Text: Responsible Driving, Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2000.

Purpose:
This course is intended to develop a thorough understanding of the highway transportation systems, the driving task, traffic problems, factors contributing to the performance of highway users and knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for competence. It will also provide the foundation for the prospective teacher to develop the ability to organize and deliver classroom instruction pertaining to driving and traffic safety.

Class Procedures:
Lectures (including guest experts), group discussion, driver task analysis, practice teaching, written performance evaluations, videos and worksheets will all be used to prepare students to deal with the difficulty task of teaching driving skills. Problem solving skills, teaching method, and instructional skills will be topics of role playing before students are placed in real life situations.

Topics:
Introduction and Class Procedures
Virginia Requirments and Procedures for obtaining a license and driving
Traffic Laws--National and State (Guest Lecture).
Responsibilities of Owning and Operating a Vehicle
Understanding and using the "SEE-it" system
Traffic Control Devices
Highway Transportation System
Knowing your vehicle
Vehicle Control Skills and Habits
Basic Maneuvers
Basic driving skills
Turning and parking
Driving environments
Manual Shift Vehicles
Management of Time and Space
Natural laws
Interacting with Others
Adverse Conditions
Knowing yourself
Social pressure
Keeping Fit to Drive--Substance Abuse, DWI/DUI, Emotions, fatigue, etc.
Distractions
Consumer's Guide to Trouble-Free and Economical Driving; including tips on buying a car (Guest Lecture)
Sharing the road
Trip Planning, Calculating Distances and Map Reading
Loading, Towing and Driving Special Vehicles
Emergencies, Accidents, Safety Devices, Design, Features and Equipment-- exam wrecked autos (field Trip).
Collisions and Insurance--what to do. (Guest Lecture)
Basic Repair and Maintenance; including how to select a mechanic (Guest Lecture).
Mechanical Emergences and Changing a Tire

Grading:

Standard A=90%, B=80% etc.  of total points.

Approximant points to be included:

Assignments                      50pts
Tests                                  100pts
Class Presentations          200pts
Resource Manuals            100pts

Class Presentations:
Students will be assigned topics to be presented in class. Students are expected to thoroughly research their assigned topics and treat this as an actual "teaching situation."  These presentations will be evaluated by class members as well as the instructor.

The Honor Code:
Student Adherence to the honor code is required for this and all RU academic Activities.