TRAFFIC SAFETY
- Do the following:
- Make a scrapbook containing 10 newspaper articles about serious
traffic crashes. Prepare a summary table of facts in the articles
indicating the number of people injured, the number killed, type of
crash (single vehicle, head-on collision, etc.) , time of occurrence,
age of the driver, whether alcohol or drugs were involved, use of safety
belts, and other factors that were reported to have contributed to the
crash (weather conditions, fatigue, construction, etc.). Discuss how
these crashes could have been prevented.
- Describe how alcohol affects the human body and why this is a
problem for safely driving a motor vehicle. Research the legal blood
alcohol concentration in your state and the consequences of driving
while intoxicated.
- Describe at least four factors to be considered when an engineer
designs a road or highway. Explain how roadside hazards and road
conditions contribute to the occurrence and seriousness of traffic
crashes.
- Explain why a driver who is fatigued should not operate a motor
vehicle. Describe how volunteer drivers can plan to be alert when
transporting Scouting participants.
- Do the following:
- Identify the different types of occupant restraint systems used in
motor vehicles. Describe how they work and their purpose for safety.
Demonstrate how to properly wear lap and shoulder belts. Explain why it
is important for drivers and passengers to wear safety belts at all
times.
- List five safety features found in motor vehicles besides occupant
restraint systems. Describe each feature, how each works, and how each
contributes to safety.
- Do the following to show your knowledge of car care for safety
maintenance:
- Using your family car or another vehicle, demonstrate that all
lights and lighting systems in the vehicle are working. Describe the
function and explain why each type of light is important to safe
driving.
- Using your family car or another vehicle, demonstrate how to check
tire pressure and identify the correct tire pressure for the vehicle.
Explain why proper tire pressure is important to safe driving.
- Demonstrate a method to check for adequate tire tread. Explain why
proper tread is important to safe driving.
- Demonstrate with a smear-and-clear test if the windshield blades
will clear the windshield completely or need to be replaced. Describe
instances in good and bad weather when windshield washers are important
to safe driving.
- Do the following:
- In a location away from traffic hazards, measure with a tape
measure -- not in a car -- and mark off with stakes the distance that a
car will travel during the time needed for decision and reaction, and
the braking distance necessary to stop a car traveling 30, 50, and 70
miles an hour on dry, level pavement. Discuss how environmental factors
such as bad weather and road conditions will affect the distance.
- Demonstrate the difference in nighttime visibility between a
properly lit bicycle and rider (or a pedestrian) wearing reflective
material and a bicycle and rider with no lights (or a pedestrian)
dressed in dark clothing, without reflective material.
- Make a chart of standard traffic signs. Explain how color and shape
are used to help road users recognize and understand the information
presented. Explain the purpose of different types of signs, signals, and
pavement markings.
- Describe at least three examples of traffic laws that apply to
drivers of motor vehicles and that bicyclists must also obey.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Interview a traffic law enforcement officer in your community to
identify what three traffic safety problems the officer is most
concerned about. Discuss with your merit badge counselor possible ways
to solve one of those problems.
- Initiate and organize an activity to demonstrate the importance of
traffic safety. Activities could include making a traffic safety
presentation before a school assembly, to classes of younger students,
or to another large group of people; having a staged demonstration of
the consequences of a crash, working with the police or paramedics;
organizing a presentation to the students of your school by an emergency
room doctor and/or nurse to describe their experiences with motor
vehicle crash victims; organizing a clinic to demonstrate safe bicycle
riding and helmet use.
- Accompanied by an adult, pick a safe place to observe traffic at a
controlled intersection (traffic signal or stop sign) and survey (1)
such violations as running a red light or stop sign; or (2) seat belt
usage. Count the number of violations or number of drivers not wearing a
seat belt. Record in general terms if the driver was young/old,
male/female. Discuss the findings with your merit badge counselor.
- Based on what you have learned so far, develop a checklist for a
safe trip. Share the checklist with your merit badge counselor, and use
the checklist whenever your family makes a vehicle trip. Include on the
list the responsibilities of the driver and the passengers for before
and during the trip.
BSA Advancement ID#: 112
Source: Boy Scout Requirements, #33215E, revised 2002
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