STOP! Stack the Blocks Activity

This activity helps students visualize the longer stopping distances that are needed when traveling at high speeds and the risk high speeds pose for new drivers. 

 Items Needed

• Set of 100 blocks or downloadable block grid (print one for each player). You can also use Post-it notes (1 = 10 feet) 
• Markers, if using a downloadable block grid
• Set of activity cards, printed back and front. You can also create scenarios with additional factors, like road grade and condition, by using the Omnicalculator stopping distance calculator. 

 Steps

1. Set up your activity table/station by having a hard surface for people to stack blocks or complete grid.
2. Choose one person to be the activity facilitator who will read the scenarios.
3. Invite peers to play a game and give activity instructions:
   • Player Instructions: You will be given a driving scenario, and it is up to you to guess the stopping distance in feet so you can safely prevent an impact. The way you’ll guess the stopping distance is by stacking blocks (or coloring in the grid), where each block represents 10 feet. So, if your scenario is “You are traveling 10 miles per hour and you see a piece of metal in the road, how many feet would it take you to stop?” You would stack 2 blocks to display a stopping distance of 20 feet. 
4. When players are done with their guess, show them the correct answer. Ask a few questions to get players thinking about speeding behaviors, such as:
   • Have you been in a crash or close call as a driver and had to slam on the brakes? 
   • Have you been a passenger when the driver had to stop quickly? 
   • Have you been a pedestrian when a car coming towards you slammed on the brakes? 
   • Talk about how road conditions, weather, and road design can impact speed and encourage your peers to slow down accordingly. For example, at 75 mph, the stopping distance nearly doubles to 900 feet for wet pavement conditions. 
   • What about the condition and size of the vehicle? How can worn-out tires, brakes, and even the weight of a vehicle make stopping distances even greater?
   • How does this impact the way you think about speed and stopping? 
5. Reward players with a speed-related TDS outreach item from your resource kit. 
6. Let a new set of players play a different scenario or play another round with the same group. You can also make it a contest where different teams try to guess the correct answer. 
7. Submit an online activity form at t-driver.com to get credit for completing a Speeding Unit focused activity.

Don’t Forget

• Take pictures of the activity and post them to social tagging @teensdriverseat.

 Make it GREAT

• Pair this activity with the No Need for Speed bulletin board kit found in your educational toolkit and the downloadable Let’s Talk…Speeding discussion guide.