This unit provides young people with example scenarios of unsafe passengers and drivers, along with strategies to help them if they find themselves in similar situations.

https://vimeo.com/439237954

Password: NRMAYD1

https://www.research.net/r/HSUNIT5

1. List 3 ways that passengers can be helpful to the driver.
   

2. List 3 ways that a passenger could make a driver feel unsafe.
   

3. One day you might find yourself in a car with a driver who is acting recklessly. In the second video, describe the atmosphere (feeling) in the car.
   

4. Explain why someone might make the decision to not speak up when they are feeling unsafe in a car.
   

5. Suggest 2 statements you can use to convince a driver to stop, if you are feeling unsafe.
   

6. In one paragraph, reflect on a time that you may have been a distraction as a passenger in a car. What did you do that was distracting? How could you make sure you are not a distraction in the future?
   

7. Name one thing that you learnt from Unit 5: In my car that you will share with your friends/family.
   

8. Do you feel like you have a better understanding of your responsibilities as a driver to keep yourself and others safe after completing Unit 5?
   

9. Has completing Unit 5 increased your confidence to make an informed decision about your safety?

A house with four people getting ready to go out for a night out.

David: Right, you guys ready?

Three friends continue talking and drinking. Doorbell rings. Dave answers it. There is a girl at the door.

Party Planner: Hi I’m the party planner.

David: The party planner? We are just going to the party?

Party Planner: You’re David right?

Next to his head a sign goes up saying “HOST” She crosses off the name host on her clip board.

David gets into the driver’s seat. He is surprised to see the Party Planner in the front passenger seat. Party Planner: Oh good.

She points to a disco ball on the rear vision mirror. She crosses “DÉCOR” off her list.

Party Planner: Oh good.

David: I think you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not having a party.

His friend learns forward to turn up the music.

Party Planner: I love your music.

She crosses “MUSIC” off her list. A male friend enters the car with stubbies of beer.

Male passenger: One for the driver.

David shakes his head. Back seat passengers clink beer bottle and word “BEVERAGES” appears. The Party planner crosses “BEVERAGES” off her list.

Selfies with flashes are being taken in the back seat. The Party planner crosses “PHOTOGRAPHY” off her list.

Male passenger: I love you guys.

The word “SPEECHES” appears near his head. The Party Planner crosses “SPEECHES” off her list.

Loud music, shouting, strobe lights and dancing is happening it the back seat as David takes off the handbrake and commences to drive. A car slams on their brakes nearby as David starts to drive.

Party Planner: Maybe a change of venue

Friends together in back: Let’s go to the party. Dave mate, you are killing the party. Are you driving your mates or not.

Change of scene. Dave is getting out of a taxi.

Friend: Dave we are heading in.

Dave follows his friends up the stairs to the party with loud music coming from the party. At the top of the stairs he see the Party Planner.

Party Planner: Hey, you made it.

After the call, the front seat passenger finally became alert to what was happening in the car and the major risk it posed to everyone. He spoke up to protect himself and his friends. Speaking up to protect yourself and others can sometimes be difficult, but it is essential.

Driver: If there’s no beer left when we get there then you are in trouble.

Back seat passenger 2: I waited.

Driver: Where did you wait… in your room…?

Front seat passenger: Hello

Grim Reeper: Hi Daniel, Grim speaking, Grim Reeper. I’m just calling to confirm the 8:43pm pickup.

Clock in the car shows 8:41.

Back seat passenger 1: If that’s Doggy tell him to hide us a 6 pack.

Front seat passenger: I’ve got a party.

Grim Reeper: I see, ok Daniel. We will see what we can do. Cold out there tonight. Ok so no funeral plan. No will. Looks like another half century or so might suit you.

Back seat passengers and driver conversing and asking the driver to change the radio station.

Front seat passenger: Yes please

Grim Reeper: Ok what I need you do to is turn to Jake, and to politely ask him to slow down a bit.

Driver continues to be distracted by the back seat passengers.

Grim Reeper: The results do vary, but in this case he is likely to call you a pussy. It’s up to you but most people think this plan is worth it in the end if they can get that entra 50 years or so.

Front seat passenger: Yeah, ok.

Driver: It’s alright, alright. I’ll make the lights.

Back seat passenger 2: You’re not going to make it.

Back seat passenger 1: Punch it. Do it

Front seat passenger: Mate slow down.

Driver brakes in time to just stop a crash.

Grim Reeper: Ok, not a problem. Enjoy the party.

Driver a bit shaken by near miss.

Driver: Pussy.

Everyone in the car quiet and shaken.

1. Use your Ls to gain experience in managing passengers and learn to set clear expectations of them.

2. Be firm, remember you are doing your passengers a favour.

3. Sometimes splitting a taxi or an Uber is the best choice

4. Never get into a car with driver who has been drinking or has taken drugs

5. Trust your gut: if you feel unsafe you are unsafe – get out that car as soon as you can and don’t get back in.