TRAFFIC SAFETY
These were the REQUIREMENTS before the REVISIONS
made when a new pamphlet was issued during 2006
To see the current requirements
Click Here
REQUIREMENTS had previously been COMPLETELY REWRITTEN
and issued in the middle of 2001.
Click here for the previous
requirements
- Do the following:
- Make a scrapbook containing 10 newspaper articles about
serious traffic crashes. Prepare a summary table of facts
in the articles indicating the number of people injured,
the number killed, type of crash (single vehicle, head-on
collision, etc.), time of occurrence, age of the driver,
whether alcohol or drugs were involved, use of safety belts,
and any other factors that were reported to have contributed
to the crash (weather conditions, fatigue, construction,
etc.). Discuss how these crashes could have been prevented.
- Describe how alcohol affects the human body and why
this is a problem for safely driving a motor vehicle. Research
the legal blood alcohol concentration in your state and
the consequences for driving while intoxicated.
- Describe at least four factors to be considered when
an engineer designs a road or highway. Explain how roadside
hazards and road conditions contribute to the occurrence
and seriousness of traffic crashes.
- Explain why a driver who is fatigued should not operate
a motor vehicle. Describe how volunteer drivers can plan
to be alert when transporting Scouting participants.
- Do the following:
- Identify the different types of occupant restraint systems
used in motor vehicles. Describe how they work and their
purpose for safety. Demonstrate how to properly wear lap
and shoulder belts. Explain why it is important for drivers
and passengers to wear safety belts at all times.
- List five safety features found in motor vehicles besides
occupant restraint systems. Describe each feature, how each
works, and how each contributes to safety.
- Do the following to show your knowledge of car care for
safety maintenance:
- Using your family car or another vehicle, demonstrate
that all lights and lighting systems in the vehicle are
working. Describe the function and explain why each type
of light is important to safe driving.
- Using your family car or another vehicle, demonstrate
how to check tire pressure and identify the correct tire
pressure for the vehicle. Explain why proper tire pressure
is important to safe driving.
- Demonstrate a method to check for adequate tire tread.
Explain why proper tread is important to safe driving.
- Demonstrate with a smear-and-clear test if the windshield
wiper blades will clear the windshield completely or need
to be replaced. Describe instances in good and bad weather
when windshield washers are important to safe driving.
- Do the following:
- In a location away from traffic hazards, measure with
a tape measure - not in a car - and mark off with stakes
the distance that a car will travel during the time needed
for decision and reaction, and the braking distances necessary
to stop a car traveling 30, 50, and 70 miles per hour on
dry, level pavement. Discuss how environmental factors such
as bad weather and road conditions will affect the distance.
- Demonstrate the difference in nighttime visibility between
a properly lit bicycle and rider (or a pedestrian) wearing
reflective material and a bicycle and rider with no lights
(or a pedestrian) dressed in dark clothing, without reflective
material.
- Make a chart of standard traffic signs. Explain how
color and shape are used to help road users recognize and
understand the information presented. Explain the purpose
of different types of signs, signals, and pavement markings.
- Describe at least three examples of traffic laws that
apply to drivers of motor vehicles and that bicyclists must
also obey.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Interview a traffic law enforcement officer in your
community to identify what three traffic safety problems
the officer is most concerned about. Discuss with your merit
badge counselor possible ways to solve one of those problems.
- Initiate and organize an activity to demonstrate the
importance of traffic safety. Activities could include making
a traffic safety presentation before a school assembly,
to classes of younger students, or to another large group
of people; having a staged demonstration of the consequences
of a crash, working with the police and paramedics; organizing
a presentation to the students of your school by an emergency
room doctor and/or nurse to describe their experiences with
motor vehicle crash victims; organizing a clinic to demonstrate
safe bicycle riding and helmet use.
- Accompanied by an adult, pick a safe place to observe
traffic at a controlled intersection (traffic signal or
stop sign) and survey (1) such violations as running a red
light or stop sign; or (2) seat belt usage. Count the number
of violations or number of drivers not wearing a seat belt.
Record in general terms if the driver was young/old, male/
female. Discuss the findings with your merit badge counselor.
- Based on what you have learned so far, develop a checklist
for a safe trip. Share the checklist with your merit badge
counselor, and use the checklist whenever your family makes
a vehicle trip. Include on the list the responsibilities
of the driver and the passengers for before and during the
trip.
BSA Advancement ID#: 112
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2001
Requirements last revised in 2001
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Page updated on:
May 08, 2022
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