Assignment Topic: Distracted Driving

Rationale: In the United States, distracted driving is one of the five leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities. In New Jersey, distracted driving is the number one cause of fatal crashes, accounting for nearly a quarter of deadly motor vehicle crashes in the state. Learning about the dangers of distracted driving can help encourage others to be attentive and alert drivers, as well as help prevent crashes that lead to unintentional injury and death. With the wide use of smartphones in the United States, distracted driving has become an important traffic safety topic. While cell phones and navigation devices are often the culprit when it comes to distracted driving, conventional distractions such as interacting with passengers and eating also contribute to crashes. 

Objectives:

• Student will be able to identify the dangers of distracted driving in the state of New Jersey, and the impact that it has on motor vehicle-related fatalities.
• Student will be able to reflect on distracted driving and formulate safety precautions that drivers can take to avoid danger.
• Student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of distracted driving through research, reflection, and development of an information resource to encourage others to be safe, non-distracted drivers.

Standards:

• 2.3.12.PS.1: Apply a thoughtful decision-making process to evaluate situations and influences that could lead to healthy or unhealthy consequences (e.g., peers, media). 
• 2.3.12.PS.3: Summarize New Jersey motor vehicle laws and regulations, Safe Stops, and determine their impact on health and safety (e.g., organ/tissue donation, traffic safety, avoid driving distractors, seatbelt use, the use of hand-held devices). 
• 2.3.12.PS.9: Evaluate strategies to use social media safely, legally, and respectfully. 

Directions: 

Part 1

Using the resources below, or other trusted resources or websites of your choosing, conduct research on distracted driving in the state of New Jersey, as well as the NJMVC laws surrounding distracted driving. In a document, in a format of your choosing, locate and cite (with detail) the following information and respond to the following prompts:

• What is distracted driving? Use your OWN words - at least two (2) full sentences.
• What are the fines associated with distracted driving in New Jersey?
• Locate another state’s laws/fines for distracted driving. 
  • Compare these laws with New Jersey’s - how are they similar/different?
  • Formulate an opinion - which state’s laws are more appropriate for the offense?
• What are the rules/laws involving handheld devices for New Jersey drivers?
• What are risk factors that lead to the likelihood of people driving while distracted?

Potential resources:

• https://nj.gov/mvc/justdrive/
• https://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/distracted-driving.html
• https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/drivertopics/driversafe.htm
• https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/distracted-driving/

Part 2

Using the first link in the list above, scroll to the bottom and read through some of the real stories that New Jersey drivers have shared regarding their experiences with distracted drivers. Using what you learned in your research from Part 1, as well as thoughts formed from reading these stories, reflect on the following in a 2-3 paragraph essay:

• Describe your feelings toward distracted driving and the impact that it has on the New Jersey population.
• Why do you think distracted driving is such a big problem in the state of New Jersey?
• What are specific precautions that people can take to avoid distracted driving? 
• How can teens educate their peers, siblings and parents on the dangers of distracted driving? Be specific in the steps teens can take.
• How can social media play a positive role in reducing distracted driving among New Jersey drivers, or even drivers across the nation?

Part 3

Time to get creative! Using the information found from your research on distracted driving, as well as your own personal knowledge/experiences, you will create a resource to help others understand the dangers of distracted driving as well as the importance of “just driving.” Include statistics, risks, and precautions for distracted driving in your resource. You may choose one of the following formats: 

• Create a public service announcement (PSA) video (either using real people or animations)
• Develop an informational flier (using Google Doc, Canva, or another creative platform)
• Create an informational slideshow with audio voice overs

Provide a list of your resources along with the above tasks in a comprehensive document.

Grading: Your assignment will be evaluated on the following:

• Completion of all assignment requirements.
• Use of accurate and up-to-date information.
• Creativity – formatting, aesthetic, and design.
• Submission of the assignment to your teacher’s email by Friday of the week assigned.

Based on the above items, your grade will be placed in the gradebook in lieu of your “participation” for the week.