Course Description:  

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to Florida’s driving laws/rules of the road and safe driving behavior, and to strategies that will develop driving knowledge and skills related to today’s and tomorrow’s motorized society. It will also provide an in-depth study of the contributing factors to vehicle crashes and their solutions. The content will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Meaning and responsibilities of a Driver License
• Laws that govern the operation of a motor vehicle
• Knowledge of Florida’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws
• Vehicle control and traffic procedures
•  Knowledge of sharing the road with other types of vehicles and vulnerable road users
•  Defensive driving strategies
•  Physical and mental factors that affect driving ability
•  Effects of alcohol and other drugs on driving performance

Special note:

This course includes laboratory activities. Specifically driving in our school parking lot and on local roads and highways.

Objectives:

After successfully completing this course, the student will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of traffic laws and safe driving.
  • Describe, interpret, and obey traffic signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, and zones of caution.
  • Describe and demonstrate basic vehicle control, including control of motion and direction, and basic maneuvers.
  • Identify situations where the driver of a motor vehicle must yield right-of-way.
  • Describe and demonstrate the safe operation and interaction (safe following distances, when to stop/yield right of way) with other motor vehicles including commercial vehicles, trains, and school buses.
  • Describe specific laws and demonstrate safe driving behavior when interacting with vulnerable road users: pedestrians; bicyclists; and motorcyclists.
  • Describe laws related to speeding, as well as penalties for racing on the highway.
  • Describe situations where vehicle speed must be adjusted for road and weather conditions.
  • Describe the need for identifying potential hazards in traffic, making predictions about possible occurrences, making safe decisions for action based on minimum risk, and demonstrate the appropriate execution of these decisions.
  • Describe Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Zero Tolerance, and Implied Consent laws and the consequences for non-compliance.
  • Define all components of Florida’s Graduated Driver Licensing laws.
• Understand all preparations necessary to drive a motor vehicle.
  • Describe the importance of vehicle maintenance for safe and efficient operation (e.g., tire safety, checking for vehicle recalls, window and mirror requirements, etc.). Demonstrate a pre-trip vehicle inspection (tire pressure and wear; checking fluids, mirrors, etc.).
  • Describe the cost of owning, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
  • Describe the requirements for compliance with insurance laws that apply to drivers as well as owners of motor vehicles.
  • Describe the laws, value, and demonstrate the use of occupant vehicle restraints (seat belts and child restraints).
  • Describe the categories of distracted driving, Florida’s texting laws, and identify caution zones where “hands-free” device use is required.
  • Describe the effects of alcohol and other drugs (legal/prescribed or illegal) on driving.
  • Describe the effects of attitudes and emotions on driving decisions (e.g., road rage, aggressive driving, etc.).
  • Describe how drowsy driving can impact one’s ability to operate a motor vehicle.
  • Describe and demonstrate the maneuvers required for the driving skills exam.
• Understand how to interact with law enforcement in traffic and special situations.
  • Describe Florida’s Move Over law.
  • Describe how to interact with law enforcement during a traffic stop.
  • Describe and demonstrate how to handle situations where a traffic signal is not operating (when law enforcement is directing traffic and when law enforcement is not present).
  • Describe the legal responsibilities at the scene of/or after a crash.
• Understand how to drive and react in emergency situations.
• Describe and demonstrate the skills required to effectively control and take proper actions in emergency situations to avoid a collision or minimize the impact if unavoidable.
• Describe how to react in situations specifically related to Florida weather/conditions, such as hydroplaning, approaching a flooded road, escaping a submerged vehicle, etc.
  
  
  

Students will be required to complete weekly assignment modules and assessments on the topics listed above in Blackboard. The Due Date for each weekly Learning Module will be 1:00pm on Friday. The weekly Learning Modules will not be accepted for credit more than 7 days beyond the Due Date. Students who have not completed the prior week’s Learning Module by the Due Date or do not have a grade of 60 or higher FOCUS will be ineligible for practice driving time during the following week.

Using Modern Technology (Internet)

Students will complete online Learning Modules covering the Driver Education standards set forth by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

If your son / daughter is interested in enrolling in our driver's education program, please visit our school guidance counselors.

Websites

https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdf

https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/practice-test/