Course Outline
All Traffic Education programs offered by Seattle Public Schools
offer a minimum of 30 hours of classroom time and 6
hours of behind
the wheel driving.
Classroom Performance
Objectives
Day 1
To understand
- individual program responsibilities and opportunities
- the schedule and procedures for the course
- course requirements and grading system
- reasons for traffic safety education
- how to get a driver learning permit
- the nature of the driving task
- the highway transportation system (HTS)
- occupant protection
Day 2
To understand
- procedures for starting the engine; moving the car forward;
slowing and stopping; controlled braking; and backing
- right of way, defensive and legal driving practices at
uncontrolled intersections and on residential streets
- stopping distances and legal and defensive requirements for
stopping
Day 3
To understand
- the 3 lane positions; targeting; reference points for the
front, rear, left and right of the vehicle
- various vehicle characteristics
- right-of-way laws, reference points, lane position, targeting
and proper procedure for left and right turns
Day 4
To understand
- maneuvering in limited space: uphill and downhill parking;
backing around a corner; U-turn; Y-turn; angle parking; back-in
perpendicular parking; parallel parking
- legal requirements for maneuvers
- reference points and targeting for maneuvers
Take Test 1
Day 5
To be able to identify
- traffic signs and signals
- pavement markings
To understand
- safe driving in construction zones
- overtaking and meeting a school bus
- the need for traffic laws and penalties
- vehicle characteristics with regard to the laws of physics,
including force of impact and occupant protection
Day 6
To understand
- the SEAttle Method of defensive driving
- minimizing, separating and compromising
- non-complex management of time and space
- managing space and areas between vehicles and other hazards at
intersections
Day 7
To understand
- using the SEAttle Method at intersections
- special hazards involved with motorcycles and mopeds
- skills to interact with non-motorized users of the roadway
including bicycle and pedestrian safety and right-of-way laws
- legal requirements regarding emergency vehicles
Take Test 2
Day 8
To understand
- special hazards involved in driving in complex traffic
environments such as downtown Seattle
- skills for driving on one-way streets
- space, speed and lane position requirements at complex
intersections
- dangers involved with railroad crossings
- extra dangers associated with driving on secondary roads and in
rural areas
- following, being followed, passing and being passed when
driving in rural areas and on mountain roads
Day 9
To understand
- drive in adverse weather with reduced traction and roadway
variations and conditions
- brake and control skids with both ABS and regular braking
systems
- special problems involved with large trucks, buses and
trailers
- dangers associated with railroad crossings
Day 10
To understand
- freeway driving procedures
- control space on high speed roadways
- handle vehicle malfunctions and failures
- hazards and legal requirements driving with limited visibility
and at night
Day 11
To understand
- danger signs of falling asleep at the wheel
- how aggressive driving and road rage develop and how to
respond
- internal factors, such as emotions and attitudes, affect
driving performance
Take Test 3
Day 12
To understand how
- alcohol and other drugs affect the body and driving
performance
To understand
- laws concerning alcohol and drugs and driving
- consequences to the Transportation System by people who drink
and drive or use other drugs and drive
- costs and penalties involved if found guilty of an alcohol
violation
Day 13
To understand how
- legal prescription and over-the-counter drugs affect the body
and driving performance
To understand
- legal requirements involving insurance and collisions including
post-crash responsibilities
- accident procedure and bystander care
- legal responsibilities and procedures regarding owning,
licensing and registering of vehicles
Day 14
To understand
- the need for fuel conservation
To understand how to
- conserve natural resources in relation to vehicles and how to
recycle automotive products responsibilities
- plan trips to travel destinations
- preventative maintenance and car inspections
- basic mechanics involving how a motor vehicle operates
- legal responsibilities and procedures regarding buying, owning,
licensing and registering of vehicles
Take Test 4 (final test)
Day 15 (last day)
To review
- Driver Guide written and driving tests
- the problem of drinking and driving
- the importance of seat belts in preventing death and
injury
To understand
- needed improvements in the highway transportation system
Receive certificate of completion
Behind-the-wheel
Lessons
Lesson 1
- pre-drive procedures
- starting the engine
- moving forward
- slowing and stopping the car
- securing the car
- pulling to and away from a curb
- lane control
- backing the car
- left and right turns
- speed control
- uncontrolled intersections
- reference points
Lesson 2
- up and downhill parking
- pulling to and away from a curb
- parallel and angle parking
- backing
- u-turn
- left and right turns
- lane control
- speed control; slowing and stopping the car
- reference points and target areas
Lesson 3
- review of maneuvers
- scan-evaluate-act in moderate traffic
- defensive driving
- controlled intersections
- following distances
- lane changing and lane control
- traffic lights
- signs and controls
- right-of way
- review of maneuvers
Lesson 4
- scan-evaluate-act in moderate traffic
- defensive driving
- following distances
- lane changing and lane control
- traffic lights
- signs and controls
- review of maneuvers
Lesson 5
- freeway driving
- entering and exiting limited access roads
- emergency procedures: stuck accelerator and stalled engine
- general review
Lesson 6
- final on-street evaluation and test
Other topics:
Traffic Education
1330 North 90th Street, Building 400, Room 404
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 252-4735
gemiller@seattleschools.org
