Unit 5: Transportation
Lesson 3: Owning a Car
Topic 5: Legal Issues
OBJECTIVES
Identify ways to prevent auto accidents.
Discuss what to do when you are in a car accident.
Discuss the problems related to traffic violations.
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
This lesson is a "friendly reminder." If the student has a driver's license,
he should have the proper training to avoid accidents and traffic violations.
Nevertheless, it does not hurt to review some basics. One community resource
that could be used is a defensive driving course which will lower a person's
car insurance. You may see if a police officer can do this training as a
service to your program.
Have a discussion about auto accidents. Try to get the students to generate
most of the discussion about ways to avoid accidents. Discussion should cover
at least these areas:
Obey the speed limit. Remind students that just because it seems like every
one else is speeding, they should pay attention to the limit.
Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even though a
couple of beers might not make a person legally intoxicated, it may be enough
to affect driving (especially if someone is on psychotropic medications).
A 180-pound man can be near the legal limit of intoxication by drinking only
four beers. Remind students not to push the limits of this. It is best to
stress that a person should not drink prior to driving.
Avoid distractions. Talking on a phone, trying to light cigarettes, or getting
a tape for the tape player can distract you from driving. Try to do these
things at stop signs or while driving slowly.
Be a defensive driver. Keep an eye on cars and everything going on around
you. It will help you avoid accidents.
Talk about what to do in case of an accident. It might be a good idea to
have the students put an "accident procedure" in their cars. Usually, the
insurance company has a printout of what they want their clients to do in
case of an accident. Usually, the first step is to check to see if anyone
is injured. Next, call the police. Tell the students that no one should ever
talk you out of calling the police no matter how small the accident. If you
discover an injury or damage to the car at a later date, a police report
is the only evidence of the accident. After the police are called, you will
want to call your insurance agent.
Discuss traffic violations. Do not do a driver's education course. Students
should already be aware of traffic violations. Use this time to remind them
of a few things. First, obeying traffic laws is a great way to prevent accidents.
Second, if you are pulled over by the police or you receive a ticket, respond
appropriately. Having a bad attitude with the police or refusing to pay a
fine will only get you into more trouble. Carefully follow the information
on the ticket or instructions the police gave you. Finally, remind students
that violating traffic laws or getting into accidents will increase their
insurance premiums.
The following is a list of the most serious traffic violations:
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Reckless driving
Speeding
Failure to yield the right of way
Passing a stopped school bus
Driving on the wrong side of the road
Illegal passing
Following too closely
Disregarding traffic control devices.
Remind students that violating any instructions in a state's driving manual
can result in a traffic violation. Examples include: not following caution
signs, operating a car that is unsafe (lights out, muffler dragging, etc.),
not using a seat belt (this is a law in most states), not using turn signals,
and not yielding to pedestrians. If a person is cited for too many violations,
he puts himself at risk of having his license taken away for a significant
period of time.
SIGNS OF GENERALIZATION
Ideally, the student does not get any traffic violations or is not at fault
in any accidents in which he is involved.
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