Site icon Teens in the Driver Seat

Let’s Talk… Speeding

Andrea Chacon
This activity will help you facilitate a guided discussion with your peers to address their attitudes and behaviors around speeding and starts a conversation about the negative effect speed has on car crashes and how teens can speak up for their safety.

 Items Needed
  • Let’s Talk… Speeding Discussion Guide (HS) (JH)
  • Stop! Stack the Blocks activity (optional – available for check-out from your regional representative).

 Steps
  1. Before your group discussion, review the included reference materials and visit the listed additional resources to ensure you are knowledgeable on the subject.
  2. Plan out your discussion using these suggested conversation starters and talking points:
    • Conversation starters:
      • In your opinion, what’s one reason you or others drive over the posted speed limit?
      • High School: Have you gotten a speeding ticket before?
      • Junior High: Has your mom/dad/sibling/friend gotten a speeding ticket before?
    • Talking points:
      • Share speed-related statistics related to young drivers
      • Discuss how speed affects a driver’s ability to stop
      • Define Stopping Distance: Thinking Distance + Braking Distance
        • What affects Thinking Distance (reaction time)
          • Tiredness
          • Distractions (phones, music, passengers, etc)
          • Impairment
        • What affects Braking Distance?
          • Weather
          • Road condition
          • Tires
          • Vehicle weight
          • Speed
      • Use the Stop! Stack the Blocks activity (optional) to illustrate the effect of speed on stopping distance.
      • Discuss changes you can make as young drivers or passengers to break the deadly cycle of speed-related crashes.
      • Challenge your peers to pledge to watch their speed when driving and to speak up when they see others speeding.
  3. Additional Resources:
  4. Post photos of your group discussion on your social media channels to further promote the message of safe driving and tag @teensdriverseat so we can see your great work, too.
  5. Submit an online activity form at t-driver.com to get credit for your efforts.

Don’t Forget
The goal of this activity is to have an easy-to-manage but educational conversation to help you and your peers learn more about the impact of speed on car crashes and to begin a dialogue on ways to speak up for your safety.

 Make it GREAT
  • Make sure to post the No Need for Speedbulletin board materials (included in your resource kit) in a prominent place on campus to compliment your discussion.
  • Check out the Stop! Stack the Blocks activity from your regional representative to use during your group discussions to illustrate the effect of speed on stopping distance.
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