MVA material. Clearer learning. Current-law companion.

Driver Improvement Program

Driver Improvement Program Choose to be Safe. Every Trip. Every Time.

Talking Points and Discussion

Title slide for the program 1

What Were You Doing Between 6:00 am – 9:00 am? During the morning rush hours, you probably got up, brushed your teeth, got ready for work or school, and grabbed some breakfast, and drove to work or school.

Talking Points and Discussion:

The next few slides are designed to get students to think about the cost of taking driving for granted. While they are getting ready for work every morning and driving to work or school, there are hundreds of accidents, injuries and fatalities. These crashes cost American society billions of dollars annually in terms of property damage, injuries and lost work.

For additional information and statistics about the costs of traffic crashes in America:

Information about the release of a 2014 study by NHTSA detailing the $871 billion dollar cost of traffic crashes : http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/motor-vehicle-crashes-u-s-cost-871-billion-year-federal-study-finds/

State specific information about crashes from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/statecosts/index.html

Information about traffic statistics for 2016: http://fortune.com/2017/02/15/traffic-deadliest-year/

Additional information about crashes can be found on the NHTSA website. 2

Every Morning Rush Hour, On Average, Drivers

Kill 16 people.

Cause 1,500 serious crashes.

Cost themselves & other drivers $ 27,000,000.

Talking Points and Discussion Please note: Each of these three blocks will come up automatically in sequence.

The idea of this slide is to contrast what most people experience on a average morning: getting up, going to work, having an ordinary day with the life-changing possibility of having a serious crash, destroying their vehicle, or seriously injuring themselves or the people around them.

It is also to highlight the huge number of crashes and the significant cost of those crashes. Car crashes cost America more than $800 billion dollars annually in a combination of property damage, lost wages, and medical costs.

Additional Facts and Resources for Traffic Fatality Stats:

Comprehensive look at 2015 traffic stats from National Highway Transportation Safety Administration: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812412

Preliminary look at traffic statistics for 2016: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812332

Report on the economic costs of traffic crashes: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812013

In 2010 the total economic cost of motor vehicle crashes in the United States was $242 billion. This represents the present value of lifetime economic costs for 32,999 fatalities, 3.9 million non-fatal injuries, and 24 million damaged vehicles. These figures include both police-reported and unreported crashes. When quality-of-life valuations are considered, the total value of societal harm from motor vehicle crashes in 2010 was $836 billion. 3

What Were You Doing Between 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm? You may have been finishing your day, getting ready to go home, or picking up family from school or work.

Talking Points and Discussion:

The next few slides are designed to get students to think about the cost of taking driving for granted. While they are getting ready for work every morning and driving to work or school, there are hundreds of accidents, injuries and fatalities. These crashes cost American society billions of dollars annually in terms of property damage, injuries and lost work.

For additional information and statistics about the costs of traffic crashes in America:

Information about the release of a 2014 study by NHTSA detailing the $871 billion dollar cost of traffic crashes : http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/motor-vehicle-crashes-u-s-cost-871-billion-year-federal-study-finds/

State specific information about crashes from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/statecosts/index.html

Information about traffic statistics for 2016: http://fortune.com/2017/02/15/traffic-deadliest-year/

Additional information about crashes can be found on the NHTSA website.

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Every Evening Rush Hour, On Average, Drivers

Cost themselves & other drivers $ 27,000,000.

Cause 1,500 serious crashes.

Kill 16 people.

Talking Points and Discussion

The idea of this slide is to contrast what most people experience on a average morning: getting up, going to work, having an ordinary day with the life-changing possibility of having a serious crash, destroying their vehicle, or seriously injuring themselves or the people around them.

It is also to highlight the huge number of crashes and the significant cost of those crashes. Car crashes cost America more than $800 billion dollars annually in a combination of property damage, lost wages, and medical costs.

Additional Facts and Resources for Traffic Fatality Stats:

Comprehensive look at 2015 traffic stats from National Highway Transportation Safety Administration: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812412

Comprehensive look at 2016 traffic stats from National Highway Transportation Safety Administration: https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/usdot-releases-2016-fatal-traffic-crash-data

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Choose to be safe. Every time. Every trip.

100 people, On Average, die every day in crashes across the United States.

Talking Points and Discussion

Because of the uptick in fatalities in 2014 – 2016, the number of annual fatalities has increased.

The point of this class is to get participants to choose to drive safely and to choose not to become one of the hundreds of thousands of people who are injured every year and one of the tens of thousands of people who are killed.

The following link will get you to an article by the National Safety Council that describes the fatalities and increase in fatality rates from 2013 – 2016. As described in the article, the National Safety Council figures fatalities from traffic crashes differently NHTSA. The National Safety Council adds any fatality that occurs within a year of a crash whereas NHTSA only counts fatalities that occur within 30 days of a crash.

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Why Am I Here? You have accumulated 5 points or more under the Maryland points system, or You have received a moving violation conviction while holding a provisional license or learner’s permit, or You may have been ordered to attend by the court system & If you fail to complete this class, you will lose your DRIVING PRIVILEGE TEMPORARILY, BUT If you don’t change the way you are driving…

Talking Points and Discussion:

Students may be attending this class for a variety of reasons:

They have accumulated 5, 6, or 7 points. They may be court ordered to attend the program as part of a plea arrangement. They may have been convicted of a more serious driving offense like DWI or DUI and must complete this class before being allowed to drive again. They have received a conviction or a probation before judgement for a moving violation while holding a provisional or learner’s instructional permit.

Please note that a driver generally has 30 days to complete the DIP program or his/her license will be suspended. It is especially important to make sure that all information from the student is correctly and promptly entered into the MVA system because of the possibility of suspension. 7

YOU MAY KILL SOMEONE.

Talking Points and Discussion:

While much of this class will focus on legality and how to drive legally, it is also important to stress some other reasons to drive safely.

The rate of fatalities and injuries have been increasing for the last three years. In 2016, there 522 traffic fatalities on Maryland roads. This represents a more than 20% increase from 2014. In addition to the fatalities, there have also been a significant increase in serious injuries (any injury that requires a person be transported to a hospital) Not included in this information is the cost in terms of lost wages, medical bills, and damaged personal property.

Exercise: Before the class gets started, have each participant write down three things he/she does as a driver that are dangerous and why those things are dangerous. ‘After determining why an action is dangerous, then please have the driver determine what actions he/she might take to correct the action.

For example: If a driver indicates that he/she routinely speeds, he/she might indicate that speeding presents a hazard because he/she may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting a person/pet. He/she can correct that action by simply slowing down. 8

Objectives For Driver Improvement Program Define points and laws pertaining to your driving record. Describe unsafe or hazardous driving behaviors. Define safe driving. Evaluate your own driving habits to see how you can improve. Choose to be safe, every time, every trip.

Talking Points and Discussion

This slide is designed to give students an overview of the material that will be taught. Please do not over teach this slide.

It is important to stress that every driver has a choice to make about how he/she will drive. 9

Your Maryland Driving Record

What is my Maryland driving record?

What does my Maryland driving record mean?

Why is it important? Are You Here Because of Points on Your Record?

Talking Points and Discussion

This slide introduces the section of the class that deals with Maryland driving records, suspensions, and revocations. 10

What Is My Driving Record? Your driving record is a list of everything you have done when driving: Any convictions, Any suspensions, Any DUI/DWI related offenses including refusal to submit a sobriety test, Any revocations, and A list of all points you have accumulated through convictions.

Talking Points and Discussion:

A driving record continues a list of all of a driver’s offenses. There are actually two types of records: a public version that can be accessed by insurance companies, employers, and credit agencies. The public record goes back three years and is available for numerous private entities like employers and insurance companies to view.

Law enforcement, judges, and the MDOT MVA can see a driver’s full record which goes back since the driver actually began driving.

The full record is only visible to law enforcement and the judicial systems.

Anything that is expunged will not be visible to any entity, public or private. (please see bottom of page for additional information about expunging of driving records. Those

Alcohol charges, for example, may not ever be expunged from a driver’s record. Once the charges are more than three years, they will not be visible immediately to private entities; however, they will be visible if someone conducts a complete record search.

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What Are Points? Points are the MDOT MVA’s way of keeping track of your driving offenses and indicating how severe your offense is. For example: Speeding 1-9 mph over the limit 1 points Speeding 10 mph or more over the limit 2 points Following too closely for conditions 2 points Failing to stop for a school bus w/ flashing red lights 3 points Speeding by 20 mph or more in a posted 65 zone 5 points For additional information about points, please go to the MDOT MVA website.

Talking Points and Discussion:

A complete list of offenses and the points assigned to those offenses can be found at mva.maryland.gov.

The number of points assigned to a particular offense is determined by the state legislature and enforced by the court system. The MVA simply keeps of the points assigned.

Class discussion: You may wish to discuss with the class why they believe that different offenses have different point totals. It may also be helpful to ask them if they think the point totals attached to each offense are appropriate.

For additional information about points and point accumulation: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/info/26100/26100-02T.htm

A complete list of all citations that can be given and the points associated with those citations may also be found on that page. Included on the pdf a driver can access is a list of all fines associated with a particular offense. 12

How Do I Accumulate Points? After you are convicted of a traffic offense in court or mail in the fine, points are added to your driving record.

If you receive several tickets at the same time, you will only Receive the points for the most severe offense, BUT…..all convictions will be on your record.

Talking Points and Discussion:

A driver does not get assigned points when given a citation, even in a DUI case.

He/she will have the opportunity to go to court and to prove innocence or guilt. After the court date, then points will be assigned.

If a driver mails in the fine and does not go to court, it is the same as pleading guilty to the offense, and the points will be placed on a driver’s record.

If a driver receives several citations at the same time, he/she will only be charged with the most serious offense.

Students may ask if points can be removed or erased from their records following successful completion of the DIP program. Unlike programs in other states, points cannot be removed from a driver’s records after completion of DIP class. Points come off a driver’s record two years after conviction. 13

Why do points matter?

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide takes a driver step – by –step through the steps and the penalties involved in getting points on their driving record.

After being convicted, points are added. AT three points, a driver will receive a warning from the MDOT/MVA. At 5 points, a driver will be required to attend DIP or risk suspension for failing to attend the class. At 8 points, a driver’s license will be suspended and he/she will have to complete a suspension period before being allowed to drive again. At 12 points, a driver’s license will be revoked. After a license is revoked, a driver will have to attend classes, participate in treatment, and pay additional fees to get his/her license back. There is also no guarantee that a driver will get his/her license back.

Please note: Penalties for new drivers (with learner’s permits or provisional licenses) may have far more sever penalties. New drivers who receive suspensions or revocations may be ineligible to receive a license until they turn 21. 14

Committing traffic offenses

Convicted in court or mail in fine

Points placed on record

8 points Suspension

12 points Revocation

3 points Warning

5 - 7 points Driver Improvement

What If My License Is Suspended?

Talking Points and Discussion : When a driver is suspended for receiving between 8 – 11 points on his/her license, there are two choices.

The first choice is to accept the suspension,

If a driver chooses to accept the suspension, it is critical that his/her license is returned as soon as possible. No credit will be given towards suspension time until a driver turns in his/her driver’s license or gives a statement to the MVA indicating that the license has been lost.

Very Important: Stress to students that they may not drive when suspended for any reason. Doing so can lead to far more serious and long lasting charges.

If students have additional questions about their suspensions/revocations, please direct them to the MVA or to www.mva.maryland.gov

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Surrender your driver’s license to the MDOT MVA.

No time will be credited for suspension without the surrender of your license.

If you no longer have your license, you must make a statement explaining its loss or theft.

After completing the suspension period, you may return to driving.

What If My License Is Suspended & I Want A Hearing?

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide goes through the steps a driver must take his/her license is suspended and wishes to appeal his/her suspension with the Office of Administrative Hearings.

When a driver is suspended, he/she is usually given an Order of Suspension and a hearing request document. The hearing request document must be used to request a hearing from the Office of Administrative Hearings.

If a driver would like a hearing, it must be paid for when it is requested.

As with any other hearing in front of a judge, a driver may bring a lawyer if he/she would like, but it is not required.

A driver is required to follow any and all restrictions placed by the judge. Failure to follow those steps may result in additional penalties from both the Administrative Law Judge and from the criminal court system. 16

Complete and return the hearing request and the filing fee within 15 days of the notice date.

Once hearing request and fee have been received, suspension will be temporarily lifted until the hearing is completed.

The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), which conducts the suspension hearing, will notify you of its location, date, and time.

Attend the hearing with a lawyer if you would like to hire one.

Follow any and all of the restrictions imposed by the judge.

What If My License Has Been Suspended Or Revoked For Alcohol Related Offenses? You may be allowed to participate in Ignition Interlock, if eligible. You will be able to continue driving, but with restrictions. You will have to pay for any additional training or treatment. You will have to pay for ignition interlocks to be installed on your vehicle. You may be referred for additional evaluation, treatment, and ongoing monitoring of your driving.

Talking Points and Discussion:

If a driver has been suspended or revoked for alcohol related offenses including refusal to test, he/she may request diversion into the Ignition Interlock program. He/she may also be placed in the ignition interlock program as a result of a judge referral into the program.

A driver may also be placed under the supervision of Driver Wellness and Safety because alcohol abuse and drug abuse are both considered medically reportable conditions.

Being placed in the ignition interlock system will result in significant costs for the driver including: the cost to install the system the cost to monitor the system on a monthly basis the need to install the system in every vehicle to which a driver has access the cost to remove the system after the ignition interlock program has ended. 17

Revocation When you accumulate 12 points, you will be sent a letter of revocation.

You will be given 15 days to request a hearing and will have to pay court costs before you go.

Revocation terms can vary but minimums are: First revocation………Ineligible for 6 months Second revocation…. Ineligible for 12 months Third revocation……..Ineligible for 18 months Fourth revocation……Ineligible for 24 months

Credit towards completing your revocation does not begin until the MDOT MVA receives your license.

Before you get your license back, you will have to attend Driver Improvement and may also have to complete other educational or treatment programs.

You will also have to take your knowledge and skills test at the MDOT MVA before getting a new license.

Talking Points and Discussion: When you accumulate 12 points, you will be sent a letter of revocation. A driver may either accumulate twelve points through convictions for various offenses or by driving with a BAC or .08 or above.

You will be given 15 days to request a hearing. Information regarding requesting a hearing will be sent to a driver. The driver will need to pay for the hearing before the hearing is scheduled.

Revocation terms can vary but minimums are : First revocation………Ineligible for 6 months Second revocation….Ineligible for 12 months Third revocation……..Ineligible for 18 months Fourth revocation……Ineligible for 24 months The administrative law judge sets the terms for the revocation. The times listed above are minimums; an administrative law judge can add additional time based on the severity of the offense.

Credit towards completing your revocation does not begin until the MVA receives your license. If a driver has lost or had his/her license stolen, he/she will have to file an affidavit with the MVA to confirm that. Otherwise, the driver will not receive any credit at all for the suspension.

Before you get your license back, you will have to attend Driver Improvement and may also have to complete other educational or treatment programs. An administrative law judge can assign a driver to a wide range of educational and treatment based programs up to and including residential care, If the suspension/revocation is related to drugs or alcohol, a driver may also be referred to Driver Wellness and Safety. To end a revocation, a driver will have to prove that he/she is safe and able to drive.

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Does It Matter If My License Is Suspended Or Revoked? It is extremely expensive. You will have to pay fees, fines, higher insurances costs, higher transportation costs, and treatment program costs. Most of these will have to be paid before you will be allowed to drive again.

It is extremely inconvenient. You will have to use public transportation, friends, family members, or taxis to get places. You will have to take time off from work when you have to go to court or treatment programs or the MDOT MVA.

It is extremely permanent. Revocations and suspensions for any drug or alcohol related offenses including refusal to test cannot be expunged from your driving record. You may have forever barred yourself from jobs that require even casual driving.

SUSPENDED/REVOKED

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide discusses some of the consequences of having a license suspended or revoked.

Many of the same consequences also apply to receiving numerous citations with the attached points.

Before going through each question, an instructor may ask the class to discuss what are some of the ways a suspension or revocation can be costly. Additional Insurance Costs – If suspended or revoked, may be required to submit an SR22 filing

Program Costs – Potential program costs include additional training like DIP, Drug and Alcohol Education classes. If a suspension or revocation is drug or alcohol related, then both Administrative and Circuit Courts can order alcohol/drug treatment as a condition to hold a license.

Inconvenience – Need to secure other types of transportation on a daily basis for school, work, or social occasions.

Permanent – Revocations for drugs and alcohol cannot be expunged from a driver’s record. Points on a driving record may bar a driver from seeking employment in certain areas and may limit the ability to secure a Commercial Driver’s License for an extended period of time.

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Remember: If you do not turn in your license, you will not get any credit for your suspension or revocation. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Do NOT Drive if Your License is Suspended or Revoked. If you do, it can lead to far more serious charges.

Talking Points and Discussion:

It is critical to stress that students do not drive for any reason while suspended/revoked.

This is also an important time to remind students that if they do not turn in their licenses to the MVA, they will not receive any credit towards completion of their suspension time. So, if a driver is suspended for six months and fails to turn in a license for three months, he/she will actually be suspended for nine months.

Driving while suspended has two basic varieties depending on why the license was suspended.

The first, often called the “H” charge, carries 3 points, up to 60 days in jail, and a $500 fine. This form of driving suspended is often associated with failing to appear in court for a minor traffic ticket or failing to pay for a ticket.

The more serious variety, called a “C” charge, carries up to 12 points, up to a year in jail, and a $1,000 fine. This variety is often associated with points suspensions, child support noncompliance, or mandatory suspensions for drinking and driving related charges. For both the “H” and the “C” charges, the possible fines and possible jail time goes up with each prior offense.

Both driving with a suspended and driving with a revoked license may result in a driver being arrested.

For additional information about suspensions, go to http://www.mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/info/26100/26100-60T.htm

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Does A Suspension Or Revocation Matter? If I am revoked or suspended in Maryland, I can just go to another state and get a new license. NO!!!!! Most states participate in an interstate agreement that allows them to share information about your driving record, suspensions, DUI convictions, and revocations.

ONE DRIVING RECORD WHEREVER YOU GO!

Talking Points and Discussion:

There are several interstate agreements that allow states to share information about a driver’s record. No driver can ”escape” from suspensions or revocations by securing a driver license in another state. A driver generally has one record that follows him/her. Points for many traffic offenses are not transferable from one state to another, but information about the convictions will be available.

In the case of some serious offenses, a driver will have both the points and the offense on his/her Maryland record.

Points for DUI/DWI and crashes that involve fatalities are transferable and will show up on your Maryland driving record.

If a driver is suspended in another state for a serious offense, he/she may end up being suspended in Maryland.

Please note: Various systems are slated to come on line in the next 3 – 5 years that will allow states to share both driving records and vehicle records. These systems are still being developed and deployed. They will further limit a driver’s ability to secure a license in another state without extensive documentation and confirmation from the state where he/she currently has a license. 21

How will you get from place to place without your license? How will you get to work , school, or home?

Talking Points and Discussion:

Driving is important to get people to home, work, or other activities.

Exercise: Have students use their cellphones to determine a route from home to a place they usually go.

After picking a place they usually go, have them determine how long it would take for them to drive. Also determine how much that trip might cost. Have them determine how long /how much it might cost to take the safe route via Uber/Lyft. After determining how much the trip would cost via cab/Uber/Lyft, determine how much time/money it would cost to make the same trip on public transportation. 4) Then figure how long/how much if they simply drove themselves. 22

Can My Record Ever Be Clear? .

How do points get off my record? After two years, the points for most offenses will no longer be active on your record. The convictions will still be seen on your record by law enforcement and the court system. Once you choose to drive safely and continue to drive safely, your record may be erased. Remember! Certain types of convictions cannot be expunged. The points go away. The conviction is always on your record.

New rules about licenses being expunged were passed and went into effect on October 1, 2017.

For individuals who have never been suspended for reasons related to driver safety†, have never been revoked, and have no moving violations on their records: All eligible record entries will be expunged automatically within 31 days after the last conviction date.

For individuals who have never been suspended for reasons related to driver safety and have never been revoked, but who have moving violations on their records: All eligible record entries will be expunged automatically 3 years after the last moving violation conviction date.

For individuals who have been suspended only once for reasons related to driver safety† and have never been revoked: All eligible record entries will be expunged automatically 5 years after the last moving violation conviction date.

For individuals who have been suspended multiple times for reasons related to driver safety† or who have previously been revoked: All eligible record entries will be expunged automatically 10 years after the last moving violation conviction date, or grant of probation before judgment for a violation of § 20-102 or § 21-902.

For individuals holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL): All eligible record entries will be expunged in accordance with the above guidelines, as well as § 16-819 of the Transportation Article and Federal Motor Carrier expungement guidelines.

As set forth in COMAR 11.11.16, the following suspensions are not related to driver safety: Suspension of a minor’s license upon the death of the co-signer Failure to pay Child Support Outstanding arrest warrant Non-payment of a judgment Dispensing motor fuel into a dirt bike in Baltimore City Failure to appear on, failure to comply with, or failure to pay a citation Possession of alcohol by a minor Failure to pay for motor fuel Improper use of a driver’s license or ID card by a minor to obtain alcohol Rejection by Maryland Auto Insurance (formerly MAIF) / inability to obtain vehicle insurance

All other suspensions are related to driver safety. If an individual is suspended at the time his or her record becomes eligible for expungement, the expungement of eligible entries will be delayed up to 31 days following the withdrawal of the suspension.

Who/What is not eligible for expungement? An individual with any active or pending suspension, revocation, cancellation, or refusal; pending MVA administrative action; or restriction for the Ignition Interlock Program is not eligible for expungement. Certain record entries are not eligible for expungement, even if other portions of the same record meet eligibility requirements, including: Any record entries related to a fatal accident; Any alcohol-related offenses; Any violation that is identical, or substantially similar, to those listed above; and Any record entries required for assessment of subsequent offender penalties.

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A Quick Quiz How many points must you accumulate before you must attend DIP? 5, 6, or 7 points How many points must you accumulate before your license is suspended? 8 points How many points must you accumulate before your license is revoked? 12 points Do any other types of drivers have to attend DIP? Yes, drivers with a provisional license or learner’s permit convicted of a moving violation.

Talking Points and Discussion: How many points can get you sent to DIP? If you are a fully licensed driver, 5 -7 points will get a driver sent to DIP.

If you hold a learner’s instructional permit or a provisional license, then any moving violation conviction will make it necessary for you to attend DIP .

A judge or an administrative law judge can

How many points can get your license suspended? 8 points

How many points will get your license revoked? 12 points

What is the difference between revocation and suspension? A suspended license means that you will have to wait a certain time period before being allowing to drive again.

A revoked license means that you no longer have a license and will have to prove that you are able to drive safely. You may have to take additional classes and you will have to take the vision, knowledge, and behind the wheel (skills) test.

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What is the difference between suspension and revocation? Suspension means you still have your driving privilege and must have turned in your license but are temporarily unable to drive legally. Revocation means you no longer have a license and will have to prove that you are a safe driver to get your license back. Can a driver drive when he/she is suspended for any reason? NO!!! If your license is suspended (or revoked), you may not drive for any reason. What are some possible consequences of high points? Higher insurance costs or inability to get insurance Court costs MDOT MVA fees for classes, new licenses, and general fees Loss of employment

Talking Points and Discussion:

This quiz is designed to test student’s knowledge of the information just taught.

What is the difference between revocation and suspension? Revocation means you no longer have a license and will prove that you are a safe driver to get your license back. With revocation, a driver will have to prove he/she is safe by retaking both the knowledge and skills test. If the suspension is drug/alcohol related, a driver may have to address the situation with Driver Wellness and Safety. He/she may also have an ignition interlock system installed in his/her vehicle. He/she may also be subject to continued scrutiny by Driver Wellness and Safety as drug abuse/alcoholism are both medically reportable conditions.

Suspension means you still have your license but are temporarily unable to drive. Please stress to class that a driver receives no credit for a suspension until the MDOT MVA receives his/her license or an affidavit that includes that the license has been lost or stolen.

What are some possible consequences of high points? (You may want to expand on these points with your students) Higher insurance costs or inability to get insurance On average, insurance companies may increase the cost or drop coverage on drivers who accumulate numerous violations. If that happens, drivers may have to seek out other options from more expensive, high risk insurers. A driver may end up having to purchase SR-22 insurance.

Please remind students that having insurance is legally mandated in Maryland. If students would like additional information about insurance, attached is a link to the Maryland Insurance Commission and additional information about automobile insurance: http://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/autoinsuranceguide.pdf

Please also remind students that as of October 1, 2016, they are legally required to carry proof of insurance with them at all times.

Court costs – If a driver needs to attend an administrative hearing to keep a driver’s license, he/she will be required to pay the court costs up front.

MVA fees for classes , new licenses, and general fees

Loss of employment- Many employers periodically check driving records to make sure the people they employ are safe to drive. If a driver has received numerous tickets, it may result in him/her losing a job or not being offered employment.

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Why Drive Safely? Do you know anyone who drives? Who do you know on the road every day?

Talking Points and Discussion:

While students may that safe driving is legal driving, there is a difference.

Exercise:

Have students generate a list of people they know who drive on a daily basis. Have them discuss how they would feel if something happened to that person.

An alternative would be have each person generate a list of consequences that might happen if they were injured in a serious car crash. Make sure that they include any costs to their vehicles, lost time at work or even the possibility of 26

Dangerous Driving Behaviors

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide is a transition slide between the section of the class that addresses a driver’s record, points and suspensions and the section that deals with bad driving and the offenses that may have gotten a driver assigned to the DIP program.

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Dangerous Driving

Driving aggressively

Driving distracted

Driving impaired

Speeding

Talking Points and Discussion:

This is a broad list of categories of dangerous driving.

Please ask students to discuss what types of driving issues fall into each category.

Driving aggressively: Tailgating other drivers Ignoring pedestrian or cyclists right of ways Failing to pay attention to road markings or traffic control devices

Driving Impaired Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Driving Distracted Doing anything while driving that causes you as a driver to take your hands off the wheel/eyes off the road or mind off the driving task Driving drowsy (which is not necessarily illegal but can cause bad driving and lead to crashes)

Speeding Many people speed. Speeding makes every crash worse. Over 150 people were killed in crashes in Maryland alone as a direct result of speeding. 28

Choose to be Safe: Do Not Drive Aggressively

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide is a transitional slide that introduces aggressive driving. 29

Who Is An Aggressive Driver? Any driver who makes his/her passengers or the drivers around them be worry for their safety.

Are You An Aggressive Driver?

Talking Points and Discussion

This slide is designed to get students to define what makes an aggressive driver and how they may be aggressive. It is also designed to get them to consider whether or not they want people around them to be afraid of them.

Exercise:

1) Have students work in small groups to develop a definition of aggressive driving. 2) After students in small groups develop their definition, have them come together to develop a class definition. 3) Compare the definition they have developed with the class definition. 4) What do their definitions have that the MVA definition may lack? 5) What does the MVA definition encompass that theirs lack? Is that what they think of when they think of aggressive driving?

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Choose Not To Be An Aggressive Driver: Aggressive Attitude

Talking Points and Discussion:

Discuss how aggressive attitudes can lead to aggressive driving. It is important not just to ask the questions but also to discuss with the class what happens when they start getting frustrated or angered when driving.

What happens when the people around you start doing things that you, as a driver, find silly or careless?

What happens to your driving when you start to become angered or frustrated?

What happens to your driving when you are late and stuck in traffic?

Do you ever complain to yourself or your passengers about other drivers? Complaining about other drivers establishes a false sense of superiority. You are the driver whose is better, more experienced and more capable than the drivers around you. This feeling of being superior can lead a driver to make mistakes and to put drivers around you at risk.

Do you ever get annoyed or angered by other drivers? If you allow other drivers to annoy or anger you, once again you may be acting as if you are a “better” driver than the drivers around you. That may lead you to putting other drivers at risk.

Do you ever feel frustrated in congested traffic? Frustration in congested traffic can lead to reckless and dangerous driving. Reckless driving puts you and the drivers around you at risk.

31

Complaining to yourself or your passengers about other drivers can lead to…

Getting frustrated or annoyed by other drivers can lead to…

Feeling angry in congested traffic can lead to….

AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES LEAD TO AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS.

Whenever You Are Aggressive, You Are At The Edge Of Making A Mistake. - Mario Andretti

Talking Points and Discussion:

This curriculum is going to look at aggressive driving not in the legal sense but in the safety sense.

Before going further, please discuss with the class some examples of things that they have seen other drivers do or have done themselves that might have been concerning. You may also want to discuss why this actions would have worried the other road users around them.

Some examples: 1) Speeding 2) Not paying attention to or going through traffic signals 3) Being too close or ignoring pedestrians/cyclists 4) Making turns or changing lanes without signaling 5) Making unpredictable or unsafe lane changes 6) Following too closely

Good to know: Who was Mario Andretti? Mario Andretti was is an Italian-American race car driver. He raced through the 1960’s – 2000’s and is the most successful drivers in race car history.

For more information about him and his driving career: http://www.marioandretti.com/biography

http://www.marioandretti.com/biography 32

What Does That Mean?

Talking Points and Discussion

This slide helps to put the slide before into context.

As each of the animation points come up, an instructor should plan to discuss each bullet point. In traffic, drivers frequently get mad at other drivers for a number of reasons. When angry, a driver may feel the need to share his/her anger with other drivers or friends/co-workers. Because a driver is busy sharing the mistakes of everyone around him/her, he/she fails to SEE what is going on around him/her. Crashes or near crashes frequently result. 33

You get mad at the driver in front of you.

You text your friends that the driver in front of you is an idiot because he/she drives so slowly.

You don’t notice that the car in front of you is stopping or slowing down.

What happens next?

Aggressive Driving: Aggressive Acts Do you drive like you are in a hurry, frequently changing lanes and trying to leave other safer drivers behind? Do you ever tailgate slower drivers who refuse to move over? Do you ever go through red lights or ignore other traffic signals ? Do you stop where and when you are supposed to? Do you ever break speed limits?

What are you supposed to do in these situations?

Talking Points and Discussion: Why are each of these aggressive? Please allow ample time to discuss why each of the above is aggressive. You may have students disagree with you as to why a particular action is an “aggressive action” or not.

Do you drive like you are in a hurry, leaving other slower drivers behind? When you are driving in rush hour traffic, do you hurry to the next light or change lanes excessively? Many drivers who speed on crowded urban roads frequently end up at the same light as the people they pass. They may gain a car length (or less) advantage. At the same time, speeding puts drivers all around them at risk.

Do you ever honk at drivers who upset you? While it might make you, as a driver, feel better to honk at other drivers when you are frustrated, that is not the purpose of the horn. A horn was designed to warn other drivers of emergencies. You are diluting the power of a horn to act as an early warning device when you use it to signal your annoyance or frustration.

Do you ever tailgate slower drivers who refuse to move over? Tailgating is extremely risky. The driver in front of you could even accidentally brake and cause you to crash into him/her. Even minor crashes can be expensive and result in citations. You may also not be able to see what is in front of you. You may not be able to see a pedestrian or cyclist in front of you. You may cause an even more serious crash involving a pedestrian or cyclist and serious injury.

Do you ever yell or gesture at other drivers? Yelling or gesturing at other drivers can lead to road rage and serious confrontations. The number of fatal road rage crashes have been increasing throughout the country.

Do you ever break speed limits? While many people break speed limits, most people do not recognize the significant dangers involved in speeding. According to a traffic study conducted in Australia, speeding by even minimal amounts increases the risk of a crash. If you are driving 25 mph and hit a pedestrian, there is an 80% chance that the pedestrian will survive the crash. If you hit the same pedestrian going 10mph over the speed limit, there is a 50% chance that he/she will survive.

Do you ever go through red lights? A t-bone collision, where one driver hits another driver broadside, is one of the most dangerous types of collision/crash. This is the crash that occurs when one driver goes through an intersection when the light is red.

34

Aggressive Driving: Frequent Lane Changes Why are frequent lane changes dangerous? Did you check all of your mirrors and your blind spots every time you changed lanes? Did you use signals to let driver around you know what you were doing? Did you insure there was enough space between vehicles to change lanes? If not, your lane change put you, your passengers and the people around you at risk.

Are you really getting there faster than the people around you?

Talking Points and Discussion:

Frequent Lane Changes: Every lane change puts a driver at risk from two lanes of traffic. Are the drivers next to you really going faster? Probably just an illusion according to research from the NHTSA and DOT. On urban roads, most lights are timed. The result of speeding and lane changes may be to just get you to the next light faster and allow you to spend more time idling.

Did you check your mirrors and around your vehicle before changing lanes? Every time you change lanes, you should use your turn signal before moving, check your mirrors and conduct a head check to make sure the change is safe. Every time you change lanes , you increase the likelihood of getting into a crash because you may have failed to check on or more areas around you vehicle.

35

Crash Could this crash have been avoided?

Talking Points and Discussion:

How could the driver in the blue car have avoided the crash? By focusing on the road and road conditions. By applying brake at the appropriate time By not speeding By using the appropriate following distance It may be important to discuss what types of scenarios could lead to a rear end collision: distracted driving, speeding, too fast for conditions, following too closely

Could the driver in the red car have avoided the collision? (It was probably much harder for the driver in the red car to avoid crash) By possibly taking some type of evasive actions such as turning right By being aware of his/her surroundings

This may be a good opportunity to discuss why even using your cellphone at stoplights can be dangerous; it limits a driver’s ability to react to situation around him/her. 36

How Long Does It Take Your Vehicle To Stop? At 25 miles per hour

27 feet to react

32 feet to stop 59 total feet

38 feet to react

63 feet to stop 154 total feet At 35 miles per hour At 45 miles per hour

50 feet to react

104 feet to stop 101 total feet Tailgating or Following Too Closely Is Dangerous

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

Before revealing how much it takes to react and stop at each mph, have students estimate how long it takes a driver to react and stop at each speed.

1) How does the time it takes to stop and how does this have an impact on following distance?

2) What impact could distraction, bad weather, or bad road conditions have on stopping distance?

The times described above are in the best conditions.

Bad weather, road conditions, and traffic can all impact stopping distance.

The condition of the vehicle’s brakes and the size of a vehicle may also increase stopping distances.

Poorly paved roads can also extend stopping distance.

Another way to estimate approximate stopping distance is to multiple the first digit of a speed limit by the whole speed limit. For example:

Speed limit 25 x first digit 2 = 50 feet to stop

Speed limit 35 x first digit 3 = 105 feet to stop

Speed limit 45 x first digit 4 = 180 feet to stop

For additional information about stopping distance and reaction time, the attached pdf was developed by NACTO https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/vehicle_stopping_distance_and_time_upenn.pdf 37

The Greater The Speed, The Bigger The Vehicle, The Worse The Weather…

The Longer It Takes A Vehicle To Stop.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Throughout the PowerPoint, there will be slides like this. They are designed to get the instructor to stop and discuss the especially significant points.

This slide reinforces the idea that bad weather, the weight of a vehicle, and even poorly paved roads can have a significant impact on the stopping distance.

You may want to discuss with the class the importance of weight and weather as influences on stopping distance. 38

Choose To Be Safe: Maintain The Correct Following Distance And Do Not Tailgate

Correct following distance is at least 3- 4 seconds.

Following distance should be increased in bad weather conditions or any other condition that might make stopping challenging.

If you are following behind a truck or have limited visibility, you should increase following distance.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Correct following distance is at least three to four seconds.

How can a student measure 3 – 4 seconds when driving? 1) Pick a stationary object. 2) Allow the vehicle in front of you to pass that object. 3) Count the number of seconds before you pass the same object. 4) A driver should be able to count to at least three before he/she passes the same stationary object.

Under what conditions should a driver plan to increase his/her following distance?

Bad weather: rain, snow, ice More collisions occur during rain than in snow or ice because drivers do not feel as if they need to increase following distance in rain. According to NHTSA, 40% of all bad weather collisions occur in rain. For additional information about driving in all types of inclement weather: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm

2) At high speeds, drivers should plan to increase following distance. At 65mph, it takes a driver at least 71 feet to react to the actions of drivers around them and 217 feet to come to a complete stop.

3) If you see drivers around you being distracted, increasing following distance is the best way to keep yourself safe.

39

Aggressive Driving: Failure to obey Traffic Signals What is the danger? The sign indicates “No Turn on Red. “ You are late and decided to do it anyway. “No turn on red” signs are used in areas where there are a lot of pedestrians or on busy roads. If you make the turn, you run the risk of hitting a pedestrian or being involved with a crash with another vehicle.

The traffic signal is turning from yellow to red. Why can’t I just go through? In 2015, 771 people were killed and an estimated 137,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. Over half of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles who were hit by the red light runners.

The car in front of me stopped at the stop sign and I stopped behind them. Can’t I just go now? Every driver has to stop at a stop sign. You need to check and make sure it is safe to proceed.

The light is only flashing red. Why can’t I just ignore it and go on through the intersection? Drivers should treat flashing red lights like a stop sign.

Talking Points and Discussion: What is the danger? Before revealing the answers to each of the questions. Please discuss with the class what they believe the problems might be.

The sign indicates “No Turn on Red” but you are late and decided to do it anyway. No turn on red signs are used in areas where there are a lot of pedestrians or on busy roads. If you make the turn, you run the risk of hitting a pedestrian or being involved with a crash with another vehicle. If you are involved in a significant crash, you may be seriously injured, you may destroy your vehicle, or you may injure other people.

The traffic signal is turning from yellow to red. Why can’t I just go through? In 2015, 771 people were killed and an estimated 137,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. Over half of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles who were hit by the red light runners. As there are more pedestrians and other road users out on the roads, there is a greater chance of crashes. Many of these pedestrians are as distracted as drivers, making the roads more dangerous for everyone.

The car in front of me stopped at the stop sign and I stopped behind them. Can’t I just go now? Every driver has to stop at a stop sign. You need to check and make sure it is safe to proceed. The light is only flashing red. Why can’t I just ignore it and go on through the intersection? Drivers should treat flashing red lights like a stop sign.

40

Could These Two Drivers Have Avoided This Collision?

Talking Points and Discussion Questions

The driver in the gray car goes through a yellow light as it is turning red. This provides you an opportunity to review what each driver should be doing.

Please discuss with the class the following questions:

How could each driver in the video have avoided the crash?

Even one driver has been given the green signal, are there actions he/she could have taken to avoid this crash?

41

Why are traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings important? Allow drivers can anticipate what other drivers will do. Provide an opportunity for pedestrians or vehicles to cross an intersection. Reduce the number of conflicts and crashes between vehicles and other road users moving in different directions.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Before revealing the answers, an instructor should discuss with the class why traffic signs are used and why they are important.

Ask the students what they think a road system without traffic control devices would be like. 42

Red - moving traffic shall stop & remain stopped as long as the signal is red. Yellow – the signal is about to change, and a driver must clear or must not enter the intersection.

Green - the traffic should move in the direction of the signal but should yield to other vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection or crosswalk.

Choose To Be Safe: Obey Traffic Signals

Talking Points and Discussion Questions :

Exercise with class: As you are going through this slide, please discuss what bad behaviors they may have seen when out and driving. As you generate a list, ask what the risks of each action is. You may also have students describe what they are supposed to do at red/yellow/green lights and what they may have seen people actually do. After generating that information, go through the actual directions for each color. Discuss with class why not following directions for each type of light might be dangerous.

What does each type of light mean: Red Lights – Driver must come to a full and complete stop Many significant crashes occur at red lights because of drivers trying to get through at the last second. Right turns on reds – a driver does not have to make a right turn on red, but may after he/she has come to a complete stop and has checked to make sure there is enough space to complete the turn safely and has yielded to any pedestrian or other road user in the crosswalk

Yellow Lights The signal is preparing to go from green to yellow A driver should clear the intersection if already in the intersection A driver should not enter the intersection if not already in the intersection

Green Lights Mean to go when the intersection is clear Must still yield to any pedestrians or other road users in the crosswalk

Ver 3.21.2017

Choose to be Safe: Obey Flashing Signals Flashing red – a driver must stop before entering the intersection.

Flashing yellow – a driver must slow down and proceed with caution when going through the intersection.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

What is the difference between flashing signals and solid signals? Flashing red lights operate in the same way as a stop sign A driver must come to a complete stop at the stop line Before proceeding through the intersection, a driver must yield to any pedestrians or other road users If two vehicles arrive at the same time, a driver must yield to the driver on his/her right

What should a driver do differently at a flashing light versus a solid light? Flashing red lights work like stop signs; a driver may go through the intersection when it is safe and legal to do so. At a solid light, a driver may only proceed when the light has changed to green.

What are the advantages of a red flashing light over a stop sign? A flashing light may be more visible to motorists than a sign.

Ver 3.21.2017

Choose to Be Safe: Stop The Correct Way Choose To Be Safe: Where And When Are You Supposed To Stop?

If all three cars arrived at the same time and you are in CAR A, who goes first?

Does this car still have to stop at the stop sign?

A

B C

Talking Points and Discussion Questions :

Discuss who should go first if everyone arrives at the same time.

What about the yellow car? Does that car still have to stop if it stops behind the other yellow car?

This slide provides an instructor with opportunity to review stopping and right of way concepts.

An instructor may also want to get students to point out the stop line, where the stop line is, and that each vehicle stopped behind the stop line.

Please note: The stop signs are slightly larger than proportional to assist students in finding them and to stress their position in the illustration. Ver 3.21.2017

Choose to be Safe: How to Make a Turn Safely Signal appropriately Check signs, signals, and pavement markings to ensure you can make the turn you want to make. Are right or left turns permitted? Are you allowed to move from one lane to another? Is there a “protected” lane for turning? Check for other road users. Move into correct lane to make turn and continue to check mirrors and blind spots while making turn. Slow down to make the turn at a safe speed. Continue to yield as necessary.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Signal appropriately Thousands of crashes occur every year because of the drivers’ failure to correctly signal.

Why is signaling important? Signaling communicates to other drivers and road users your intent. That allows them to plan for what you are going to do and make decisions about what they are going to do appropriately.

Check signs, signals, and pavement markings to ensure you can make the turn you want to make. Are right or left turns permitted? Are you allowed to move from one lane to another? Is there a “protected” lane for turning? Is there a specified path drivers are supposed to take through the intersection.

Check for other road users. Other road users can be other vehicles, cyclists, or even pedestrians. It is also important to anticipate what other drivers may be doing. A large vehicle like a commercial truck or bus that may require more space/time to turn Public busses that may be stopping to pick up or discharge passengers (or passengers that are rushing to get the bus and not paying attention to their surroundings. Pedestrians who may or may not use the crosswalk. Cyclists who may be appropriately following road rules or who may not be.

Move into correct lane to make turn and continue to check mirrors and blind spots while making turn.

Slow down.

Continue to yield as necessary.

46

How Can Each Car Turn Safely?

What Other Road Users Are There? Which Cars Pose A Threat?

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

As you go through this slide, please be sure to discuss all of the potential conflict points with other vehicles and pedestrians as each path of travel is animated. Be sure to discuss how, as a safe driver, you should progress through the intersection. Each driver should also be aware of other road users/pedestrians that may or may not be using the crosswalk.

To determine the direction of each vehicle, please use the compass arrow in the upper right corner of the slide.

The point of each vehicle and each arrow is to look at where drivers can and should go and how a driver may safely and legally make a turn in the intersection.

White car – may turn right. In some instances, that driver may turn right whether the traffic light is red or green. If the traffic light is green, then the driver will need to watch for That car must also crosses over two crosswalks and must look for pedestrians coming from two different directions. If the driver is making a right turn on red, he/she must be sure to yield to pedestrians going south.

Green car in the southwestern corner of the intersection - car may go left. When preparing to go left, the driver must watch for any vehicles going south, whether the vehicle is going straight or is making a right turn. The driver must also watch for pedestrians crossing two different sets of crosswalks.

Blue car in lower west bound lane of traffic – In some instances, that driver may turn right whether the traffic light is red or green. If the traffic light is green, then the driver will need to watch for That car must also crosses over two crosswalks and must look for pedestrians coming from two different directions. If the driver is making a right turn on red, he/she must be sure to yield to pedestrians going south.

Orange car – this vehicle is in the left turn only lane. That means that the driver may ONLY turn left. At the same time, the driver of that vehicle will have to yield to any other road users that are in the two crosswalks the driver must cross. He/she may also have to yield to any drivers who are headed west on the road and who may be moving through the intersection .

Blue car headed southbound – this car may turn left. To do so safely, he/she must watch for the two northbound lanes of traffic and for any pedestrians in the two crosswalks that must be crossed.

Yellow car going west- This car may turn right or may go straight. He/she may also make a right turn on red if allowed to do so. The driver will have to come to a complete stop and yield to any pedestrians or any vehicle heading north before making the turn.

Grey car heading west – may only make a left turn and will have to cross the north – south bound lanes. 47

Choose To Be Safe: Obey Pavement Markings- Yellow Markings

Single yellow line means the driver may not pass on either side of the road. Double yellow lines means the driver may not pass on either side of the road.. A yellow solid and dashed line together mean the driver on the side of the road with the dash may pass while the other side driver may not. Dashed yellow line means the driver may pass on either side of the road.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions: Note to instructors:

This slide has several layers of animation. Before showing slide to students, make sure to follow the animations.

Before displaying the animation, ask class what a single yellow line can mean. Drivers cannot legally pass on either side of the road when traffic is opposing. Also marks the left edge on divided highways, one-way roads, and ramps.

Double yellow lines separate opposing traffic and mean that passing or crossing the line is prohibited in both directions.

Double yellow lines with one solid and one broken line usually separate opposing lanes of traffic but allow passing on the side where

Dashed yellow lines usually separate opposing traffic and allows passing, when safe, from either side.

As you go through the meanings of each type of pavement markings, be sure to discuss with students what might happen if a driver fails to obey the markings and why obeying road markings is important to be a safe driver. Ver 3.21.2017

Chose to be Safe: Obey Pavement Markings- White Markings

Separates lines of traffic traveling in the same direction. Crossing is not recommended but is allowed. Indicates the right side of the road.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

Please use the animations to create a series of questions and answers about white pavement markings and where a driver might see them.

Please use illustrations to reinforce the definitions.

Ver 3.21.2017

Aggressive Driving: Emotion Over Safety Any strong emotion, such as excitement, stress, or anger, can cause you to lose concentration.

Anger can also lead to aggressive driving.

50 Talking Points and Discussion:

Any strong emotion can lead to aggressive driving. There are many drivers who display aggression and rudeness when driving.

Some drivers take rudeness and aggressive driving to a level where it is illegal.

Aggressive Drivers: More Than A Safety Hazard

Significant Illegal Indicators: Tailgating Unsafe lane changing Speeding Running red lights and stop signs

Aggressive drivers show contempt for other motorists and for basic common sense at the wheel and … THEY ARE ALSO BREAKING THE LAW.

Committing three moving violations at the same time is the legal definition of aggressive driving.

Talking Points and Discussion:

So far we have been discussing the unsafe elements of aggressive driving, aggressive driving is also more than just unsafe actions.

Remind students that aggressive driving is committing three moving violations at the same time.

The most common indicators of aggressive driving are tailgating, unsafe lane changing, speeding, and running red lights.

Please discuss with students how each of these could be considered part of aggressive driving and it also an unsafe action when driving.

Tailgating: If a driver is too close to the driver in front of him/her, he/she may not be able to stop or control his/her vehicle in case of a sudden stop or change in direction.

Unsafe Lane Changing: May put you and other drivers at risk from a crash since you are not allowing enough room to pass adequately or not signaling before making a move.

Speeding: Puts you and all the drivers at risk. Speed increases the risk of a crash from 200 – 400%

Running red lights and stop lights: Danger that a driver who runs a red light make cause a crash by hitting or being hit by another driver who is legally entering or exiting the intersection. A driver may also not be paying attention as he/she is trying to get through the intersection and may hit a pedestrian or another road user.

51

A Quick Quiz What is aggressive driving? Doing anything that makes other drivers or your passengers afraid or even uncomfortable. Legally, any time a driver commits three moving violations at the same time.

What are some examples of aggressive actions? Why are these actions dangerous and illegal? Following too closely – may not give a driver enough room to adjust for speed or conditions and may led to a crash Multiple lane changes – driver may not check mirrors or blind spots and may led to a crash Speeding – driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision Running red lights – is illegal and may led to a crash when crossing oncoming traffic

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide is designed to review the content that was just discussed in the section on aggressive driving.

What is aggressive driving? Doing anything that makes other drivers or your passengers afraid or even uncomfortable. Legally, any time a driver commits three moving violations at the same time. For additional information about aggressive driving, please see

What are some examples of aggressive actions? Why are these actions dangerous and illegal? Following too closely – may not give a driver enough room to adjust for speed or conditions and may led to a crash Multiple lane changes – driver may not check mirrors or blind spots and may led to a crash Speeding – driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision Running red lights – is illegal and may led to a crash when crossing oncoming traffic

For additional information about aggressive driving and its impact on Maryland roads, please see Maryland Driver Manual, pgs 26 – 27.

For additional information about basic driving rules, please see Maryland Driver Manual, pgs. 8-18.

For additional information about aggressive driving and its impact on Maryland drivers, go to http://www.mva.maryland.gov/safety/mhso/program-aggressive-drivers.htm 52

Choose Not To Drive Distracted

Talking Points and Discussion:

This is a transitional slide to go from the aggressive driving section to the distracted driving section. 53

Talking Points and Discussion

This video puts young people who text face to face with a young woman who lost her family because of texting. 54

What do you think? What actually happened to Jacy and her family?

What were some of the reasons/the people in the video found acceptable for texting while they were driving?

Have you as a driver ever used some of the excuses used by people in the video?

Having seen the cost of the decisions described in the video, do those excuses seem valid?

How would you feel if you were Jacy? How would you feel if you were the driver who caused the crash?

Talking Points and Discussion Questions

What actually happened to Jacy and her family? Jacy and her family were returning home for a graduation ceremony. A tractor trailer swerved to avoid a vehicle whose driver was texting and crashed into Jacy’s family car. Both of her parents were killed on impact, and she was badly injured.

What were some of the reasons/the people in the video found acceptable for texting while they were driving? They were at a stop light. Their passengers were looking out for them. They felt that the message was so important that they could not look away.

Have you as a driver ever used some of the excuses used by people in the video? Answers may vary by class.

Having seen the cost of the decisions described in the video, do those excuses seem valid? Please use this as a starting point for discussion.

How would you feel if you were Jacey? How would you 55

Why is Texting(or Any Distraction) Dangerous? What visual skills are used when driving? What thinking skills are used when driving? What motor skills are used when driving? To Drive Safely, You Must S.E.E.

Teaching Notes and Discussion Points:

Purpose of this slide is to explain that S.E.E. is a constant process; Ask students what senses are required to drive?

Driving Task requires a driver to use visual, thinking, and motor skills.

Define cognitive , visual, and motor skills. Cognitive skills: core skills your brain uses to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention. Working together, they take incoming information and move it into the bank of knowledge you use every day at school, at work, and in life.

b) Visual skills – Ability to recognize the separate parts of objects including shape, direction, size, and color. Ability to separate an object from irrelevant background information. Ability to recognize a complete object from fragmented information. Ability to retain information over a period of time.

c) Motor Skills - the ability to perform complex muscle-and-nerve acts that produce movement; fine motor skills are small movements like writing and tying shoes, gross motor skills are large movements like walking and kicking

3) How are each of these related to driving? Have students brainstorm a list of fifteen different driving activities. Have them place each activity in the visual, cognitive, or motor categories.

4) Include a discussion of how distraction or inexperience as a driver would impact each of these activities.

56

Search Visual Skill

Evaluate Thinking Skill

Execute Motor Skills

Any distraction can cause a driver to

Take hands off steering wheel. Take eyes off road.

Take mind off driving. Or in another way…

57 Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

How Dangerous is that text? How long does it take you to do each step?

Talking Points and Discussion:

One person should be the timer and another person should be the texter. The “texter” should send three messages to the timer. The timer should time and record how long it takes the texter to type in the text and hit send. After sending the text, multiply the time by the speed to see how far a driver would travel sending a text at each speed. That is how long a driver’s hands, eyes, and mind is off the driving task.

58

How long to find your phone?

How long to unlock your phone?

How long to read your text?

How long to text back?

How long are your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel?

How long are your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel?

How long are your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel?

How long are your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel?

So How Far Did You Travel Looking at your phone?

At 25 mph

40 ft each second

For 7 seconds

At 35 mph

51 ft each second

For 7 seconds

You went 280 ft.

At 65 mph

95 ft each second

For 7 seconds

You went 665 ft.

You went 357 ft

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide illustrates how far drivers may go sending a text at particular speeds.

Possible exercise: After going through the previous slide, have students actually send a text and walk through the process of sending a short, medium and long text.

Have them determine how far they actually travel at 25 mph, 35 mph, 55 mph, and 65 mph using the feet per second calculated below:

25 mph (40 ft/second) 35 mph (51 ft/second) 55 mph (81 ft/second) 65 mph (95 ft/second)

59

You drove the length of a football field…blind.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Even going 35 mph, a driver will go more than 300 feet with looking at the road, using both hands to steer, or being focused on another task. 60

Distractions Do Not Have to be Technological

Anything that makes it impossible for a driver to S.E.E. (Search Evaluate Execute) is a distraction and a danger.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Technology is not always the problem for drivers.

Eating, putting on makeup

Even other people can cause distraction and can be dangerous.

An instructor might want to ask how each of the three things portrayed in the pictures is actually a “distraction.”

Putting on makeup requires a driver to take his/her hands off the wheel. A driver may also look in the mirror or readjust the mirror to allow them to see better; they are no longer watching where they are going or what is around them

Eating is very common, but can also pose a serious damage. If a driver is eating, his hand or hands may not be on the wheel. In addition, if a driver spills very hot or very cold food on themselves, it can easily cause a serious crash.

Even the young woman who is driving appears to have both hands on the wheel, neither her eyes nor her mind is on the driving task. Although passengers can act as a second set of eyes, they can also distract a driver from searching what is going on around them on the road. 61

According to Maryland law, an individual may not use a text messaging device to WRITE, SEND, OR READ a text message or electronic message while operating a motor vehicle in the travel portion of a roadway . Transportation Act 21-1124.1 Choose To Be Safe: What Is Maryland Law?

Illegal In Maryland

62 Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

For additional information about the statute and its exact wording:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?pid=&tab=subject5&stab=&ys=2018RS&article=gtr&section=21-1124.2&ext=html&session=2018RS

1) Texting is illegal and is a primary offense which means a driver can be stopped and fined for texting and driving even if he/she is not committing any other offense.

A driver of a motor vehicle that is in motion may not use the driver’s hands to use a handheld telephone (cell phone) other than to initiate or terminate a wireless telephone call or to turn on or turn off the handheld telephone. Primary offense which means that a driver may be stopped and cited if an officer observes them using a cell phone. Illegal even with hands-free device for drivers under 18

Talking Points and Discussion:

1) What is the State of Maryland’s cell phone law that took effect on October 1, 2013? “A driver of a motor vehicle that is in motion may not use the driver’s hands to use a handheld telephone (cell phone) other than to initiate or terminate a wireless telephone call or to turn on or turn off the handheld telephone.” With certain specific exceptions, all Maryland drivers are prohibited from using their hands to operate a cell phone, unless the vehicle is stopped.

2. Does the law apply to everyone? No. It does not apply to law enforcement and emergency personnel when those individuals are acting within the scope of their safety and emergency duties.

3. What does hands free mean? A cell phone attached to a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth is acceptable.

4. Are any type of calls exempt under this law? Yes. Calls to 9-1-1, a hospital, ambulance provider, fire department, law enforcement agency and first aid squad are all exempt for emergency situations only.

5. This law prohibits handheld cell phone use while driving, but can I use a hands-free device? Yes. With the exceptions listed in Question 7, using a hands-free device while driving is not in violation of this new law. However, by law both ears may not be covered by ear plugs, headset or earphones.

6. Are there any drivers who are not allowed to use a handheld cell phone even with a hands-free device while driving? Yes. Any driver under the age of 18. Anyone who has a learner’s instructional permit or a provisional driver’s license and is 18 years of age or older. The driver of a school bus that is carrying passengers and is in motion. These types of drivers may only use a handheld cell phone while driving for an emergency situation.

7. Will there be a warning period? No. It has been against the law to drive while using a handheld cell phone since 2010. Officers will begin writing citations for this offense on October 1, 2013. It is always up to an officer’s discretion as to whether a warning might be issued rather than a citation.

8. What is the penalty for the offense? For the first offense the fine is $83. For a second offense the fine is $140. For the third and subsequent offenses the fine will be $160. Three points will be assessed to your license if the offense contributes to an accident; otherwise no points are assessed for this offense.

Additional informational about cellphone use in specific and distracted driving may be found at http://www.mva.maryland.gov/safety/mhso/program-distracted-driving.htm

Additional information about Maryland law and distracted driving may be found in the Maryland Driver Manual in pgs. 26 – 27. 63

Jake’s Law: Serious Penalties for a Serious Crime

Distracted drivers who cause serious injury or death can receive up to three years in jail and up to a $5,000 fine. Jake Owen was a five year old boy who was killed when a driver who was texting rear ended his parents’ car. The driver of the vehicle who killed Jake received a $1000 fine.

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide discusses Jake’s Law which was passed as a result of a young boy who was killed by a distracted driver.

For additional information about Jake’s Law: https://www.facebook.com/SupportJakesLaw/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/jakes-law-addresses-penalties-for-distracted-driving/2014/03/09/c64aaa22-a3da-11e3-a5fa-55f0c77bf39c_story.html?utm_term=.a9e4128fb55e

Text of Jake’s Law in the Md Transportation Act: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/chapters_noln/Ch_248_hb1212E.pdf

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A Quick Quiz What is a distraction when driving and why are they dangerous? A distraction is anything that stops a driver from “S.E.E.ing” when driving. Distractions make it harder for drivers to search where they are going, evaluate what risks and hazards a situation may have, and safely execute a course of action. Do distractions have to be technological? Distractions can be anything that interferes with a driver being able to S.E.E. What is Maryland Law about texting? It is illegal in Maryland to text and drive. What is Maryland law about cellphone use? Drivers over 18 may use a hands free device. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use cell phones at all unless they are calling 911.

Talking Points and Discussion:

What is a distraction when driving and why are they dangerous? A distraction is anything that stops a driver from “S.E.E.ing” when driving.

Please remind drivers that S.E.E. stands for search evaluate execute which means that a driver needs to search for what is Distractions make it harder for drivers to search where they are going, evaluate what risks and hazards a situation may have, and safely execute a course of action.

Do distractions have to be technological? Distractions can be anything that interferes with a driver being able to S.E.E.

You may to develop some examples of non-technological distractions.

What is Maryland Law about texting? It is illegal in Maryland to text and drive.

What is Maryland law about cellphone use? Drivers over 18 may use a hands free device. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use cell phones at all.

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Chose to Be safe: Do Not Drive Fatigued

Transitional Slide 66

Choose To Be Safe: Drive Alert And Focused

Talking Points and Discussion:

Brief video that takes a humorous look at drowsy driving. 67

What Do You Think? What are some of the effects of drowsy driving? Drowsy driving mimics many of the effects of drunk driving.

What is microsleep? How is microsleep dangerous? Microsleep is when a driver’s eyes droop or attention wanders because of fatigue. That loss of attention can cause a crash.

According to the video, what is the best way to avoid drowsy driving? Get rest. Coffee, fresh air, or loud music, which are common remedies do not work.

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide is designed to review the material in the previous video.

You may want to stress that drowsy driving cannot get them a citation, but it is dangerous regardless. 68

Less than 6 hours sleep within 24 hours causes a decrease in: coordination reaction time judgment

Fatigued or drowsy driving mimics the effects of drunk driving.

Choose to be Safe: Do Not Drive Drowsy

69 Talking Points and Discussion

This discusses some of the effect of drowsy driving.

For additional information about drowsy driving, go to https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/why-you-cant-skimp-sleep-when-road-tripping

For additional information about the impact of drowsy driving, go to https://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdrowsydriving/

Choose To Be Safe: Impact of Drowsy Driving According to National Sleep Foundation survey, 60% of drivers admit to have driven drowsy in the last year and 37% have actually fallen asleep while driving.

According to NHTSA, 886 fatal crashes 37,000 injury crashes 45,000 property damage crashes.

70 Talking Points and Discussion: These two facts highlight the scope of the problem of drowsy driving problem. While drowsy driving is not illegal, it is the cause of many crashes and fatalities. It also exacerbates some of the judgement issues that lead to distracted driving crashes.

For additional information from National Sleep Foundation, go to http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/

For additional information from NHTSA about drowsy driving https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving

Do you Drive Fatigued?

Everybody has a "biological clock." Drinking coffee cures drowsiness while driving. I can tell when I'm going to fall asleep. I'm a safe driver so it doesn't matter if I'm sleepy. Nearly everyone gets enough sleep. Being sleepy makes you misperceive things. Young people need less sleep. If I sleep a lot now, I won't need to sleep as much later. Even people who sleep 8 hours may not be well rested.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Everybody has a "biological clock." True , every person has certain hours when they are most likely to be asleep. Different age groups also need different types of sleep at different times.

Drinking coffee cures drowsiness while driving. While coffee may help you be more alert, it does not necessarily stop you from falling asleep. In addition, excessive amounts of caffeine may prevent a driver from getting adequate rest when it is possible to rest.

I can tell when I'm going to fall asleep. Most people do not know exactly when they are going to fall asleep, especially if they are chronically fatigued.

I'm a safe driver so it doesn't matter if I'm sleepy. Being a safe driver doesn’t have anything to do with being sleepy. You can’t drive if you are not conscious. You may also want to discuss with your class that if you , as a driver, are willing to get on the road when you are impaired by fatigue, you really are not a safe driver.

Nearly everyone gets enough sleep. The exact opposite is true. According to information from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), most Americans fail to get adequate sleep.

Being sleepy makes you misperceive things. According to WebMD, chronic sleeplessness has an impact on your sight and your perception. It can even impair your judgment, having an effect similar to being impaired by alcohol.

Young people need less sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adolescents need between 8.5 – 9.5 hours of sleep every evening. In addition, it may be harder for them to get to sleep before 11:00- 12:00 pm.

If I sleep a lot now, I won't need to sleep as much later. It is very difficult to bank sleep and make up for future deficits. The best way to remain rested and alert is to sleep between 7-8 hours on a nightly basis.

Even people who sleep 8 hours may not be well rested. Because of conditions like sleep apnea, even people who are get 8 hours of sleep may not be well rested.

For addition information about sleep and driving: https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/why-you-cant-skimp-sleep-when-road-tripping

http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/

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Can you avoid impaired driving as a result of fatigue?

Stop driving and get the rest you need.

Fatigued Driving Is Not Illegal, But It Can Be Fatal.

72 Talking Points and Discussion:

This stresses the need for drivers to stop and get the rest they need before they start driving.

Choose to Be Safe: Do not Drive Impaired By Drugs Or Alcohol

Transitional Slide 73

As you drink, the alcohol enters your bloodstream. The more you drink, the more alcohol in your blood. Your BAC starts to increase from your very first drink. The amount of alcohol in your blood is called BAC or Blood Alcohol Concentration. Any Amount of Alcohol can impair your driving. If you plan to Drink…Plan Not to Drive.

74 Talking Points and Discussion:

Blood alcohol Concentration refers to the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

People frequently equate BAC and tolerance. BAC is a matter of how much alcohol is chemically in your bloodstream and tolerance refers to the impact the alcohol a person consumes has on his/her actions.

For addition information about BAC and toleration: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2912088/

For addition information about tolerance vs BAC: https://www.lifeloc.com/factors

your weight

how much you drank

when you drank What Can Impact Your Blood Alcohol Concentration?

75 Talking Points and Discussion:

How much a person weighs- On average, men have 76 c.c. of blood /kg body weight and women have 66 c.c. of blood /kg body weight. Not only do men have more blood in which dilutes alcohol but even men of the same weight as women have slightly more blood to dilute alcohol. This is because muscle tissue contains more water than fat tissue, so men -- who have more muscle and less fat on the average than women -- can have about 10 percent more water in their bodies. Please remember that these are averages and generalizations, not absolutes.

How much a person has had to drink This is the most important contributing factor to BAC. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher that person’s BAC will be.

Remind students what one serving of alcohol is, on average,

1 – 1.5 ozs of spirits like vodka, scotch, or rum 5 ozs of most wines 8 ozs of most beers

***Please remind student that these are averages. Some mixed drinks may contain two or three servings of spirits. Some wines have lower or higher alcohol contents. Some beers may also have differing proofs or alcohol content. ****

When you drank: The faster an individual drinks, the more quickly his/her BAC will rise and the more quickly he/she will become intoxicated. The liver metabolizes alcohol at a rate of approximately one standard drink per hour; 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine, .5-ounces or a "shot" of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey). If more than one drink per hour is consumed, the liver is unable to keep pace and more alcohol will circulate in the blood stream until the liver can catch up. The more alcohol in the blood, the higher the intoxication level.

CHOOSE TO BE SAFE: Even one drink can be impairing

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

The point of this slide is to get students to see that all of the risk factors stack up and contribute to impaired driving, even if a driver may have had as little as one or two drinks. As you go through each section, you may want to ask students how each of these might impact their driving, if they were impaired. It may also be helpful to discuss the similarities between driving impaired and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Bad weather – can limit visibility and traction, meaning that a driver will need more time to react and more space to brake. Even a little alcohol can impair reaction time.

Driver inexperience – An inexperienced driver may not necessarily recognize a situation as dangerous until it is too late to address the situation.

Distraction is always a problem for any driver. If a driver adds alcohol or drugs, the effect of distraction will increase.

Fatigue can often mimic the effects of alcohol, slowing reaction time, blurring vision, diminishing attention; alcohol makes all of these effects worse. 76

Even One Serving of Alcohol

Any other drug/alcohol

Bad weather

Driver inexperience

Distraction

Fatigue

Trying To Monitor Your BAC? You can’t! It is extremely difficult to assess your BAC. Why?

Do you know exactly how many servings of alcohol you consumed?

Do you know exactly when you started drinking?

Do you know exactly how much you weigh and how much blood is in your system? If You Can’t Answer The Questions Exactly, You Can’t Monitor Your BAC.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

Why can’t I monitor my own BAC? Many people do not actually monitor the amount of alcohol they drink. They may be drinking one drink, but that drink may contain multiple portions.

Size, gender, when you ate last, what you ate, amount of alcohol you consumed, and the time when you drank are all things that can impact a driver’s BAC and make calculating difficult.

What if I don’t feel impaired? The way you feel is not a good gauge of how impaired a person is. Even if you do not feel impaired, having a BAC of more than .02 if you are under 21, .07-.08 or above if you are 21 and over is cause for being charged with an alcohol related offense.

What if I purchased a pocket breath-a-lyzer? Their readings are inaccurate. In addition, those readings are not admissible in court.

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So…What Is The “Legal Limit,” Anyway? DWI - Driving While Impaired - BAC of .07 to less than .08 OR driving while using any impairing drug/medicine DUI- Driving While Under the Influence - BAC of .08 or more

But you can be stopped and charged with a BAC as low as .05. If You Have An Alcohol Restriction On Your License, Even One Drink Is Illegal.

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide explains to drivers what the legal limits for DUI and DWI are.

It is explains that if a student has an alcohol restriction, then he/she has a zero tolerance. If that alcohol restriction is a condition of probation or the result of a previous alcohol conviction, he/she may face much higher penalties. 78

Under 21? : Zero Tolerance

A quick fact to help you put things in perspective: 1 teaspoon of cough syrup = approximately BAC of 0.01 So, even one drink, one sip, one swallow, one swig, one taste is illegal and can result in alcohol related charges.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

For most students in DIP who are under 21, there is zero tolerance for the consumption or possession of alcohol.

Many things can cause a raised BAC including cough syrup and mouthwash. New drivers need to be conscious about what they are doing before they even get in their vehicles.

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According to the Center for Disease Control, 4,000,000 (4 million) drivers last year chose to Drive Impaired and endanger themselves and everyone around them.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 4,000,000 (4 million) drivers last year chose to Drive Impaired and endanger themselves and everyone around them.

80

If Keys…

Never these.

Talking Points and Discussion:

The point of this slide is to reinforce that alcohol and driving does not mix at any level.

81

Drugs that affect your ability to drive may be LEGAL Or ILLEGAL.

Impaired Driving: Drugs

82 Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

Drugs that can impact driving can be illegal or legal. If they impact the driving, then taking them while driving puts at risk for a DWI (Driving While Impaired)

Impaired Driving: Drugs Legal drugs include prescription and over the counter medications.

While legal, they may still cause driving impairment.

Be sure to read the warning labels for all drugs.

83 Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

If a drug is impairing, then you will be held responsible if you take them when driving.

It is critical to read all warning labels and talk about any medications you are taking with a pharmacist or doctor before driving.

Even if you have been legally prescribed the drug, you may still be charged with driving impaired.

Impaired Driving: Marijuana Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form.

Does that mean the smoking marijuana and driving is legal?

No! How much is illegal to consume and drive? Any.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions

While marijuana laws have been changing and becoming legal in small amounts and for medicinal reasons, it is still illegal to have any illegal drug in your system and drive.

Zero tolerance for illegal drugs.

In addition to facing charges about drinking and driving, you may face additional charges for possession of illegal substances. 84

Impaired Driving: Marijuana How does marijuana impact driving? Coordination Concentration Cognition Balance

According to a recent study by the University of Colorado, even at low levels, marijuana significantly increased weaving from lane to lane.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions

How does marijuana impact driving?

How do the current laws impact using marijuana and driving?

Zero Tolerance policy: any marijuana use is sufficient to get into legal trouble.

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prescription over-the-counter illegal WHEN DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED, IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT KIND OF DRUGS YOU USE. YOU ARE ENDANGERING YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

IMPAIRED DRIVING: DRUGS

86 Talking Points and Discussion:

This stresses that it doesn’t matter whether a drug is legal or illegal, if it impacts your ability to drive, it is impairing.

What If I get Stopped and Want to Refuse The Breath Test? What if I don’t want to take a breath test for alcohol or drugs? You have already agreed when you signed for your license.

Refusal to take the breath test will result in harsher penalties.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

When you received your learner’s permit, you signed for it. Many students are not aware they were actually signing the implied consent statement:

Please have students take out their licenses and read the back. That is their implied consent statement.

Driving in Maryland implies consent to chemical testing for intoxication as required by law. Longer license suspension may result from refusal to be tested.

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A quick Quiz What are the legal limits for BAC? Legal limit for DWI is .07 BAC to less than .08 Legal limit for DUI is .08 BAC and above. For anyone under 21, the legal limit is .00 (zero tolerance) According to the DIP curriculum, how many alcohol can a person drink and still be safe to drive? None. According to the DIP curriculum, how much marijuana can a person smoke before not being allowed to drive? None. What is implied consent? Where can a driver find the implied consent statement? Implied consent is the permission to be tested for the presence of drugs or alcohol which a driver granted when he/she received his/her MD driver license. The implied consent statement can be found on the back of the MD driver license.

Talking Points and Discussion: This slide is a brief quiz about the important points in the drug/alcohol section. 88

Why drive Safely? It is much cheaper. How much did this class cost?

How much did your ticket cost?

How much did your insurance costs go up?

How much did your lawyer cost?

How much does your time cost?

Talking Points and Discussion:

The point of this slide is to get drivers to recognize that safe driving is not only better for them physically in terms of keeping them safe and allowing them to get where they need to get; it is also better for them financially.

Exercise: Divide the class into small groups. Since the average wage in Maryland is $15 per hour and most people work between 30 – 40 hours per week if they are not in school and 15 -20 if they are, each group should have between 89

CHOOSE TO BE SAFE: OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT

Transitional Slide 90

Since 2004, one person has died, on average, every hour of every day because of speeding.

Talking Points and Discussion:

According to a 2017 NHTSA report on speeding, since 2004 more than 10,000 people have died every year as a result of speeding.

Even when fatalities fluctuate, speeding remains a constant problem for crashes and fatalities.

For additional information: Report on speeding and crashes: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding

For additional information about speeding and speeding related statistics: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Documents/2017-DCA15SS002-BMG-Abstract.pdf 91

Why is Speeding a Problem?

Talking Points and Discussion Questions: The higher speed, the less time to react. The more distance traveled before stopping. As we discussed previously at 25 mph, it will take most drivers 27 feet to react and almost 62 feet to come to a complete stop. At 40 mph, those distances double.

Why do higher speeds create worse crashes? While higher rates of speed do not necessarily increase the number of crashes, they do increase the severity of a crash when it occurs. Because of the magnitude of the forces unleashed in a car crash, the greater the speed, the greater the forces. So in a twenty five mph crash, a much smaller force will be acting on the vehicle occupants than at a 65 mph crash.

92

The higher the speed, the less time to react

The higher the speed, the more distance traveled before stopping

The higher the speed, the harder the impact

The higher the speed, the worse the crash

Talking Points and Discussion:

Questions about the video are on the following slide. 93

Why is Speeding a Problem? According to the video, what are the significant problems with even a slight increase in speed? Greater distance to slow or stop vehicle at higher speeds. More distance will be covered before a driver can react successfully to any situation. More damage done to vehicle and driver at higher speeds.

Talking Points and Discussion:

The question focuses on the video in the previous slide.

An instructor should focus on getting students to discuss the problems with exceeding the speed limit by even small amounts.

Greater distance to slow or stop vehicles.

94

Speed Matters For Every Road User.

Talking Points and Discussion

What is the impact of speed on pedestrians and other road users?

While speeding on highways is dangerous to drivers, speeding on urban and neighborhood roads is even more dangerous.

The chart above illustrates the threat drivers pose to pedestrians.

Pedestrians fatalities are one type of fatality that continues to increase.

For additional information about pedestrian fatalities: https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html

95

Speeding is expensive. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding related crashes across the US cost over $200 Billion dollars annually.

Talking Points and Discussion:

For additional information about the cost of speeding related crashes:

Please got to https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812013 which includes a 2015 updates of all information. 96

Choose to be safe. Every Trip. Every Time. Monitor your speed. Follow traffic control devices and lane markings. Always wear your safety belt. Never drive impaired by drugs or alcohol. Focus on driving task, not on the phone. Stay calm.

Talking Points and Discussion:

Before clicking through the list, have students develop a list of five ways they could be safer drivers.

Discuss how each thing would make them safer.

97

Be safe. Every time. Every Trip: Monitor your speed

Where would a driver find these posted speed limits?

Residential

Suburban/ Urban/Rural Roads Suburban/ Urban/Rural Roads Highway/ Interstate Interstate/ Expressway

Rural Interstate

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

While each of these will be discussed in greater detail as the class progresses, it is important to discuss each type of road and what the speed limits are and why they are set at the particular limits.

Why are particular speed limits set in particular places?

Risks and possible hazards in each environment.

Increased braking time at increased speeds makes it essential to limit speeds in high risk areas.

Discuss with the class what the characteristics and risks of each type of road is. Residential – everything in a neighborhood becomes a possible risk Urban/rural roads have a variety of different speed limits. Why are speed limits different on different types of roads? Highways & interstates have higher speed limits. Why are limits higher on these roads? How do high speed limits impact safe driving on these roads?

Please note that the speed limit has been raised in some sections of I-70 to 70mph. While the speed limit has been raised, it is important to stress to new drivers that speed contributes to many crashes for new drivers. Fatal accidents are much more likely at 70 than they are 55 mph.

Ver 3.21.2017

Monitor Your Speed

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

What is an absolute limit? That means that a driver is not allowed to exceed the limit for any reason.

Limit should be adjusted for bad weather or other road conditions that make going the posted speed limit dangerous.

Special limits may be enforced for work zones, school zones, or emergency traffic incidents.

This is also known as the Basic Speed Law. Ver 3.21.2017

Choose to be Safe: Wear your seat belt Every trip Seat Belt Fact or Fiction

I am safer if thrown clear of the car in a crash.

If the car catches fire or is submerged in water, I cannot get out.

Seat belts hurt you in a crash more than they help.

On average, more than 120 UNBELTED DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS are killed every year in Maryland.

Approximately 38 PERCENT OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS killed in motor vehicle crashes are unbelted.



Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

These three myths are some of the most common reasons given for not wearing a safety belt. Allow class to discuss each “myth” before moving on to the next one.

I am safer if thrown clear of a vehicle in a crash. Being thrown safely clear in a crash is almost impossible. May be thrown through the windshield, scraped along the pavement, or even crushed by your own vehicle or another one. Idea of being thrown from a car and gently landing in a grassy area beside the road is pure fantasy. Best option in a crash is to stay inside the vehicle, securely held by your seat belt.

If the car catches fire or is submerged in water, I will not be able to get out. Crashes involving fire or water happen in only 1/2 of one percent of all crashes. When they do occur, the best chance of survival rests in remaining conscious, uninjured, and in full possession of your faculties. Greatest danger is with the impact that precedes the fire or submersion in water. If you're not using a seat belt, it's very likely that you will be knocked unconscious or severely injured. If you're belted, it's very likely you will be able to unbuckle yourself and get out of a potential fire or submerged car situation.

Seatbelts can hurt you in a crash. Properly worn seat belts seldom cause injuries. Injuries are usually surface bruises and are generally less severe than would have been the case without any belt. Sometimes the force of a crash is so great that nothing could have prevented injuries. Studies have consistently shown that injuries in most serious crashes would have been much more severe had seat belts not been worn. Workbook: Please note that the workbook pages 3.9 – 3.10 are factsheets that support the information about seat belts, car seats, and their use. Please use these factsheets to stimulate discussion about safety belts and the need to wear them 100% of the time.

100

Choose to be Safe: Wear your seat belt Every trip Now that you know to wear a belt, how do you properly wear a safety belt ? Place lap belt snugly across hips. Adjust center post mounting for height, if vehicle is so equipped. Belt over top of shoulder and across center of chest to distribute force in the event of a crash. Keep seat back in upright position to avoid sliding out of the seat in a frontal crash.

Talking Points and Discussion Questions

1)Go through each of the points above, explaining the correct way to wear a seatbelt.

2) After each point, discuss with the class why the position of the seat belt is critical to safety.

101

Choose to be safe: Never Drive Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol IF YOU PLAN TO DRINK, PLAN NOT TO DRIVE

Make a plan BEFORE you leave the house. Why?

Make a contract with a responsible person before you leave home. Why?

Give someone you trust the honor of being your sober driver. Why?

Call a cab or Uber it. Why?

Talking Points and Discussion Questions:

The first and best decision is to not drink at all if you plan to drive.

If you are 21 or older, make to drive safely before you leave the house. You are much more likely to keep your plans if they are made in advance and in place before you leave the house.

Please see Worksheet 9.2; this is a contract between you and your parent/guardian. It allows you to call someone if you are in a difficult position and have them come get you. While you may not be free of any penalties, this agreement will at least give you and your parent a cooling off period. It also gives you a simple and discreet way to get help.

Make sure that the person who is your designated or sober driver agrees not to drink all evening. You should also make sure that your sober driver has had enough rest. Sleepy or fatigued driving frequently mimics the effect of drunk driving. If your sober driver has been up for 18 or more hours, he/she is driving with an impairment similar to someone with a BAC of .10.

Call a cab or uber. A state by state listing of all sober rides can be found at http://duijusticelink.aaa.com/for-the-public/aaas-role/public-education/sober-ride

102

Under 21? : Zero Tolerance

103

Choose to be safe: Focus on the Driving Task Driving is risky; things happen in the blink of an eye. You must keeps your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road. And most importantly, keep your mind on the task at hand.

Talking Points and Discussion:

This slide reviews what a driver should do to remain alert and focused when driving. 104

Choose to be safe: Stay Calm, Not Aggressive The more emotional you are when driving, the less focused you are. Whether you are angry or overjoyed, emotions diminish your concentration. If you are going to stay mad or even stay glad, stay home. Remember, aggressive thoughts lead to aggressive actions.

Talking Points and Discussion:

This is a review of what a driver needs to do to avoid being aggressive. 105

Choose to be Safe. Every Time. Every trip.

Do you know anyone who drives? So you can go home to the people you love.

106