A Contemporary Look at Driver Training and Its Role in Reducing Crash Risk in Novice Adolescent Drivers
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Summary
This study will test the effectiveness of different types of driver training interventions for reducing young new driver crash risk early after licensure.
Description
Motor vehicle crashes remain high in young drivers, despite graduated driver licensing laws that put restrictions on driving and delay licensure. Typically, data trends show that crash risk is highest right after licensure, in the early months of independent driving. Additional studies of different driver training interventions have shown some evidence that it is possible to improve skills and reduce crashes early in licensure for young drivers. However, Pennsylvania and many other states have no professional training requirements for young drivers. This study will test the effectiveness of d…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 16–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents ages 16-17 years old who reside in Pennsylvania * Have an active Pennsylvania learner's permit * Have \<30 hours of driving practice during permit phase * Have never taken an on-road licensing exam, in any state * Plan to get a license within the next 12 months in Pennsylvania * Plan to have access to a vehicle to drive after licensure * Have a personal cell phone and access to a smartphone/tablet/computer with internet access * Download and use the RoadReady app (only required for participants randomized to the behind-the-wheel training arm; optional for par…
Interventions
- BehavioralOnline Vehicle and Driver Safety Education
This online video education program provides education in vehicle and driver safety (e.g. vehicle maintenance, adjusting car seats and seatbelts). This online training will take up to 2 hours to complete and will have a short quiz at the end to determine compliance with this online training.
- BehavioralOnline Driver Skills Training
The online driver training is the Accelerated Curriculum to Create Effective Learning (ACCEL) is designed to enhance the ability to anticipate, recognize and respond to hazards and to maintain attention to the road. The training is delivered online via a computer and can be done from home or at a school or other site that has a computer with internet access. It requires up to two hours to complete, and will be hosted on a platform that will track progress and completion through the training (such as accuracy, duration in modules, time to complete) and a short quiz will be provided at the end to assess learning.
- BehavioralBehind-the-Wheel Driver Training
The professional behind-the-wheel training course will be conducted in-person, delivered by local driving school partner Coastline Academy or licensed driver training schools subcontracted by Coastline Academy. The curriculum consists of 6 hours of training with assigned practice between lessons, and meets Pennsylvania and national standards. Post-lesson forms completed by the instructors will record adherence and consistency (intervention fidelity).
Location
- Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania