Safety on the Road

1
Safety on the Road
According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are
the leading cause of death among teens.
The fatality rate for teen drivers is about four
times higher than the rate for drivers who are 25
to 65 years old.
2
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn to

• Develop strategies to prevent accidental injuries
  while driving or riding in a car or other vehicle
• Examine the consequences of risk-taking such as
  drinking and driving

3
Automobile Safety
Responsible Behavior While Driving

• When teens are entrusted with driving a car, they
  have a responsibility to themselves, their
  families, their passengers, and the people in
  other vehicles.
• Behaving responsibly means practicing vehicular
  safety.
• Obeying the rules means driving within the speed
  limit, yielding the right-of-way when indicated,
  and observing local traffic regulations.

4
Automobile Safety
Exercising Common Sense and Good Judgment
Pay attention to

• Your vehicle.
• Other drivers.
• Road conditions.
• Your physical state.
• Your emotional state.

5
Automobile Safety
Teen Driving Safety

• In an effort to reduce the number of teen deaths
  in car crashes, some states have adopted a
  graduated drivers licensing program.

• A graduated drivers license (GDL) allows a new
  driver to improve his or her driving skills while
  under the supervision of an older driver.
• Over time, a teen driver gains more skill, and
  the driving restrictions are lifted.

6
Automobile Safety
Being a Responsible Driver

• Always signal when you are about to make a turn
  or change lanes.
• Follow all traffic signals and signs, including
  speed limits.
• Dont tailgate. Following too closely can cause
  an accident.
• Let other drivers merge safely into traffic.

7
Automobile Safety
Road Rage

• Sometimes people who are otherwise emotionally
  stable become enraged in certain driving
  situations.
• Road rage 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.
• Some enraged drivers have been known to use guns
  or other weapons.
• If you see someone who is truly a danger on the
  road, get the vehicles license plate number and
  report it promptly to the police.

8
Automobile Safety
Importance of Using Safety Belts

• According to the CDCs statistics on teen
  driving, one in five 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.
• Make sure everyone in the car is buckled up.

9
Automobile Safety
Other Preventive Measures

• Never engage in high-risk driving behavior such
  as speeding.
• Never use alcohol and other drugs and drive, as
  these substances impair judgment, coordination,
  and reaction time.
• Dont let distractions such as eating take your
  attention away from the road.
• Realize that you have no control over what other
  drivers are doing. So for the sake of your
  safety, be a defensive driver.

10
Safety on Wheels
Bicycle Safety

• Always wear a safety-approved, hard-shell helmet.
• Ride with traffic and always yield the
  right-of-way.
• Watch for cars pulling into traffic and for car
  doors that swing open suddenly in your path.
• Obey the same rules as drivers and 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 light-colored clothing when
  riding at dawn, dusk, after dark, or in the rain.

11
Safety on Wheels
Skating Safety

• Wear protective equipmentwrist 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 that will
  prevent you from falling properly.

12
Safety on Wheels
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.
• A drivers license is not required to operate an
  ATV, but operators still need to use common sense
  and know the rules of the road.

13
Safety on Wheels
Safety Tips for Motorcyclists and ATV Operators

• Be aware of potential hazards, such as the
  presence of pedestrians.
• Wear a helmet and proper clothing, including eye
  protection.
• Be cautious in wet weather when tire traction is
  poor.
• 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.

14
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. ___________ means obeying the rules of the
road, as well as practicing common sense and good
judgment.

1. Vehicular safety
2. Road rage
3. Water safety
4. Bicycle safety

15
Quick Review - Answer
A. 1. vehicular safety Vehicular safety means
obeying the rules of the road, as well as
practicing common sense and good judgment.
Click Next to attempt another question.
16
Quick Review
Q. Which of the following are the strategies for
preventing accidental driving injuries?

1. drive faster to move traffic along, follow cars
   closely enough to aid traffic flow.
2. pay attention to your vehicle, other drivers,
   road conditions, and your physical and emotional
   state. Follow all traffic signals and signs.
3. change lanes frequently and dont allow other
   cars to pass you.
4. take your mind off the stress of driving by
   finding a song you like on the car radio or
   talking to a friend on your cell phone.

17
Quick Review - Answer
A. 2. pay attention to your vehicle, other
drivers, road conditions, and your physical and
emotional state. Follow all traffic signals and
signs. Strategies for preventing accidental
driving injuries include paying attention to your
vehicle, other drivers, road conditions, and your
physical and emotional state, following all
traffic signals and signs.
Click Next to attempt another question.
18
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. A defensive driver is a driver who is aware
of potential hazards and reacts to avoid them.

True
False
19
Quick Review - Answer
A. True. A defensive driver is a driver who is
aware of potential hazards and reacts to avoid
them.
Click Next to attempt another question.
20
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. Drinking and driving can have serious
consequences for your driving record, health, and
safety.

True
False
21
Quick Review - Answer
A. True. Drinking and driving can have serious
consequences for your driving record, health, and
safety.
Click Next to attempt another question.
22
End of Lesson 3
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