Stage 3: APPLY Your SPOT™ Skills
🎯Ready to Put SPOT™ Into Practice?
Every scenario below is based on REAL Enumclaw driving conditions where SPOT™ saves lives.
MR. LAWSON:
"Stage 3 is where theory becomes skill. Every scenario you're about to see is based on real Enumclaw driving conditions. Click each card and practice applying SPOT™ to each situation. This is how professional drivers think!"
Common Enumclaw Driving Challenges (Click to flip - /8)
Enumclaw High School Roundabout
7:25 AM Rush
SCAN: Teens crossing Semanski St, buses loading, vehicles at all entries, distracted pedestrians.
PREDICT: Students may jaywalk between cars. Buses may activate red lights. Impatient drivers may run yields.
OPTIONS: 15-20 mph in school zone. Cover brake. Yield at entry. 4+ second following distance.
TIME: Slow 500 ft before roundabout. Scan crosswalks every 2 sec. Ready to stop in 1 sec.
SR 410 Near Mud Mountain Dam
Dense Fog
SCAN: Low-beam headlights on. Watch taillights ahead, centerline reflectors, edge fog line, wildlife eyes.
PREDICT: Visibility may drop to under 100 ft. Drivers may brake hard. Deer/elk cross at dawn/dusk.
OPTIONS: Reduce speed to match visibility. Use fog line. 6+ second following. Turn on hazards if under 40 mph.
TIME: Slow BEFORE entering fog. Allow 200+ ft stopping at 50 mph. Scan roadside every 3-4 sec.
Mud Mountain Road
Dusk Wildlife Crossing
SCAN: Wildlife crossing signs, eye-shine in headlights, movement in periphery, deer trails. Use high beams.
PREDICT: Deer most active at dawn/dusk. They freeze or bolt unpredictably. Where one goes, more follow.
OPTIONS: 45-50 mph in zones. Scan both shoulders. If deer on roadside: slow, honk, flash lights. Don't swerve!
TIME: Begin scanning 1/4 mile before zones. If eyes spotted: slow immediately. If deer crosses: stop and wait 10 sec.
SR 169 South of Enumclaw
Slow Tractor Ahead
SCAN: Orange SMV triangle, wide loads blocking lane, mud/debris on road, oncoming traffic, driveways.
PREDICT: Tractor 15-25 mph in 55 zone. Driver may not see you. Equipment wider than lane. Mud reduces traction.
OPTIONS: Match speed, 6+ second following. Scan for legal passing zones. Be patient. Use turnouts if 5+ vehicles behind.
TIME: Wait for straight section with 500+ ft visibility. Signal early, pass quickly. Never pass in no-passing zones!
Advanced Application Scenarios
Cole Street Elementary
Distracted Parent Pickup
SCAN: Parents on phones, children between cars, double-parked vehicles, car doors opening, crossing guards.
PREDICT: Parents may drift into lane or stop suddenly. Children may run into street. Crossing guards have legal authority.
OPTIONS: 20 mph school zone speed. Cover brake. Eye contact with pedestrians. Create escape routes mentally.
TIME: Active when lights flash OR 7-9 AM, 2-4 PM on school days. Fines DOUBLE in active school zones!
Griffin Avenue
Parallel Parking Pressure
SCAN: Mirrors and blind spots for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles. Reverse lights, car doors, shopping carts.
PREDICT: Drivers may back out without checking. Pedestrians may walk between cars. Impatient drivers may honk.
OPTIONS: Signal 100 ft before space. Full shoulder checks. Use reference points. Take your time—ignore honking!
TIME: Complete in 2-3 attempts max. Curb wheels on hills. Check blind spots before opening door.
SR 410 Mountain Approach
Black Ice Alert
SCAN: Ice warning signs, pavement color changes (wet-looking = ice), shaded areas, temp gauge under 35°F.
PREDICT: Black ice is invisible—near-zero traction. Bridges freeze first. 4WD doesn't help you STOP on ice!
OPTIONS: 30-40 mph in ice conditions. 8-10 second following. No cruise control. Steer into skid. Don't brake hard!
TIME: Test brakes gently when ice suspected. Allow 300+ ft stopping at 40 mph. "Late" beats "never arrived."
Porter Street Construction
Shifting Lane Pattern
SCAN: Orange cones, work ahead signs, flaggers with stop/slow paddles, workers near lane, uneven pavement.
PREDICT: Lanes may shift suddenly. Flaggers may stop without warning. Workers may step into lane to move cones.
OPTIONS: 25-35 mph posted speed. Merge early. Obey flaggers immediately. Avoid distractions. Never honk at workers!
TIME: Slow when first sign appears. Follow speed exactly. Fines $500+ and CRIMINAL if workers present (RCW 46.61.527)!
📋 Washington State Driver Education Standards - Stage 3 Application
C7.1: Visual Search Practice
• Real-world scanning application
• Hazard prediction training
• Decision-making under pressure
C11.1-11.2: Applied Hazard Response
• Scenario-based learning
• SPOT™ method integration
• Local context application
C6.3,5,7: Environmental Factors
• Weather condition awareness
• Traffic pattern recognition
• Roadway hazard identification
Stage 3 applies theoretical SPOT™ knowledge to authentic Enumclaw driving scenarios, preparing students for real-world hazard detection and response on local roads.