Teen drivers are the most crash-prone drivers on the road. The combination of inexperience, failure to

Transcription

1 LESSON 7.1 TEEN DRIVING: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS 13 page student lesson - 1 of 13 Teen drivers are the most crash-prone drivers on the road. The combination of inexperience, failure to recognize dangerous road conditions, failure to use seat belts, failure to respect speed limits, and most importantly the possibility of driving while impaired or distracted all add up to making driving (and being the passenger of a teen driver) the most hazardous part of teen life. Teens need to be concerned and careful about their safety every time they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Teens also need to be concerned, alert and careful passengers when others are driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), young drivers are more vulnerable to death and injury from motor vehicle accidents than any other age group. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America. Mile for mile, teenagers are involved 5000 in three times as many fatal crashes 4000 as all other drivers. A crash does not have to be fatal to irrevocably alter someone s life. Thousand of teens are critically injured each year, many with lasting repercussions to the teenagers and their families. Each year, more than 5,000 teens (ages 16 to 20) die and more than 400,000 teens are seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents. The NHTSA provides the following statistics on youth traffic safety: Fatalities Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. Each year, more than 5,000 teens (ages 16 to 20) die in passenger vehicle crashes National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) During 2006, a teen died in a traffic crash an average of once every hour on weekends and nearly once every two hours during the week. Nationally in 2006, 25% of the young drivers ages 15 to 20 who were killed in crashes had blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of 0.08% or higher at the time of the crash. Nationally in 2006, 4,842 teen passengers, ages 16 to 20, were killed in motor vehicle crashes and 58% (2,813) were unrestrained at the time of the fatal crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), teenage drivers and passengers are among those least likely to wear their seat belts. While all teens are at a high risk of experiencing a fatal crash, young males, pickup truck drivers and their passengers, as well as people living in rural areas, are among those least likely to buckle up

2 LESSON 7.1 TEEN DRIVING: LOWERING THE RISKS 2 of 13 Teen drivers can lower their risk of injury or fatality on the road. Use these rules of the road to drive smart and arrive safely. Absolutely no drinking alcohol and driving. Always use a seat belt and insist that your passengers use their seat belts. Slow down! Always respect the posted speed limits. Follow the rules of the road. No phone calls or texting while behind the wheel. Be aware of road conditions and hazards. Practice defensive driving always be on the lookout for what other drivers and pedestrians are doing. Pay attention to road signs; they often warn of dangers ahead. Be ready to react to protect yourself and your passengers. Limit the number of passengers in your car. Seat Belts Save Lives! Seat belts are utterly essential to auto safety. Whether you are a driver or a passenger, wearing a seat belt can save your life. About 40,000 people die each year in car crashes. Seat belts have the potential to prevent about half of these deaths. Seat belts work by stopping you from moving forward. When the front of your car strikes an object, it immediately stops but unless you are wearing a seat belt, you will keep moving until you hit something, whether it is the steering wheel or the windshield. If you are wearing a seat belt, you slow down considerably, reducing the impact and the resultant damage. For a seat belt to work, you have to wear it correctly. The seat belt should be worn with both straps closely fitted to distribute the impact of the collision across sturdy parts of your body. If only a part of the seat belt is on, you can still easily slide out and become tangled, which can lead to further complications. If just the lap belt is on, your face is unprotected

3 LESSON 7.1 DRUNK DRIVING 3 of 13 In most states, drunk driving or driving while intoxicated (DWI) means that the driver has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. The police use a device called a breathalyzer to measure a driver s BAC. A blood test can also be administered. How much alcohol does it take to reach a BAC of 0.08% or higher? Consider this: 2 beers consumed in 20 minutes are enough to make a 140 pound adult too drunk to drive legally. Keep in mind that it takes 2 to 4 hours for the body to metabolize the alcohol in 2 beers and return BAC levels to zero. Degrees of Intoxication BAC Level (%) * Number of Drinks Consumed in 1 hour ** Feelings and Behaviors 0.01%-0.04% 1 drink 0.04%-0.08% 2 drinks 0.08%-0.10% 2 to 3 drinks 0.10%-0.15% 3 to 4 drinks Usually no apparent changes in behavior are noted. Relaxation with minor impairment of judgment and memory. Walking, talking and hand movements become clumsier. Slows the person s ability to react. Speech, judgment and balance are affected. Blurred vision. Slower reaction time. Considered to be drunk driving in most states. Judgment, memory and self-control are further affected. Irresponsible behavior is evident. There is a decrease in the sense of pain. Speech, hearing and balance altered. 0.15%-0.20% 4 to 6 drinks Behavior is greatly affected. Lack of motor control; mental confusion. 0.20%-0.30% 7 to 9 drinks Unable to perform tasks. Confused or dazed state. Unconsciousness may occur. All physical and mental abilities are severely impaired. Above 0.30% 0.40%-0.50% 10 drinks or more 10 drinks or more Unconscious. Coma and death are possible. Breathing stops. Irreversible brain damage occurs. Death is likely. * based on a 140-pound body weight ** 1 drink = 1 beer = 1 glass of wine = 1 shot of hard liquor (approximately 5 fluid ounces of alcohol by volume) 7.1-7

4 LESSON 7.1 ZERO TOLERANCE AND TEEN DRIVERS 4 of 13 T Quick Notes drunk driving driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more zero tolerance law the only legal BAC level acceptable for drivers wenty-five percent of young drivers killed on the road have a BAC over the legal limit for adults 0.08% or higher. Statistics show that drinking and driving are a lethal combination for teens. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy, possess or drink alcohol. This is why every state in the U.S. has enacted zero tolerance laws. These laws make it illegal for teens to get behind the wheel with any measurable amount of alcohol in their systems. A teen convicted of violating zero tolerance laws will face civil and even criminal penalties, depending on the BAC level. Punishment includes license suspension, license revocation, fines and even incarceration. In addition, many jurisdictions are enacting and strictly enforcing vehicular manslaughter laws to prosecute anyone who causes a death in a drunk driving accident. Some states have even begun to apply homicide laws to the most egregious drunk driving cases. under 21 is 0.00% The simple lesson for teen drivers is: DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. The simple lesson for teen passengers is: DO NOT RIDE WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DRINKING. If you are not certain about your driver s condition, do not take a chance. Find a safer way to get where you need to go. If you are in a car and the driver is speeding, driving erratically or dangerously, ask him or her to stop and let you out in a safe place. Use your cell phone to call 911. in m ot or ve hi cle 3 De at h ra te of tethenans 5, 00 0 ev er y ye ar. cr as he s -m or e of te en s in m ot or te ra ry ju in s ou ri Se 3 e th an 40 0, 00 0 ve hi cle cr as he s -m or ev er y ye ar. in th re e ti m es as ed lv vo in e ar rs ge na 3 T ee al l ot he r dr iv er s. as s he as cr l ta fa y m an. liv es - al w ay s us e th em ve sa s lt be at Se

5 LESSON 7.1 WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? 5 of 13 For teens, driving after drinking any amount of alcohol is illegal and hazardous. Be aware: many teens believe their driving abilities improve with alcohol use. This is absolutely wrong! All essential safe driving skills are adversely impacted by alcohol: reaction time slows and impairs the ability to see, focus and make good, quick decisions. If a Friend Is Drunk and Planning to Drive If someone you know has been drinking and wants to get behind the wheel, take away his or her keys and arrange alternate transportation. Ask a responsible adult for help. Call 911 if necessary. There is no situation where teens with any amount of alcohol in their systems should be allowed to drive. If a Parent or Other Adult Is Drunk and Planning to Drive If possible, contact another responsible adult and explain the problem before you get in the car. Take away the keys, if possible. Call 911 and ask for help if the drunk person insists on driving. If You are Forced to Ride with an Impaired Driver Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has developed these tips to help passengers who are forced to ride with an impaired driver: Facts about Sobering Up Sit in the middle of the back seat. Place your belongings on the floor. Always buckle your seat belt. Do not bother or distract the driver. Stay quiet. Tell a trusted adult immediately about any unsafe ride. There are no quick fixes for sobering up. None of these will help sober up a person who is under the influence of alcohol: 3 drinking coffee 3 taking a cold shower 3 exercising 3 eating 3 vomiting The only remedy is time. You must wait to sober up. It takes the body two hours to process the alcohol contained in one drink

6 LESSON 7.1 WHAT IS DRUGGED DRIVING? 6 of 13 Quick Notes drugged driving driving while impaired by legal or illegal drugs marijuana the most prevalent illegal drug detected in fatal teen crashes Driving while high from marijuana or other illicit drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs is called drugged driving and it is just as lethal and illegal as drunk driving. In addition, seemingly harmless medications can interact with each other in unforeseen ways to impair driving. Many prescription drugs come with warnings against using machinery while taking the medication. Here are some different kinds of drugs that can negatively affect a person s safe driving ability: Stimulants (examples: cocaine, methamphetamine) Stimulants can give you a dangerously false sense of well-being, leading to poor and risky decisions. As the drug wears off, the body begins to suffer from a severe fatigue that inhibits driving. Prescription Drugs (examples: OxyContin, painkillers) Many prescription drugs have effects that can impair driving. In addition, prescription drugs can interact with other prescription and over-the-counter drugs to produce results that can range from irritating to deadly. Marijuana Marijuana use interferes with a driver s coordination, concentration, attentiveness and reaction time. These effects can persist up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana. Research indicates that marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers and motor vehicle crash victims. Hallucinogens (examples: LSD, ecstasy) Hallucinogens distort perception of time and space and may cause hallucinations that may lead to unpredictable and unsafe driving. Over-the-Counter Drugs (examples: cold medicine, allergy medicine) Many over-the-counter drugs cause drowsiness, which can impair driving ability. Always make sure to read the label and be aware of any potential interactions with other drugs. Never take two different drugs at the same time unless approved by a physician. Note: Taking drugs with opposite tendencies (such as a stimulant and a depressant) will not cancel out the effects of each drug. The interaction often produces unforeseen results, and can worsen the dangerous side effects of the drugs

7 LESSON 7.1 WHAT IS DROWSY DRIVING? 7 of 13 Quick Notes drowsy driving an unsafe form of driving that results from not being adequately alert or awake; it is similar to drunk driving because the body cannot react normally Few teens are aware of the dangers of drowsy driving. Often young drivers ignore just how tired they are and continue driving but even short distances can have fatal results. Many teens are chronically sleep deprived early morning classes, after-school work and activities, late study sessions, all-nighters, late parties all add up to millions of dangerously tired teens. Fatigue is a factor in 100,000 teen crashes every year. Driving drowsy is equivalent to driving drunk. Reaction time, reflexes, judgment and awareness drastically slow down. micro sleep a state of consciousness in which the eyes are still open but the brain is falling asleep At high levels of fatigue, micro sleep occurs. The driver s eyes stay open but the brain is falling asleep. In this state, the driver cannot react to ordinary road conditions. Falling asleep at the wheel can occur in seconds with catastrophic results. Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Teens The consequences of chronic sleep deprivation extend beyond feeling groggy. Here s what it does to the body: reduces the ability to concentrate impairs quick decision-making skills impairs coordination and slows reaction time increases aggression and irritation slows reflexes Continued on the next page

8 LESSON 7.1 WHAT IS DROWSY DRIVING? CONTINUED 8 of 13 Avoiding Drowsy Driving Accidents There are basic precautions you can take to avoid a drowsy driving accident. Most important of all, get a good night s sleep, especially before a long drive. There is no substitute for being well rested and physically alert. Another precaution is to bring a friend along to share driving duties. Taking breaks can aid your ability to drive safely and a friend can help make sure you stay alert. If you are on a long trip, stop and take breaks every two hours. Pull over to a rest stop, get out of the car and walk around. If you are driving alone, be alert for warning signs. Difficulty focusing, yawning, nodding and drifting out of the lane are signs that you are too tired to drive and should pull over in a safe area. Long, monotonous stretches of roadway are particularly hazardous for drowsy drivers. If you feel you must continue driving, drink some coffee, then take a 20-minute nap. It will take the caffeine about 30 minutes to kick in, so you should be more alert when you wake up. Many drowsy driving accidents happen to teens within a mile or two of home. Don t make the mistake of thinking that a short trip will be manageable even if you are extremely tired. Call for a ride. Tips for Getting a Good Night s Sleep 3 avoid taking naps late in the day 3 stop consuming caffeine and nicotine by early afternoon 3 stick to a regular schedule 3 do something relaxing for an hour or so before bedtime 3 make sure your bedroom is a good sleeping environment

9 LESSON 7.1 DRIVING AND CELL PHONE DANGER 9 of 13 D rivers between the ages of 16 to 21 are four times more likely to be involved in a distraction-related crash than any other age group. Dialing, texting, talking and even using a hands-free cell phone can divert the driver s concentration, attention, vision and hands from the task of driving. Because cell phones are so omnipresent in everyday life, it is easy to use them almost constantly without thinking about the deadly consequences. More and more states are enacting laws that prohibit cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle. Consider these statistics: l Cell phone use is by far the most common cause of distracted-driving crashes. l A 2007 survey of 1,200 drivers found that 73% used cell phones while driving. The same survey found that 19% of drivers admitted to text messaging while driving. l Cell phone use among drivers is highest among young people. l As of May 2009, six states have laws banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Nearly 20 states have laws pertaining specifically to cell phone use by young drivers. l In a recent study, it was shown that drivers are eight times more likely to crash while texting D id Y o u K n o w? E v id e n ce su g g e st s t h at u si n g a ce ll p h o n e w h ile d ri v in g co n st it u t e s as m u ch o f a d an g e r as d ri v in g w h ile d ru n k, even w h e n u si n g h an d s- f re e d e v ic e s.

10 LESSON 7.1 DEFENSIVE DRIVING SAVES LIVES 10 of 13 Quick Notes defensive driving a method of driving that attempts to minimize accidents and anticipate dangerous situations on the road road rage dangerously aggressive driving Though many things can go wrong while driving, there are some basic driving procedures and precautions you can take to make sure that you are as safe as possible. Defensive driving means being alert to what other drivers are doing around you, being aware of road conditions and following the speed limit. It also means keeping your car in safe condition, checking tire pressure often and following a regular maintenance schedule. Here are some safety tips that help to reduce accidents and increase safety on the road: Make sure that everyone in the car wears a seat belt and the doors are locked. Check the mirrors every few seconds. Pay attention to what is happening all around you, not just directly in front of you. Look down the road as well, to be aware of what you will be approaching. Do not tailgate. Keep pace with the general traffic. Driving significantly slower or faster increases your risk of an accident. Never drive aggressively. Stay calm on the road. Do not react impulsively or emotionally. Respect drivers who have the right-of-way. When in doubt about right-of-way, let the other driver go first. If an oncoming car drives into your lane, pull over immediately, honk your horn and flash your lights. Report any erratic or suspicious driver to the police as soon as possible. Continued on the next page

11 LESSON 7.1 DEFENSIVE DRIVING SAVES LIVES CONTINUED 11 of 13 Keep a Safe Distance Follow the 3-second rule: Always stay at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you, to give yourself time to react. Choose a landmark on the side of the road and make sure 3 seconds have passed between the time the car in front of you passes the landmark and you pass it. Or use the car-length rule: For each 10 mph of speed, keep your car a full car length behind the vehicle in front of you. For example, when traveling at 60 mph, the safe distance between vehicles is 6 car lengths. That is the distance required to stop a car traveling 60 mph. Road Rage Road rage is a term that generally refers to acts of extreme aggression between drivers. Examples of road rage range from yelling at another driver to physical assault. Avoid succumbing to road rage. Do not assume that others are being aggressive toward you and try to stay calm and think before you take any actions. If another driver is annoying you, try not to react or make eye contact. Make sure to keep your doors locked if you are stuck in traffic. If someone attempts to get into your car, honk your horn to attract attention. Above all, do not let yourself be drawn into a fight

12 LESSON 7.1 STUDY POINTS 12 of 13 Note to self... STUDY this! 1. Drunk driving, impaired driving, drowsy driving and distracted driving are dangers to teen drivers and others on the road. 2. Drinking alcohol and driving is a lethal combination and illegal for teenagers under zero tolerance laws. 3. Many over-the-counter drugs have side effects that can negatively influence your driving ability and can interact with other drugs in ways that are dangerous both to you and others on the road. 4. For people under 21, all states now have zero tolerance laws that means it is illegal for those under 21 to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. 5. Sleep deprivation can reduce one s ability to pay attention, impair judgment and coordination, slow reaction time, increase aggression and interfere with concentration and problem solving. 6. Avoid the dangers of drowsy driving. If you feel as though you are too tired to continue driving, you should pull over to the side of the road and take a 20-minute nap. Have a cup of coffee before your nap so that when you wake up, the caffeine will be working in your system. 7. Defensive driving driving cautiously and safely, as though the other drivers on the road might make a mistake lessens the likelihood of an accident. 8. Using cell phones, texting and other driving distractions are risky and illegal. Continued on the next page

13 LESSON 7.1 STUDY POINTS CONTINUED 13 of 13 Note to self... STUDY this! 9. Marijuana is the most common illegal drug contributing to traffic accidents. 10. Wearing a seat belt is fundamental to driver and passenger safety. 11. The 3-second rule means keeping a minimum of 3 seconds between you and the car in front of you. Use a landmark on the side of the road to gauge the time between the car in front and you End of Lesson 7.1

14 LESSON 7.1 NOTES