to the same traffic laws as cars. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are driven off-road. Safety Tips to follow: Be aware of potential hazards, such as a car door opening or the presence of pedestrians. Wear a helmet and proper clothing, including eye protection. Be cautious in wet weather when tire traction is poor.

Motorcycles and All-terrain Vehicles cont. Do not carry an additional rider unless you have a second seat and an additional set of safety equipment, including a helmet. Do not grab onto objects or other vehicles while moving. Do not use ATVs on paved roads or streets. Ride four-wheeled ATVs only; they are less likely to flip than three-wheeled ones.

Exit slip Define the term vehicular safety. Analyze and identify three strategies for preventing accidental injuries while driving a car. What is a defensive driver? What does the saying “it’s better to be alive than right” mean when it comes to vehicular safety? Drinking and driving can have serious consequences. List three negative consequences associated with the risk behavior.

References Hilborn, Michael, Mary Bronson. Merki, and Don Merki. (2004). Injury Prevention and Safe Behaviors, Glencoe Health (pp.706-729). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.