Automobiles & Driving Safety

Going beyond basic training, this video takes driving students into the real world-where road conditions are not always favorable. NASCAR celebrity David Reutimann examines a wide range of environments containing potential driving hazards, including tunnels, bridges, mountain roads, rough or uneven terrain, and harsh weather. Featuring detailed procedures for coping with rain, snow, icy surfaces, wind, fog, and extreme heat, the program also describes how to recover from skids, hydroplaning, and fishtailing; how to safely and correctly change a flat tire; the best strategies for driving at night; the ABS system; and the importance of routine maintenance and insurance. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. Correlates to National Health Education Standards: Achieving Health Literacy; Joint Committee for National School Health Education and the American Cancer Society; and National Educational Technology Standards. A Meridian Production. (21 minutes)

You're driving along and suddenly hit a patch of glare ice and start to skid. What do you do? You drive into a severe thunderstorm and water is left standing on the road. Do you adjust your driving in any way? You suddenly encounter thick fog on the highway and can't see beyond your headlights. Should you switch on your high beams? These and many other situations are discussed and demonstrated as we watch a new driver experience some unpleasant surprises. An excellent way of experiencing common weather-related driving problems from the point of view of the driver! A Meridian Production. (17 minutes)

Viewers witness common driving behaviors like tailgating, not using turn signals, cutting cars off, and other inconsiderate behavior, from inside as well as outside the car. Not only do viewers see how dangerous such behavior can be, but experts give insight into how some incidents can escalate into violence. The SAFE process is explained and demonstrated: Scan, Anticipate, Figure, Execute. This is an excellent perspective for all new drivers and a good refresher for experienced ones! A Meridian Production. (15 minutes)

A drive to the mall should never be a race-but it does require mental alertness, physical coordination, and respect for every other driver on the road. NASCAR winner David Reutimann shares his expertise in all those areas as host of this dynamic, highly informative three-part series. A strong foundation for safety-oriented driving education, Reutimann's guidance emphasizes that driving can be a fun, positive experience; that it is a privilege, not a right; and that the most important piece of driving equipment is between the ears. Viewable/printable instructor's guides are available online. Correlates to National Health Education Standards: Achieving Health Literacy; Joint Committee for National School Health Education and the American Cancer Society; and National Educational Technology Standards. A Meridian Production. 3-part series, 21 minutes each.

This video, written by a college law professor, puts your students in the jury box. At a teen party, Kevin urges Amy to go on a beer run." Mike goes with her. There is an accident and Mike is paralyzed for life. He sues both Amy and Kevin. The video moves quickly, interrupting the testimony with party scenes and a "Jaws of Life" rescue. A doctor testifies to the extent of Mike's injury. Mike describes his life in a wheelchair, and Amy talks about her life in jail. She ends by explaining how the accident has cost her parents their life savings. After the video, your students must decide the case. Their verdict is not important, but their discussion is. A Discovery Channel Production. (25 minutes)"

New drivers seem to learn very quickly about tickets, suspended licenses, and even a day in court, yet few appear to dwell much on safety. The fact is, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among teens. This program opens a potentially lifesaving teen-to-teen dialogue on driving-related tragedies involving drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Strong images of totaled cars, powerful mortality statistics, and firsthand stories of real car wrecks with severe consequences carry the unmistakable message that driving is no joyride. The stakes are just too high for that. (21 minutes)

Too many miles...too much money...too many rust spots...and...can I really live with neon orange?" Finding, much less affording a reliable used car can be a giant exercise in frustration. There's so much to think about! Breathe a sigh of relief. This video provides clear-cut, specific information for the experienced as well as inexperienced car shopper. Don't know where to look? This video offers a number of options, some you may not have thought of, giving the pros and cons of each. It covers what to check when you find that special pre-owned vehicle that has potential-should you really kick the tires? And finally, this video discusses the financial part of the deal as well as the "legal stuff" to take care of when buying a car. A must for drivers of all ages to avoid future headaches. A Meridian Production. (21 mnutes)"

This program brings the real-life consequences of mixing alcohol with driving into the classroom. Hard-hitting footage helps young adults realize the consequences of drunk driving, for the victim and the driver. Bereaved parents and friends, permanently disabled victims, and young inmates convicted of vehicular homicide explore the relationship between alcohol, death, and prison. Members of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving), and CAR (Convicts After Recovery) discuss how the thoughtless act of driving drunk impacts people's lives. A Cambridge Educational Production. (26 minutes)

Ten major safety organizations contributed to this test of what every responsible driver should know. Twenty-five dramatized questions, introduced by popular television and sports personalities, probe a wide range of driving rules and tactics. Correct answers, and the reasons behind them, follow each question. A Discovery Channel Production. (32 minutes)

This program presents 25 questions that cover an extensive variety of driving situations including: driving near trucks, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; approaching an accident or debris in the roadway; using seat belts; making lane changes; identifying traffic signs; handling skids and engine malfunctions; and driving under the influence. As viewers respond to the questions, they score points if they've answered correctly. At the program's conclusion, the total points acquired will give viewers an excellent indication about their own driving ability. Hosted by Robert Urich. A Discovery Channel Production. (33 minutes)

Tailgating, making rude gestures, and cutting other cars off are only three of the ways that drivers exhibit aggressive behavior-behavior that can provoke road rage, a growing factor in automobile injuries and fatalities. This program spotlights a wide variety of potentially explosive driving situations in order to help students recognize the warning signs of road rage in others and in themselves. Experts offer insights into why normally capable drivers sometimes go berserk, while police officers discuss how others who share the road can avoid becoming their victims. A Meridian Production. (22 minutes)

Each day, thousands of unnecessary dollars are transferred from the pockets of novice consumers into the pockets of highly trained, professional car salespeople. This informative program portrays car buying as a three-act play and coaches buyers on how to most effectively act out their role in the drama: researching, negotiating, and closing the purchase. The key to saving thousands of dollars on every car purchase lies in learning how to be a smart consumer by entering the process as an investigator armed with relevant information and a total understanding of the roles played by buyers and sellers. Viewers learn what information they should have before walking onto a car lot: where to get this information; how to take and keep control of the sale; tips for driving away with the best car, price, and terms available. A Cambridge Educational Production. (38 minutes)