Study Guide
PrintSection 3: Test Summary and Framework
WEST–E Traffic Safety (043)
The Washington Educator Skills Tests–Endorsements (WEST–E) are designed to measure a candidate's knowledge of the subject-area content contained in the test framework for each field. All WEST–E tests are fully aligned with the state's teacher endorsement competencies and, as applicable, the Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
Test Summary
This test summary describes general testing information as well as the approximate percentage of the total test score derived from each content domain. The test framework, organized by content domain, contains the objectives that define the content for the test.
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | Approximately 110 multiple-choice questions |
| Test Session | 2 hours (does not include 15-minute tutorial and nondisclosure agreement) |
| Passing Score | 240 (scores are calculated in a range from 100 to 300) |
| Test Code | 043 |
Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.
| Key | Approximate Percentage of Test |
Content Domain | Range of Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 28% | Driving Regulations and Responsibilities | 0001 to 0003 |
| II | 36% | Driving Safely | 0004 to 0007 |
| III | 36% | Risk Factors and Risk Management | 0008 to 0011 |
Test Framework
Driving Regulations and Responsibilities
Objective 0001: Understand regulations and responsibilities related to the driver license, vehicle ownership, vehicle registration, and traffic violations.
For example:
- identifying types of licenses (e.g., basic driver license, intermediate driver license, instruction permit) and their characteristics
- recognizing the requirements and restrictions of types of licenses
- identifying rules related to vehicle ownership and transfer of ownership
- identifying rules related to vehicle registration
- identifying rules and processes related to traffic violations
Objective 0002: Demonstrate knowledge of vehicle equipment, controls, indicators, safety devices, and reference points.
For example:
- identifying types and characteristics of vehicle equipment, controls, and indicators
- recognizing the role of equipment, controls, and indicators in the proper and safe operation of a vehicle
- identifying the types, characteristics, and purposes of safety devices in vehicles
- recognizing the role of vehicular safety devices in given situations
- identifying standard vehicle reference points
- recognizing the role of vehicle reference points in the precise operation of a vehicle
Objective 0003: Demonstrate knowledge of procedures related to preoperative vehicle inspections, starting, parking, and stopping.
For example:
- identifying the components of an efficient and effective preoperative vehicle inspection
- applying procedures for starting, stopping, and securing a vehicle
- applying procedures for assessing the mechanical condition of a vehicle
Driving Safely
Objective 0004: Demonstrate knowledge of safe driving habits and techniques.
For example:
- applying procedures for various accelerating and braking techniques in a given situation
- applying procedures for controlling and maintaining or changing direction in a given situation
- applying procedures for scanning and maximizing awareness in a given situation
- applying procedures for signaling intentions in a given situation
- applying driving techniques that improve fuel efficiency and fuel conservation
Objective 0005: Demonstrate knowledge of procedures used in operating a vehicle on public roadways.
For example:
- applying procedures for turning, passing, and changing lanes in a given situation
- identifying rules of the road related to vehicle speed and procedures for determining and maintaining an appropriate speed in a given situation
- applying procedures for effectively controlling a vehicle in vehicular and pedestrian traffic
- applying procedures for reducing risk in a given situation
- applying procedures for interacting with other roadway users, including pedestrians and bicyclists, in a given situation
- applying procedures for managing a vehicle to control vehicle operating space
- applying decision-making skills when driving (e.g., Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute [IPDE]; Watch, Evaluate, Act [WEA]; zone control)
Objective 0006: Understand roadway signs, markings, signals, and controls.
For example:
- identifying the meaning of roadway signs
- identifying the meaning of roadway markings
- identifying the meaning of roadway signals and controls
- applying appropriate driving procedures related to roundabouts, reversible and reserved lanes, and two-way left-turn lanes
Objective 0007: Demonstrate knowledge of the driving techniques used in given situations.
For example:
- applying procedures for highway, rural, and expressway driving in a given situation
- applying procedures for night driving and driving under conditions of reduced visibility
- applying procedures for driving in the city and in congested areas
- applying procedures for driving under adverse environmental conditions (e.g., inclement weather, construction zone, varying roadway conditions)
Risk Factors and Risk Management
Objective 0008: Demonstrate knowledge of physical, social, psychological, and emotional issues related to driving.
For example:
- recognizing the effects of physical limitations on driving, and equipment and procedures used to minimize these effects
- recognizing psychological and emotional issues (e.g., road rage, depression, impatience) that affect driving
- recognizing issues related to vision and hearing and their relationship to the driving process (e.g., eyeglasses, peripheral vision, hearing deficits)
- recognizing safety issues related to fatigue and distracted driving (e.g., increased reaction time, cell phone use, eating or drinking while driving)
Objective 0009: Understand alcohol and other drugs and the effects of alcohol and other drugs on driving.
For example:
- identifying types of drugs (e.g., over-the-counter drugs, illicit drugs) and their characteristics
- identifying the effects of alcohol and other drugs on perception, behavior, and decision making
- recognizing the problems caused by use of alcohol and other drugs while driving and the legal implications of drinking or using other drugs while driving
Objective 0010: Demonstrate knowledge of procedures for assessing and managing risk in driving situations.
For example:
- applying procedures for assessing risk based on time, space, and visibility
- identifying procedures for driving during adverse weather conditions
- applying defensive driving techniques in a given traffic situation
- applying procedures for modifying driving behavior in response to existing conditions
Objective 0011: Demonstrate knowledge of procedures used to deal with emergencies in driving situations.
For example:
- applying appropriate steps in a given situation involving a collision
- recognizing the driver's responsibility at a collision
- applying procedures for reporting a collision
- applying appropriate steps in a given situation involving mechanical or equipment failure
- applying appropriate steps in a given situation involving a skid or loss of control
- applying appropriate steps in a given situation involving environmental emergencies (including failures of the highway system)