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Aligning Iowa Driver Education Curriculum and Standards Toward a Zero Fatalities Vision

This webpage is for the Technical Advisory Committee to access project materials.

Updated: July 1, 2025

Driver Education Videos


Seat Belts: The video, with Iowa State Patrol’s Paul Gardner, focuses on promoting the Iowa State Patrol’s SIDE initiative, which aims to reduce traffic deaths in Iowa, particularly the life-saving importance of wearing a seat belt. It explains the legal requirements for seat belt use, correct seat belt usage, and addresses common misconceptions about when to wear one. The video concludes by highlighting the importance of wearing a seat belt for every trip, regardless of distance, as a simple yet crucial safety measure.

Impaired Driving: The video, with Iowa State Patrol’s Paul Gardner, covers the following key points related to impaired driving: the preventability of crashes, the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and the details of field sobriety tests and implied consent. It also includes a message of responsibility, urging viewers to plan ahead for a safe way home.

 


Distracted Driving: The video, with Iowa State Patrol’s Paul Gardner, addresses how law enforcement detects phone use while driving, the restrictions on teenage drivers, the broader issue of distracted driving, and the legal evolution of distracted driving violations. The message encourages drivers to stay fully focused on the road, especially given the legal implications of using a phone behind the wheel.

Excess Speed: The video, with Iowa State Patrol’s Paul Gardner, focuses on the dangers of speeding, explaining that it doesn’t help people reach their destination sooner and can lead to traffic crashes and/or citations. It clears up the misconception that driving slightly over the speed limit is acceptable and stresses the importance of adjusting speed to match road and weather conditions to ensure safety. The key message is that driving at a safe speed is crucial for avoiding consequences and protecting oneself and others on the road.

 


Move Over, Slow Down: The video, with Iowa State Patrol’s Paul Gardner, stresses the importance of safety when encountering emergency vehicles, school buses, and slow-moving vehicles. Drivers must follow the “Move Over” law, stop for school buses when necessary, and remain extra cautious during spring and fall due to unpredictable slow-moving traffic. The key message is to stay alert, move over for emergency vehicles, and follow all laws to keep everyone on the road safe.

Student Communication: The video, with Safer Driver Solutions’ Ed Jennings, highlights the importance of communication, consistency, and collaboration in teaching student drivers. By encouraging students to verbalize their thoughts, using consistent terminology, reviewing past lessons, setting clear expectations, and involving parents, instructors can create an effective and supportive learning environment that enhances the student’s driving skills and confidence.

 


Inside the Vehicle: The video, with Safer Driver Solutions’ Ed Jennings, focuses on foundational teaching techniques in driver’s education. Key points include demonstrating essential vehicle controls, conducting non-moving drills to build confidence, avoiding assumptions about a student’s prior knowledge, offering different approaches to driving tasks, and prioritizing efficiency in the teaching process. The overall goal is to provide a well-rounded, practical, and confident learning experience for the student driver.

Setting Expectations: Students: The video, with Safer Driver Solutions’ Andy Nelson, highlights several key teaching strategies for driving instructors, including maintaining control of the vehicle for safety, building trust through positive reinforcement, adapting lessons to local driving conditions, and providing additional learning resources. The overall approach is focused on creating a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment that encourages improvement and reassures students throughout the learning process.

 


Setting Expectations: Parents: The video, with Safer Driver Solutions’ Andy Nelson, emphasizes the importance of strong communication between driving instructors and parents. Instructors provide feedback after each lesson, guiding parents on how to support their child’s practice at home. If the student isn’t progressing, the instructor will address the issue with the parents and stress the need for home practice. Additionally, instructors consider the types of vehicles students drive at home and offer advice on how different vehicle characteristics can impact driving, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the student’s learning process.

Setting Expectations: Instructors: The video, with Safer Driver Solutions’ Andy Nelson, focuses on the key elements of training and supporting driving instructors, including the structured learning plan for each driving session, the importance of flexibility to take advantage of teachable moments, and the ongoing support instructors should seek when they face challenges. It also stresses the need for continuous professional development to maintain expertise, ensuring that instructors remain credible and reliable resources for their students.

 

Driver Education Modules

Module NameModule LinkQuestions Link
Challenging Roadways





Distracted Driving





Impaired Driving





Passengers





Intersection/Right-of-Way





Risky Behavior





Seat Belts





Situational Awareness





Speeding





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