LESSON PLAN - NASRO



LESSON PLAN

FOR

CONDUCTING A UNIT OF INSTRUCTION

IN

BASIC RULES OF THE ROAD

PRESENTED

FOR

DRIVER’S EDUCATION CLASS

DAUPHIN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

PRESENTED

BY

OFFICER JOHN GALLUP

LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

FALL, 2003

HARRISBURG, PA

Unit Learning Goals

It is the goal of this unit of instruction to heighten awareness of Driver’s Education students to their rights and responsibilities they have as drivers under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.

Unit Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit of instruction, the students will:

1. Understand why convictions under the Vehicle Code do NOT require intent.

2. Understand basic rules of the road.

3. Know the “2 second” rule.

Unit Learning Plan

Method of Instruction

Lecture

Instructional Aids

Overhead transparencies and poster boards.

Method of Evaluation

Question and answer session

A. Time Allotted

Approximately 60 minutes.

Topical Outline

Introduction

Attention grabber – “It takes thousands of nuts to construct an automobile, but only one nut to scatter it all over the road.”

Introduce self and give work history and experiences.

Present unit goals and objectives.

Body

Intent

1. The design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act (i.e. admitted wounding him with intent).

2. The state of mind with which an act is done.

3. Intent is NOT an element of most offenses in the Vehicle Code. The violation need only be established to obtain a conviction.

Right of Way – Basically the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another.

1. Vehicle

Two vehicles approach an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time. “The driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.” (SS3321 a – Vehicle Approaching or Entering Intersection)

2. Pedestrian

When traffic signals are not in place or not in operation, “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection (can’t just step out). (SS 3542 a – Right–of-way of Pedestrian in Crosswalks)

A. Driving on the Right Side of the Roadway – This law requires a driver to, under most circumstances, drive their vehicle on the right half of the roadway (i.e. negotiating a left hand turn, curve/obstruction on/in roadway/ traffic control device indicates to drive to left of center “X” lights). (SS 3301 a)

B. Following Too Closely

1. This section prohibits drivers from following another vehicle closer than is “reasonable and prudent.” The driver has to consider speed and road conditions when determining safe following distance. SS 3310 a.

2. Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed- Requires that a driver shall NOT drive his vehicle at a speed greater than is “reasonable and prudent” under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, nor at a speed greater than will permit the driver to bring his vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead. This includes approaching/crossing intersection, railroad crossing, curves, hill crest or a narrow and winding road. SS 3361

3. The two (2) second rule – This is a rule that can be used by drivers to approximate a safe following distance. When the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of you crosses a certain visible point on the road, the following driver should be able to count to “two one-thousand” before the front of his car crosses the same point (PennDOT, Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation, even recommends a four (4) second rule).

C. Traffic-Control Signals – This section of the Vehicle Code requires that traffic facing a steady red signal stop at a clearly marked line or before entering the intersection or crosswalk. SS3112 a 3i.

1. Steady yellow – Slow, prepare to stop, light changing. NOT hit the gas and try and beat the light.

2. Flashing lights –

a. Yellow – Slow and proceed with caution.

b. Red – Stop, treat as a stop sign.

3. Unlighted (broken) signal – Treat as a stop sign, all directions.

D. Obedience to Traffic-Control Devices – This section requires drivers to obey the instructions of any applicable traffic-control device (U-turn, no turn on red, etc.). SS 3111 a

E. Stop Signs and Yield Signs

1. Stop Sign – Requires a driver to stop, completely, at a clearly marked stop line before entering a crosswalk, if present, or at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a clear view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. Shall also yield to traffic on the cross roadways, no stop sign, after stopping. SS 3323 b

2. Yield Sign – Requires a driver to slow down and/or stop to yield right-of-way to vehicles traveling on the intersecting roadway. SS 3323 c

F. Vehicle Turning Left – Requires a driver of a vehicle turning left onto or from a highway to yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic. SS 3322

G. Careless Driving – This section refers to a person who drives a vehicle with careless disregard for the safety of persons or property. This section is also used for enforcement of inattentive driving. This factor is prevalent in most accidents. Ask for some examples of inattentive driving. SS 3714

H. Racing on Highways – This section prohibits a person from driving his vehicle on a highway in any RACE, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record and no person shall in any manner participate in any race, competition, contest, test or exhibition. This section carries a $200.00 fine plus court costs. SS 3367 b

1. Drag Race – Operation of two (2) or more vehicles side-by-side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out distance each other.

2. Race – The use of one (1) or more vehicles in an attempt to out gain, out distance, prevent another vehicle from passing or to arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle.

I. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance – An adult is presumed to be DUI if his Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is .08% or greater. If the person is a minor, under the age of 21, he is presumed to be under the influence if his BAC is .02% or greater.

If an adult’s BAC is .05%, he can still be convicted along with other evidence (i.e. crash, driving performance, etc.).

J. Duty of Driver in Construction and Maintenance Areas or on Highway Safety Corridors – This section requires drivers yield right-of-way to any authorized vehicle or pedestrian engaged in working upon a highway within a construction/maintenance area. Drivers shall yield right-of-way to vehicles obviously and actually engaged in work whenever the vehicle displays flashing/revolving yellow lights. SS 3326 a/b

For drivers charged with violations in a construction zone, the fines are doubled. For example, if you are cited for 10 MPH (driving 50 MPH in a 40MPH zone) over the speed limit the normal fine would be $45.00, but in a construction zone it would be $90.00 plus $79.00 in costs and 2 points. 55 MPH in 40 MPH zone would be a fine of $55.00 regularly, but would then be $110.00 plus costs and a 15 day suspension. If you don’t have your lights on, that would be an additional citation and a fine of $50.00 plus costs.

K. Obedience to Authorized Persons Directing Traffic – Requires drivers to comply with any lawful order by authorized persons directing traffic. SS 3102

L. Points to Ponder:

1. Speed kills – You may be younger and your reflexes are faster, but nothing takes the place of experience (i.e. controlling a vehicle in a rear-end slid crash on Goose Valley Road).

2. Following Too Closely – Riding someone’s rear end, you don’t know what or when he or she might do something. PennDOT teaches a 4 second rule.

3. Check the “Blind Spot.” Look for an object, don’t try and identify it.

4. Turning your headlights on during inclement weather (rain, snow, etc.).

5. “It takes thousands of nuts to construct an automobile, but only one nut to scatter it all over the road.”

M. What to Do If You’re Pulled Over By Police

1. When you see the police vehicle behind you, activate your turn signal.

2. Pull your vehicle into a safe area to the right of the roadway.

3. Don’t pull over within an intersection or driveway.

4. Put vehicle in park.

5. Keep your hands on the steering wheel.

6. Turn off the radio.

7. Roll your window down.

8. Get your driver’s license, vehicle registration card and insurance card out when instructed to do so by the officer.

9. If at nighttime, turn on your interior light.

10. If you need to go into your glove compartment, let the officer know that.

N. What Should You Record If You Are in an Accident

1. Record the other driver’s license information, telephone number, registration information and insurance information (show poster boards of license etc. and show what to record from each).

2. Section 3744 of the PA Vehicle Code requires that a driver of a vehicle involved in an accident SHALL give his name, address, registration number and proof of insurance.

Summary

A. Understand the basic rules of the road.

B. Know the “2 second rule/ 4 second rule.”

C. Why “intent” is not required under the PA Vehicle Code.

D. Quiz, orally, on several sections.

Bibliography

1. Police Officers of Lower Paxton Township Police Department.

2. Gephart Driving School Instructors.

3. PA Vehicle Code.

4. PA Department of Transportation.

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