Teenage and Adult Drivers’ Views of a One-Day Car Control Class on a Closed-Road Course

Abstract

Traffic-related crashes impact drivers of all ages. Post-license driving classes have emerged to equip drivers with higher level skills needed to prevent and avoid emergency situations. A performance driving center offers teenage and adult car control classes designed to address defensive driving skills through both classroom instruction and hands-on practice on a closed-road track. To obtain the views from teenagers and adults, both groups completed a survey immediately after their classes, and the adults completed a phone interview six months later. Results from the teenage and adult survey showed that both groups reported the most important topics learned during the car control class were skid recovery, using the antilock braking system (ABS) and looking where the car should go. Both teenagers and adults reported that they plan to significantly change their driving behaviors, especially those concerning seating, hand and mirror positions. Overall, after the class, the teenagers and adults felt “moderately competent” in their ability to perform the exercises practiced during the class, which increased from the rating of “not competent” prior to the class. The results from the phone interview with the adults suggest that ABS braking was the most important topic six months later. ABS braking was also the single-most reported skill used after the class and the self-identified skill most used to avoid a crash. The phone interview showed that the adults accurately predicted their use of the behaviors (seating position, vision, distractions, etc.) and turned those behaviors taught during the class into habits of their daily driving. Overall, the results from the teenage and adult survey, as well as the phone interview with the adults, suggest that the participants benefitted from the knowledge and skills gained from the one-day car control class.

Instructor’s Rating of Driver’s Performance during an Anti-Lock Braking Exercise on a Closed-Road Course

“…The results from the previous study [21], suggested that both teen and adult drivers considered the information about ABS and the experience activating ABS to be of high importance, which supports the hypothesis that many drivers did not have prior knowledge or experience with ABS. This is consistent with the observations from Mazzae, Garrott & Snyder [6], that drivers did not understand the purpose of ABS.…”

“…Once the first group of drivers completes the exercise, the drivers and passengers switch seating positions, and the exercise is repeated. A previous study investigated the drivers' views of the class, where a pre and posttest survey was conducted with several one-day teen and adult classes [21]. The results suggested that both the teens (N = 80) and adults (N = 177) identified ABS braking as one Drivers slowly drive through the course and are instructed to brake at a designated set of cones and come to a complete stop before receiving feedback from the instructor.…”

“…Other goals of these classes are an improved understanding of vehicle safety systems like ABS and ESC, as well as experience performing emergency maneuvers including skid recovery and emergency lane changes. For additional details about the class, please see Mims et al [21].…”

“…A previous study investigated the drivers' views of the class, where a pre and posttest survey was conducted with several one-day teen and adult classes [21]. The results suggested that both the teens (N = 80) and adults (N = 177) identified ABS braking as one A previous study investigated the drivers' views of the class, where a pre and posttest survey was conducted with several one-day teen and adult classes [21]. The results suggested that both the teens (N = 80) and adults (N = 177) identified ABS braking as one of the most important topics taught during the class.…”

“…While the number of comments decreased as the number of runs increased, the type of feedback given to the participants also changed as the number of runs increased. Run one had the highest number of "Press the brake harder or Press the brake as hard as you can" (21) and "Begin braking at the cones, not before them" (11). As the number of runs and speed increased (runs three through six), the feedback changed to include "Press the pedal and keep it pressed until the vehicle comes to a complete stop" (56) and "Look where you want the vehicle to go" (53).…”