NAVAL RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS
NAVAL SCIENCE LABORATORY
LESSON 30 HOURS: 15 Minutes
TITLE: TEN TRAFFIC SAFETY RULES OF THE ROAD
I. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Comprehend the ten traffic safety rules of the road.
II. REFERENCES AND TEXTS
A. Instructor references
1. OPNAVINST 5100.12 (Series), "Navy Traffic Safety Program”
2. Naval Safety Center website at: www.safetycenter.navy.mil
B. Student texts: None
III. INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
A. PowerPoint slides included with this guide or instructor-prepared transparencies
B. LCD projection system or overhead projector
C. Computer
IV. INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION: Review references and lesson plan.
V. SUGGESTED TEACHING METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Lecture/Discussion.
VI. INTRODUCTION
(On Slide #1)
A. GAIN ATTENTION: How many of you have had a driver education course? I know that those who attended driver’s education were taught, in some form or fashion, the ten rules of the road we’re going to discuss. These rules are very basic and common sense oriented. It’s good for all of us to be reminded of them from time to time, since most fender-benders and major accidents occur because some driver did not obey one of the basic rules. Heeding these rules may save your life or that of someone close to you. It may also save you the expense of auto repairs, traffic fines, and increased insurance premiums associated with traffic fines and accidents.
B. OVERVIEW: The purpose of this lesson is to impart to each midshipman a thorough understanding of the ten rules of the road. The Navy and Marine Corps lose many good Sailors and Marines each year due to automobile crashes and related injuries and fatalities. As a future leader of Sailors and Marines, it is important for you to know and remind others of the dangers inherent to driving a motor vehicle.
C. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Review the learning objective for this lesson.
D. METHOD/MEDIA: This lesson will be taught using the lecture method, aided by the use of various slides.
TRANSITION: Are there any questions about the subject we will be covering today or how we will accomplish our task? If not, let’s begin our discussion about traffic rules.
VII. PRESENTATION
(Off Slide #1, On Slide #2)
A. The Ten Traffic Safety Rules of the Road
1. Always allow extra travel time. As the roads become more crowded and our lives become more hectic, we need to plan more travel time into our schedule. Most people tend to speed or drive more recklessly (run yellow lights, weave in and out of traffic) when they feel they are late for an appointment, etc. Plan ahead and take the extra time to get to your destination safely.
(Off Slide #2, On Slide #3)
2. Always maintain a safe distance. A safe distance depends upon a variety of factors: Weather, road conditions, time of day, speed limit, etc. In general, you should maintain one car-length between you and the car in front of you for every 10 mph of speed. Honestly evaluate your driving habits. Are you easily distracted while driving? If so, ensure you maintain additional distance. Finally, not maintaining safe distances between yourself and other vehicles invites “road rage” incidents. Don’t give any other driver on the road a reason to harass you because you failed to maintain appropriate distance.
(Off Slide #3, On Slide #4)
3. Always signal your intentions to other drivers when turning or changing lanes. Too many drivers fail to signal turns and lane changes, inviting accidents and potential “road rage” incidents. Develop and maintain the habit of signaling your intentions. Ensure you also do a head-check and mirror check before changing lanes.
(Off Slide #4, On Slide #5)
4. Always come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs. This is self-explanatory. Don’t break the law and assume your situational awareness is sound. We’ve all had a near miss experience while driving, asking ourselves, “Where did he/she come from?”
(Off Slide #5, On Slide #6)
5. Let other drivers merge with you. Like many other facets of our lives, we follow generally accepted practices of courtesy (opening or holding doors for others, etc.). Allowing others to merge onto the highway with us is not only courteous, it is potentially an accident-saving gesture. As with other rules of the road, we’ve all had an instance we can recall when someone did not allow us to merge onto the highway. Be courteous and professional.
(Off Slide #6, On Slide #7)
6. Obey posted speed limits. This will save your life. Excess speed is a factor in most automobile accidents. These accidents cause serious injury and death, not to mention the monetary costs to settle lawsuits, claims, make vehicle repairs, and the related rise in insurance rates. Pay attention to and heed speed limits, especially aboard military installations. You set the example as a leader. As such, you cannot credibly discuss vehicle safety and adherence to speed limits if your Sailors or Marines see you consistently violating posted speed limits.
(Off Slide #7, On Slide #8)
7. Concentrate on your driving, NOT on your cell phone, stereo, passengers, or other distractions.
(Off Slide #8, On Slide #9)
8. Use your horn sparingly, only to remind other drivers of your presence. Don’t be an idiot with your horn. You only cause other drivers to become distracted if you use your horn to take out aggression. You also invite potential trouble from other drivers who take exception to unneeded horn use.
(Off Slide #9, On Slide #10)
9. Never engage in inappropriate behavior such as making faces or rude or obscene gestures. Unprofessional conduct exhibited by you is uncalled for. If you are on the receiving end of such conduct by other drivers, simply continue on your way to your destination. Nobody ever wins in any situation when this behavior is exhibited, especially the naval officer.
(Off Slide #10, On Slide #11)
10. Extend common courtesy to other drivers at all times. This golden rule will keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safe when you are driving an automobile. If you are a courteous driver, you are following all the safe rules of driving.
B. By following these ten basic rules, you will be a safe driver.
TRANSITION: Let’s take a few moments to review what we’ve learned by answering a few questions.
VIII. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
A. Name the ten traffic safety rules of the road.
Answer: (Refer to above list.)
B. How many car lengths between cars is considered a safe distance when driving?
Answer: In general, you should maintain one car-length between you and the car in front of you for every 10 mph of speed.
(Off Slide #11, On Slide #12)
IX. SUMMARY
During this period of instruction, we have learned the ten rules of the road. Use common courtesy when driving, and you will save yourself and others a lot of potential heartache in the future. These simple rules, which are under our complete control, are simple to follow and simple to execute. Learn them, follow them, and impart them to others.
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