Unit 4 Lesson 2

Using Communication Skills to Save Lives

Opening Work:

• Review the laws pertaining to distracted driving that you were to research last night and answer the following reflection question

• Reflection Question: Do you think our state’s laws regarding distracted driving are adequate? Too severe? Too lenient? Explain your answer.

Behaviors that can keep us safe

• Never drive if you are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs a

• Always were your seat belt.• What do you already know about these two

issues???

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

Twenty-three percent of teenage drivers in fatal car crashes possessed a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level above the legal limit of .08.

Teenage drivers and passengers are among those least likely to wear their seatbelt.

Nationally in 2009, 3,349 teen passenger vehicle occupants, ages 16 to 20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and 56 percent (1,880) were unrestrained at the time of the fatal crash.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.gov

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

Twenty-eight percent of our nation’s teens rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol one or more times in the last month.

About 10% of our nation’s teens drove when drinking alcohol one or more times in the last month.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009 YRBS, http://www.cdc.gov

… you are a passenger and the person you are going to ride with has been drinking?

… you are a passenger and

don’t realize that the driver

has been drinking until

after the car is moving?

… you are a bystander and see someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs get behind the wheel of

the car?… you are a bystander

and see someone getting

into a car with a driver

who is under the

influence of alcohol or

drugs?

What

If…

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

Nonverbal Behaviors

o Remain calm.

o Demonstrate confidence.

o Talk in a friendly, relaxed way.

o Keep your voice at a normal speaking level.

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

Verbal Behaviors

o Speak honestly.

o Speak without hesitating or apologizing.

o When someone pressures you to do something you don’t want to do, say “No” clearly and directly. Then suggest another activity or walk away.

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

Verbal Behaviors

o Use simple “I-statements.” – Try this: “I disagree.”– Avoid this: “You’re wrong.”

o Expand the “I-statement” to express appreciation or tell someone if something bothers you

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

Verbal Behaviors

– Express appreciation

• Tell the person:

— What the person did

— How you feel about what he or she did

— What you liked about what the person did

• Try this: “Thanks for helping me with my math. I feel more confident that I’ll pass the test.”

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION

Verbal Behaviors

– Tell someone if something bothers you

• Tell the person:― What the person did― How you feel about what he or she did― The impact on you of what the person did― What you’d like the person to do instead 

• Try this: “When your part of the project wasn’t finished, I was angry. Our group grade will be lower than I had hoped. Next time, I hope you will finish your part on time.”

REFUSAL SKILLS

Nonverbal Behaviors• Calm down if you have strong feelings.

Verbal Behaviors• Say a direct “no.”• Say the same phrase over and over again.• Suggest another activity or change the subject.• Give a reason.• Walk away.

Here’s What to SaySituation #1: You are a passenger and the driver of the car you will be riding in has been drinking. You have your driver’s license. Ask if you can drive.

Situation #2: You realize too late that the driver you are riding with has been drinking. Ask the driver to stop.

Situation #3: You are a bystander and do not know the people involved. You want to stop a driver who has been drinking and his or her passenger from leaving in the car.

Homework:

• Investigate our state’s laws and the consequences for breaking the law(s) for:– Driving under the influence of alcohol or other

drugs – Not wearing a seat belt as a driver or passenger in

the front seat.