Teenage Drivers’ Views of a Classroom and Closed-Road Post-License Advanced Driving Program, Guard Your Life

Abstract

In the US, teenage drivers have an increased risk of being involved in crashes. To address this, post-license advanced driving programs have emerged. This study gains teenagers’ perspective of a post-license defensive driving program focused on a hands-on introduction to emergency braking, skid recovery and the dangers of distracted driving. The teenagers completed a survey immediately following the program and a phone interview three months later. The open-ended survey and phone interview items reflect the program’s key concepts. During the follow-up phone interview, the majority of teenagers reported using the skills experienced and half of the participants who participated in the phone interview reported using skills that they learned to avoid a crash. Almost all teenagers reported anticipating or changing their driving behaviors, specifically by reducing distractions, having a heightened awareness and changing their driving position. The survey and follow-up phone interview results suggest that the teenagers benefited from the skills introduced and, from the teenagers’ perspective, has helped them avoid crashes.

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

“…The results of the survey suggest that learning about ABS was one of the most important topics the teens learned about during the program, both directly after the program and three months later. The results of the phone interview suggest that participants avoided crashes and used the skills related to ABS braking within three months after the program [24]. Parents are required to stay for the classroom portion of the GYL program.…”

“…The GYL program utilizes a subset of the classroom information on ABS and ABS exercise as the car control classes in the current study. Though the survey studies [24,25] do not provide ABS performance information, these studies surveyed a population of teens and parents enrolled in a half day driving program with essentially double the group size. Not many of the parents surveyed from the GYL program had been trained to activate ABS, nor did many use hands-on techniques to teach their teen about ABS [25].…”

Skilled maneuvering: Evaluation of a young driver advanced training program

“… 10 , 15 – 18 The main recommendation of other published evaluations is to focus YDs training on hazard anticipation and avoid emergency situations altogether. 10 , 15 , 17 , 19 …”

“… 8 , 9 , 11 , 19 These studies reported mixed effects on YD attitudes, driving behaviors, and driving record outcomes. 8 , 11 , 15 – 19 Participants of ADT programs did not show significantly improved driving records over time compared with the general population of YDs or a control group; however, there was also no evidence of less safe driving behavior. 8 , 9 , 18 …”

“…Further research is necessary to determine the benefit of ADT to the development of safer YDs. Novice drivers require time behind the wheel to develop their driving skills and ability to anticipate hazards 8–11,15,19 . Studies have found that newly licensed drivers are less capable of recognizing potential risks and hazards compared with drivers with more than a year of driving experience 4,5,13 .…”