Traffic Safety Merit Badge

Free Resources and Answers

Time: 2–4 weeks
Difficulty: Easy, Moderate
Setting: Indoor, community observation
Best For: Scouts interested in driving, safety, rules of the road
Hands-On Level: Low, Moderate
Eagle Required: No

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge helps you learn how to stay safe wherever you travel. Whether you are walking, riding a bike, traveling in a car, or getting ready to drive, you make choices that affect your safety. This badge helps you recognize risks and make good decisions every day.

As you work on the requirements, you will learn how traffic works and why following safety rules matters. You will see how distractions, speeding, and poor judgment can lead to accidents. You will also learn simple habits that help protect you and the people around you.

You will discover that traffic safety is a shared responsibility. By staying alert, being courteous, and thinking ahead, you can help make roads safer for everyone. The skills you learn while earning the Traffic Safety Merit Badge will serve you well throughout your life.

The requirements for the Traffic Safety merit badge were updated on January 1, 2026.

Traffic Safety Merit Badge Requirements

Traffic Safety Merit Badge Pamphlet

Traffic Safety Merit Badge Printable Requirement Check Off Sheet

Checklist for All Merit Badges

Help with Answers for Traffic Safety Merit Badge Requirements

Find specific helps for some of the Traffic Safety merit badge requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.

• Requirement 1: Preventing Impaired Driving
• Requirement 2: Vehicle Safety
• Requirement 3: Auto Maintenance and Safety Checkups
• Requirement 4: Traffic Safety and the Law
• Requirement 5: Road Designs and Signs
• Requirement 6: Sharing the Road
• Requirement 7: Traffic, Your Community, and You
• Requirement 8: Careers
• More Resources

Requirement 1a: Avoiding Distracted Driving

What You Need To Do

Describe why distracted driving is dangerous. List five common distractions, tell how they cause crashes, and give ways drivers can avoid them.

Helpful Tips

• Driving requires your full attention at all times.
• Common distractions include texting, using a phone, changing music or GPS settings, eating or drinking, and talking with passengers.
• Looking away from the road for even a few seconds covers a long distance at highway speeds.
• Distractions slow reaction time and make it easier to miss traffic signals, pedestrians, and stopped vehicles.
• Set your GPS and music before starting your trip.
• Put your phone where you cannot reach it while driving.
• Eat and drink before leaving or wait until you stop.
• If you are riding with a distracted driver, politely encourage them to focus on the road.

Resources

• Distracted Driving (video)

Leader Tips

• Ask Scouts for examples of distractions they have seen while riding in a vehicle.
• Encourage practical ways to avoid each distraction.
• Remind Scouts that passengers also help create a safe trip.
• Focus on habits Scouts can use now and when they begin driving.

Requirement 1b: Preventing Impaired Driving

What You Need To Do

Describe why alcohol, drugs, and other substances make driving unsafe. Find your state’s legal blood alcohol concentration, penalties for impaired driving, and open-container law.

Helpful Tips

• Alcohol slows reaction time, judgment, coordination, and vision.
• Many cold medicines cause drowsiness or slower thinking.
• Some prescription medicines can cause dizziness, blurred vision, or delayed reactions.
• Illegal drugs can affect judgment, attention, and coordination.
• Mixing alcohol with medications makes driving even more dangerous.
• In most states, the legal blood alcohol concentration for drivers age 21 and older is 0.08 percent.
• Drivers under 21 usually have much lower legal limits or zero-tolerance laws.
• Driving under the influence can lead to fines, license suspension, higher insurance costs, required classes, and possible jail time.
• Check your state’s open-container law before completing this requirement.

Resources

• The Deadly Truth About Drinking and Driving (video)
• Blood Alcohol Content & Driving: What You Need to Know (video)

Leader Tips

• Remind Scouts to use current information for their own state.
• Encourage Scouts to use official state government websites when researching laws.
• Keep the discussion focused on safety and responsible choices.
• Review the difference between alcohol impairment and impairment caused by medications or drugs.

Requirement 1c: Avoiding Fatigued Driving

What You Need To Do

Describe why driving while tired is dangerous. Explain how drivers can plan ahead so they stay alert during a trip.

Helpful Tips

• Fatigue slows reaction time and reduces attention.
• A tired driver may drift out of a lane or miss traffic signs.
• Falling asleep for even a few seconds can cause a serious crash.
• Get enough sleep before driving, especially before a long trip.
• Take regular breaks during long drives to stretch and rest.
• Share driving duties with another qualified driver on long trips.
• Avoid driving late at night if you are already tired.
• If you become sleepy while driving, stop in a safe place and rest before continuing.

Resources

• Recognizing Fatigue—Warning Signs (video)
• Driver Tiredness, Fatigue, and Road Safety (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to include simple planning steps in their answers.
• Discuss situations that commonly lead to driver fatigue, such as long trips and busy schedules.
• Remind Scouts that recognizing fatigue early is part of safe driving.
• Include ways passengers can help keep drivers alert.

Requirement 1d: Avoiding Common New Driver Mistakes

What You Need To Do

Describe common mistakes made by new drivers. Explain how these mistakes increase crash risk, how to avoid them, and how driving habits affect insurance rates.

Helpful Tips

• Speeding gives drivers less time to react.
• Following too closely leaves little room to stop safely.
• Phones and loud passengers can take attention away from driving.
• Overconfidence often leads to unnecessary risks.
• Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead.
• Follow speed limits and traffic laws every time you drive.
• Practice driving in different weather and traffic conditions with an experienced driver.
• Tickets and crashes usually increase automobile insurance rates.
• Safe driving records often lead to lower insurance costs over time.

Resources

• 7 Common Mistakes New Drivers Make—and How to Avoid Them (website)
• Most Common Driving Mistakes to Avoid (video)

Leader Tips

• Ask Scouts to connect each mistake with a safer driving habit.
• Encourage examples from driver’s education or personal experience as passengers.
• Emphasize that safe driving habits begin before receiving a driver’s license.
• Point out that responsible driving protects both lives and finances.

Requirement 2a: Wearing Seat Belts Correctly

What You Need To Do

Show how to wear a lap and shoulder belt correctly. Explain why everyone in the vehicle, including children in the correct child safety seat, should always be properly restrained.

What You Need To Do

• Sit upright with your back against the seat.
• Place the lap belt low across your hips, not across your stomach.
• Position the shoulder belt across the center of your chest and over your shoulder.
• Keep the belt snug without twisting it.
• Never place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.
• Every person should use their own seat belt.
• Seat belts help keep people inside the vehicle during a crash.
• Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them.
• Children need the correct car seat or booster seat until an adult seat belt fits properly.

Resources

• How to Wear a Seat Belt Properly (video)
• Car Seat Safety (video)

Leader Tips

• Have Scouts demonstrate the correct fit of both the lap belt and shoulder belt.
• Remind Scouts that proper seat belt use protects every passenger, not just the driver.
• Discuss why child safety seats and booster seats are needed for younger children.
• Reinforce the habit of buckling up on every trip.

Requirement 2b: Vehicle Safety Features

What You Need To Do

List five vehicle safety features other than seat belts and air bags. Describe what each feature does and how it helps prevent injuries or crashes.

Helpful Tips

• Antilock brakes keep the wheels from locking during hard braking so the driver can continue steering.
• Electronic stability control helps prevent skids by applying brakes to individual wheels when needed.
• Traction control reduces wheel spin when accelerating on slippery roads.
• Crumple zones absorb crash energy so less force reaches the passenger compartment.
• Backup cameras help drivers see behind the vehicle while reversing.
• Blind-spot monitoring warns when another vehicle is beside your car.
• Automatic emergency braking can apply the brakes if the driver does not react in time.
• Tire pressure monitoring systems alert drivers when tire pressure becomes too low.

Resources

• 10 Car Safety Features That Every Car Must Have (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to choose safety features found on modern vehicles.
• Have Scouts describe how each feature improves safety instead of simply naming it.
• If possible, point out these features on an actual vehicle.
• Remind Scouts that safety features support good driving but do not replace careful drivers.

Requirement 3a: Checking Vehicle Lights

What You Need To Do

Check that all driving and signaling lights work properly. Show where the light controls are and describe how lights help drivers communicate and stay safe.

Helpful Tips

• Find the controls for the headlights, high beams, turn signals, and hazard lights.
• Turn on each light while an adult checks the outside of the vehicle.
• Test the brake lights by pressing the brake pedal.
• Make sure all light lenses are clean and easy to see.
• Headlights help you see the road at night and during bad weather.
• Turn signals tell other drivers where you plan to go.
• Brake lights warn drivers that you are slowing or stopping.
• Replace burned-out bulbs as soon as possible.

Resources

• Types of Car Lights & Their Purposes (video)

Leader Tips

• Have Scouts identify each light before testing it.
• Encourage Scouts to check both operation and cleanliness.
• Point out how lights help drivers communicate with one another.
• Remind Scouts to perform light checks regularly.

Requirement 3b: Checking Windows and Windshield Wipers

What You Need To Do

Inspect the vehicle’s windows for anything that blocks visibility. Test the windshield wipers and decide if the blades need replacement.

Helpful Tips

• Dirt, mud, bugs, and road salt reduce visibility.
• Fog, frost, ice, and snow should be removed before driving.
• Large cracks or stickers can block your view.
• Wet the windshield before testing the wipers.
• Good wiper blades clear the glass in one or two passes.
• Replace blades that streak, skip, squeak, or leave large smears.
• Windshield wipers are important during rain, snow, sleet, and road spray.
• Keep windshield washer fluid filled so you can clean the glass while driving.

Resources

• How to Check Your Wipers (video)

Leader Tips

• Let Scouts perform the wiper test themselves with supervision.
• Show where the washer fluid reservoir is located.
• Encourage Scouts to inspect all windows, not just the windshield.
• Discuss how poor visibility increases crash risk.

Requirement 3c: Checking Tires

What You Need To Do

Find the recommended tire pressure, check the tire pressure and tread depth, and describe why both are important for safe driving.

Helpful Tips

• Look for the recommended tire pressure on the driver’s door sticker or in the owner’s manual.
• Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire as the recommended pressure.
• Check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
• Use a tire pressure gauge for an accurate reading.
• Look for tread wear bars or use the penny test to check tread depth.
• Proper tire pressure improves traction and helps tires wear evenly.
• Good tread helps the tires grip the road, especially in rain.
• Properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy.

Resources

• How to Check Your Tires (video)

Leader Tips

• Have Scouts locate the pressure label without assistance.
• Demonstrate the correct use of a tire pressure gauge.
• Explain why every tire should be checked, including the spare if it has one.
• Encourage regular tire inspections as part of routine vehicle care.

Requirement 3d: Changing a Flat Tire

What You Need To Do

Find the equipment used for a flat tire and demonstrate how to change a tire or use a tire sealant kit.

Helpful Tips

• Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench before you need them.
• Some vehicles have a tire sealant kit instead of a spare tire.
• Park on a level surface away from traffic before changing a tire.
• Set the parking brake before lifting the vehicle.
• Loosen the lug nuts before raising the vehicle with the jack.
• Tighten the lug nuts securely after installing the spare tire.
• Tire sealant works only for certain types of small punctures.
• A tire repaired with sealant should be inspected or replaced as soon as possible.

Resources

• Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit (video)

Leader Tips

• Let Scouts identify each tool before beginning the demonstration.
• Review safe jack placement for the vehicle being used.
• Supervise each step closely during the demonstration.
• Emphasize safety over speed.

Requirement 3e: Reaction and Braking Distance

What You Need To Do

Measure reaction and braking distances for different speeds and discuss how road, weather, and driver conditions affect stopping distance.

Helpful Tips

• Reaction distance is how far a vehicle travels before the driver begins braking.
• Braking distance is how far the vehicle travels after the brakes are applied.
• Total stopping distance is the reaction distance plus the braking distance.
• Higher speeds greatly increase stopping distance.
• Wet pavement requires more distance than dry pavement.
• Alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and distractions increase reaction distance.
• Darkness reduces visibility and may increase stopping distance.
• Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead.

Resources

Note: Use the graphics template in the Traffic Safety merit badge pamphlet or one approved by your counselor to set up this demonstration.

• Stopping Distance Table and Graphs (PDF)
• Thinking, Braking, and Stopping Distances (video)
• Stopping Distance Demonstration (video)

Leader Tips

• Choose a safe location well away from traffic.
• Help Scouts visualize the distances with cones or markers.
• Compare stopping distances at different speeds and road conditions.
• Connect the demonstration to everyday driving decisions.

Requirement 4a: Traffic Laws

What You Need To Do

Describe at least three traffic laws that apply to both motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists.

Helpful Tips

• Stop at red lights and stop signs unless signs allow otherwise.
• Travel on the right side of the road and move in the same direction as traffic.
• Yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks.
• Obey speed limits if driving a motor vehicle.
• Ride a bicycle at a safe speed for road and traffic conditions.
• Use hand signals when riding a bicycle to show turns and stops.
• Follow traffic signs and pavement markings.
• Watch carefully at intersections because many crashes happen there.

Resources

• Bicycle Rules of the Road (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use examples from their own community.
• Discuss laws that apply to both drivers and bicyclists.
• Remind Scouts that traffic laws may vary slightly by state.
• Focus on how traffic laws help everyone stay safe.

Requirement 4b: Traffic Stops

What You Need To Do

Describe the safe and courteous steps to follow when a law enforcement officer stops your vehicle.

Helpful Tips

• Pull over safely as soon as practical.
• Use your turn signal while moving to the side of the road.
• Turn off the engine after stopping.
• Keep your hands where the officer can easily see them.
• Stay in the vehicle unless instructed to get out.
• At night, turn on the interior light if possible.
• Wait until the officer asks before reaching for your license or other documents.
• Be polite and answer questions calmly.

Resources

• Traffic Stop Etiquette (video)

Leader Tips

• Review the steps in the order they usually happen.
• Encourage Scouts to stay calm during the discussion.
• Point out that officers may give different instructions depending on the situation.
• Emphasize courtesy and cooperation throughout the stop.

Requirement 4c: Car Accidents

What You Need To Do

Describe the steps drivers should follow after being involved in a traffic accident.

Helpful Tips

• Stop immediately and stay at the scene.
• Check yourself and others for injuries.
• Call 911 if anyone is injured or if emergency help is needed.
• Turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights.
• Move vehicles out of traffic if it can be done safely.
• Exchange names, contact information, insurance information, and vehicle information with the other driver.
• Take photos of the scene if it is safe to do so.
• Report the accident to law enforcement or your insurance company if required.

Resources

• What to Do After a Car Accident (video)

Leader Tips

• Keep the discussion focused on safety before anything else.
• Remind Scouts to remain calm after an accident.
• Explain the importance of exchanging accurate information.
• Encourage Scouts to follow local laws for accident reporting.

Requirement 4d: Required Driver Documents

What You Need To Do

Name the three documents drivers must carry while operating a motor vehicle.

Helpful Tips

• Carry a valid driver’s license whenever you drive.
• Keep proof of insurance in the vehicle or in an approved digital format if your state allows it.
• Carry the vehicle registration.
• Store the documents where they are easy to find.
• Check expiration dates regularly.
• Replace lost or damaged documents promptly.
• Keep the documents protected from water and damage.
• Have the documents ready if requested during a traffic stop.

Resources

• Three Documents You Should Always Have in Your Car (website)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to name all three required documents without looking at notes.
• Mention that states may allow digital proof of insurance.
• Remind Scouts to keep documents organized and current.
• Connect good organization with responsible vehicle ownership.

Requirement 5a: Safe Road Design

What You Need To Do

Explain how intersections, medians, and road shoulders improve safety. Describe the safety features found on interstate highways.

Helpful Tips

• Intersections use traffic signals, signs, and lane markings to control traffic.
• Turn lanes reduce conflicts between turning vehicles and through traffic.
• Medians separate traffic traveling in opposite directions.
• Medians reduce the risk of head-on collisions.
• Road shoulders provide space for emergency stops and disabled vehicles.
• Interstate highways have entrance and exit ramps instead of regular intersections.
• Interstate highways use wide lanes, gentle curves, and clear signs to improve safety.
• Limited access on interstate highways reduces crossing traffic and helps vehicles move more smoothly.

Resources

• How Highways Are Designed and Built (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to identify these features on roads they use regularly.
• Discuss how each feature reduces crashes or improves traffic flow.
• Use photos or maps if visiting a roadway is not practical.
• Connect road design with safer driving decisions.

Requirement 5b: Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings

What You Need To Do

Explain how the colors and shapes of traffic signs help drivers. Describe the purpose of traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings.

Helpful Tips

• Red signs usually mean stop, do not enter, or another prohibition.
• Yellow signs warn about hazards or changing road conditions.
• Green signs provide directions, distances, and route information.
• Orange signs warn about construction or work zones.
• Stop signs are octagons, and yield signs are triangles so drivers recognize them quickly.
• Regulatory signs give rules such as speed limits and parking restrictions.
• Warning signs alert drivers to curves, crossings, and other hazards.
• Guide signs help drivers find highways, exits, and services.
• Traffic signals control when vehicles and pedestrians move.
• Pavement markings show lanes, passing zones, crosswalks, and road edges.

Resources

• Understanding Road Signs (video)
• Traffic Signals (video)
• Pavement Markings (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to identify signs by both color and shape.
• Review the main categories of traffic signs with examples.
• Point out pavement markings during a walk or drive.
• Reinforce that signs, signals, and markings work together to guide traffic safely.

Requirement 6a: Nighttime Visibility

What You Need To Do

Describe how much easier it is for drivers to see a properly lit bicycle or a person wearing reflective clothing at night compared with someone wearing dark clothing without lights or reflective material.

Helpful Tips

• A white front light and a red rear light make a bicycle much easier to see.
• Reflective clothing shines brightly when headlights hit it.
• Dark clothing blends into the road at night.
• Drivers can often see reflective material much sooner than dark clothing.
• Extra visibility gives drivers more time to slow down or steer safely.
• Reflectors on pedals, wheels, and bicycles improve side visibility.
• Carry lights with fresh batteries or fully charged rechargeable batteries.
• Wear reflective gear whenever you walk or ride after dark.

Resources

• Bike Safety – Sharing the Road (video)
• The Basics of Bicycle Safety (video)
• What to Do to Make Driving at Night Safer (video)

Leader Tips

• Demonstrate reflective materials if possible.
• Discuss why early visibility prevents crashes.
• Encourage Scouts to use lights and reflective gear every time they travel at night.
• Connect this requirement to everyday walking and bicycling.

Requirement 6b: Pedestrian Safety

What You Need To Do

Name at least four safety measures pedestrians, including hikers, should follow near streets and roads.

Helpful Tips

• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night.
• Stay alert and avoid using phones or headphones while crossing.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of vehicles.
• Hikers should move well off the road when vehicles approach.

Resources

• The Basics of Pedestrian Safety (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to think about routes they use every day.
• Review the difference between walking with and against traffic.
• Discuss how distractions affect pedestrians as well as drivers.
• Reinforce safe habits for both neighborhoods and hiking trails.

Requirement 6c: School Bus Safety

What You Need To Do

Name at least four safety measures drivers should follow when approaching a school bus loading or unloading passengers.

Helpful Tips

• Slow down when approaching a school bus.
• Watch for children near the bus or crossing the street.
• Stop when the bus displays flashing red lights and the stop arm is extended, as required by your state’s laws.
• Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn.
• Never pass a stopped school bus unless state law allows it.
• Be extra careful in school zones and near bus stops.
• Keep enough distance behind the bus so you can see children crossing.
• Expect children to move quickly or unexpectedly.

Resources

• Driving Safety 101: School Bus Safety (video)

Leader Tips

• Remind Scouts that school bus laws vary somewhat by state.
• Discuss why children can be difficult for drivers to see.
• Encourage Scouts to review their own state’s school bus laws.
• Keep the focus on protecting children around buses.

Requirement 6d: Blind Spots

What You Need To Do

Discuss the risks created by blind spots on cars and trucks. Describe ways drivers can avoid lane change crashes.

Helpful Tips

• Blind spots are areas that mirrors cannot fully show.
• Large trucks and buses have much bigger blind spots than passenger cars.
• Adjust mirrors correctly before driving.
• Look over your shoulder before changing lanes.
• Use turn signals well before moving into another lane.
• Avoid driving beside large trucks for long periods.
• Pass large trucks promptly when it is safe.
• If you cannot see a truck driver’s mirrors, the driver probably cannot see you.

Resources

• Blind Spots Lessons (video)
• Lane Changes (video)

Leader Tips

• Show Scouts where blind spots are located on different vehicles.
• Demonstrate proper mirror adjustment if a vehicle is available.
• Discuss why mirror checks and shoulder checks are both important.
• Reinforce safe habits around large trucks and buses.

Requirement 7a: Interview a Traffic Safety Professional

What You Need To Do

Interview a traffic law enforcement officer or another traffic safety professional. Identify three traffic safety problems in your community and discuss one possible solution with your counselor.

Helpful Tips

• Prepare your questions before the interview.
• Ask which traffic safety problems occur most often in your community.
• Take notes so you remember the answers accurately.
• Ask follow-up questions if you need more details.
• Common concerns include speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to wear seat belts.
• Choose one problem and suggest practical ways to improve safety.
• Thank the person for taking time to meet with you.
• Bring your notes to discuss with your counselor.

Resources

• Engineering and Inspector Careers (video)
• Women in Road Safety Careers (video)

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts arrange interviews well before the meeting date.
• Encourage respectful and professional behavior during the interview.
• Remind Scouts to take written notes.
• Focus the discussion on realistic community solutions.

Requirement 7b: Write a Traffic Safety Pledge

What You Need To Do

Write a personal pledge that addresses three traffic safety issues that are most important to you. Discuss your pledge with your counselor.

Helpful Tips

• Choose issues that apply to your daily life.
• Include specific actions instead of general promises.
• Promise to wear your seat belt every trip.
• Include ways to avoid distracted driving, such as putting away your phone.
• Include a promise to avoid riding with an impaired or tired driver.
• Keep your pledge short and easy to remember.
• Read your pledge before discussing it with your counselor.
• Review your pledge from time to time to keep the habits fresh.

Resources

• Take the Pledge (website)
• Parent-Teen Driving Agreement (website)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to write their own original pledge.
• Suggest goals that are realistic and easy to follow.
• Ask Scouts to explain why they selected their three topics.
• Reinforce that good habits develop through regular practice.

Requirement 7c: Organize a Traffic Safety Activity

What You Need To Do

Plan and organize an activity or event that helps others see the importance of traffic safety.

Helpful Tips

• Pick one clear traffic safety topic for your activity.
• Choose an audience such as Scouts, students, or families.
• Make a simple plan before the event.
• Ask adults for help with permissions and supervision if needed.
• Use clear demonstrations, posters, games, or presentations to share your message.
• Keep the activity focused on practical safety habits.
• Leave time for questions from participants.
• Think about what worked well after the activity is finished.

Resources

• Teen Driving Safety Event (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to choose projects that fit their available time and resources.
• Help Scouts plan the activity before it begins.
• Provide guidance while allowing the Scout to lead the project.
• Discuss what went well and what could be improved after the event.

Requirement 8: Traffic Safety Careers

What You Need To Do

Research one career related to traffic safety. Find information about the education and training required, costs, job duties, salary, job outlook, and opportunities for advancement. Share what you discovered with your counselor and explain why the career does or does not interest you.

Helpful Tips

• Choose a career that matches your interests.
• Use reliable sources such as government websites, libraries, or interviews with professionals.
• Find out how much education or training the career requires.
• Look for information about starting salary and job outlook.
• Learn what a typical workday is like.
• Find out if the career offers opportunities for promotion or additional certifications.
• Take notes while you research so you can discuss the career with your counselor.
• Be prepared to explain what you liked and did not like about the career.

Careers to Consider

• Traffic law enforcement officer
• Traffic engineer
• Transportation planner
• Traffic safety educator
• Emergency medical responder
• Accident reconstruction specialist
• Vehicle safety inspector
• Automotive safety engineer
• Traffic signal technician
• Public health researcher
• School transportation supervisor
• Commercial driver safety trainer
• Highway maintenance worker

Resources

• What It’s Like to Work in Traffic Control and Safety in Road Construction (video)
• On The Job: Traffic Signal Technician (video)

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to select a career they are genuinely interested in exploring.
• Remind Scouts to include all parts of the required research.
• Suggest interviews or workplace visits when practical.
• Focus the discussion on how the career contributes to safer roads and communities.

Safety Programs Feature for Scouts BSA

The Safety program feature for Scouts BSA helps youth learn how to handle real-life dangers. It covers home safety, outdoor risks, internet safety, and crime prevention. Meeting ideas are organized by skill level. There are also games, skits, and activities to make learning fun and easy to remember.

The program connects with many advancement topics, including the Traffic Safety merit badge. Scouts can explore public safety careers, visit agencies, and plan events. These activities help Scouts become more aware of risks around them and learn how to stay safe in different settings.

More Merit Badge Resources

The Traffic Safety merit badge gives Scouts a simple way to learn how to stay safe on the road. It fits well within the full merit badge program because it adds a practical life skill to a list that includes science, outdoors, trades, and arts. Scouts learn about safe driving, road rules, and how choices affect others. This helps balance the wide range of badges by offering knowledge that supports everyday life.

It also connects to badges like Automotive Maintenance and First Aid. Scouts who enjoy learning real-world skills often find this badge helpful. It supports the program’s goal of preparing Scouts for adult responsibilities.

Learn More about Scouts BSA

The Traffic Safety merit badge supports the larger goals of Scouts BSA by teaching awareness, responsibility, and careful decision-making. These traits help Scouts grow as safe and thoughtful leaders.

It also ties into fitness, citizenship, and personal development. Understanding safe travel encourages healthy habits. Learning how road safety affects communities builds respect and service. These lessons strengthen judgment and confidence.

What is the Traffic Safety Merit Badge about?

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge helps Scouts learn how to stay safe around roads and traffic. It covers driving, biking, walking, and riding as a passenger. The badge focuses on good choices and smart habits. These skills help Scouts protect themselves and others every day.

Who can earn the Traffic Safety Merit Badge?

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge is for Scouts in Scouts BSA. It works well for middle school and high school Scouts. You do not need a driver’s license to earn it. Many requirements apply to passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Do I need to drive a car to complete the Traffic Safety Merit Badge?

You do not need to be a driver to earn the Traffic Safety Merit Badge. Many requirements focus on awareness and decision making. You can complete hands-on tasks with adult supervision. Learning these skills before driving is helpful.

Why does the Traffic Safety Merit Badge focus so much on distractions?

Distractions are a major cause of crashes. The Traffic Safety Merit Badge teaches why attention matters. Looking away for even a short time can cause serious harm. Learning to avoid distractions builds safer habits early.

What will I learn about vehicle safety in the Traffic Safety Merit Badge?

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge teaches how safety features work and why they matter. You learn about seat belts, lights, tires, and brakes. You also learn how regular checks help prevent crashes. These lessons apply to any vehicle you ride in.

How does the Traffic Safety Merit Badge help with biking and walking safety?

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge covers sharing the road. It explains visibility, crossing streets, and following signals. You learn how drivers see cyclists and pedestrians. This helps you make safer choices when you are not in a car.

Do I have to talk to a police officer for the Traffic Safety Merit Badge?

One option in the Traffic Safety Merit Badge involves talking with a traffic safety professional. This can be a police officer or another expert. You will ask about local traffic problems. This helps you understand real issues in your community.

What kind of project can I do for the Traffic Safety Merit Badge?

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge allows different activity options. You might plan a safety event, write a pledge, or help educate others. The project should show why traffic safety matters. Choose something that fits your skills and interests.

Why is the Traffic Safety Merit Badge important for Scouts?

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge teaches skills Scouts use for life. Traffic is part of daily routines. Learning safety early helps prevent injuries and deaths. The badge supports responsibility and caring for others.

How can the Traffic Safety Merit Badge help me later in life?

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge builds habits that last. Safe driving and travel save lives and money. These skills help you as a driver, rider, and leader. They also prepare you to make good choices under pressure.

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge helps Scouts learn how to stay safe around roads and traffic. Traffic is part of daily life. Scouts walk, bike, ride in cars, and use buses. This badge helps them understand how quickly things can go wrong and how good choices can prevent harm.

As Scouts work on the Traffic Safety Merit Badge, they learn why attention matters. Distractions, fatigue, and poor decisions all raise crash risk. Scouts learn how drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians affect each other. They begin to see traffic safety as a shared responsibility, not just a set of rules.

The Traffic Safety Merit Badge also builds practical skills. Scouts learn how vehicles work and why maintenance matters. They practice checking lights, tires, and visibility. They learn what to do during traffic stops and after accidents. These skills build confidence and readiness.

This badge encourages Scouts to think about their community. They explore local traffic problems and ways to improve safety. They may plan an activity or write a safety pledge. The Traffic Safety Merit Badge helps Scouts grow into careful travelers and responsible leaders.