Training Module Library
Access our complete database of safety modules. Each card below expands into a full lesson plan including objectives, talking points, common driver errors, and assessment tools.
Intersection Awareness & Management
Duration: 15-20 Minutes (Instructor Led)
01 Lesson Objectives
- Identify: Recognize “stale” green lights and the “point of no return” (decision point).
- Execute: Demonstrate the “Left-Right-Left” scanning pattern before entering any intersection.
- Prevent: Understand the hazards of “rolling stops” and right-turn squeezes.
Required Materials
- Whiteboard/Tablet for diagrams
- Local intersection map (printout)
- Scale model cars (optional)
Pro Tip
Ask drivers to name the most dangerous intersection on their route. Use that specific location for the “What If” scenarios.
02 Instructional Outline (Script)
Step 1: The Approach (Covering the Brake)
Instructor: “When we approach an intersection, even if we have a green light, what is the position of your right foot?”
(Wait for answers. Look for: Hovering, Covering.)
Key Point: Explain that covering the brake reduces reaction time by 0.75 seconds. At 30mph, that saves approximately 33 feet of stopping distance. This 33 feet is often the difference between a near-miss and a T-bone collision.
Step 2: Scanning (Left-Right-Left)
Instructor: “Why do we scan Left, then Right, then Left again? Why that order?”
Step 3: Managing the Turn (The Setup)
Discuss the “Button hook” vs. “Jug handle” turn. WARNING: Emphasize that Jug Handle turns (swinging left before turning right) are dangerous as they open the right side to passing cars. Instead, teach the Button Hook: Pull deep into the intersection, then turn sharply.
Common Driver Mistakes & Correction
1. Anticipating the Green
The Error: Driver watches the cross-traffic light. When it turns yellow, they begin to roll, assuming their light will turn green immediately.
The Correction: “Red means stop. Green means look, then go.” Never move until your light is solid green and the intersection is visibly clear.
2. Following too Close in the Box
The Error: Driver enters the intersection while the car in front is still navigating it. The light changes, trapping the driver in the “box.”
The Correction: Do not cross the stop line until there is enough space on the other side of the intersection for your entire vehicle length.
03 Knowledge Check (Quiz)
Q1. What is a “Stale Green Light”?
Q2. When making a right turn, why should you avoid swinging wide to the left (Jug Handle) first?
Related Modules
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G.O.A.L. Method
“Get Out And Look.” The absolute requirement before reversing. How to perform a 360-degree walk-around.
Post-Accident Protocol
What to do in the first 10 minutes after an incident. Evidence gathering, silence on liability, and contacting dispatch.