The Role of the Family
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Transcript The Role of the Family
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.
1. Are graduated licensing laws a good ideas
for all states?
2. 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-ofway- 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
1. Define the term vehicular safety.
2. Analyze and identify three strategies for
preventing accidental injuries while driving a car.
3. What is a defensive driver?
4. What does the saying “it’s better to be alive
than right” mean when it comes to vehicular
safety?
5. 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.