Strategies In Which Effectiveness Is Unclear

Advanced Driver Skill Training

Advanced driver skill training programs have become increasingly popular in recent years. These are typically half-day or full-day programs that provide participants with hands-on, behind-the-wheel practice. Programs focus on specific vehicle handling challenges that are thought to be important in dealing with driving emergencies, such as hard braking and controlling a skid. Most of these programs have not been evaluated. The few available studies have found that advanced driver skill training may actually increase crashes among teen drivers. The concern is that those who participate in such program become overconfident about their ability to handle an emergency, so therefore they drive in a less safe manner. Research from other countries suggests these programs work best when teens learn how easily they can lose control of a vehicle, without necessarily learning what to do in those situations.

Hazard Perception Training

Inexperienced drivers often miss potential dangers that an experienced driver would notice. They might not see stopped traffic several vehicles ahead, or they might not expect a pedestrian to step out from behind a parked car. The goal of hazard perception training is to provide a safe setting for teens to learn about common types of hazards that often contribute to crashes. Sometimes the training is provided using computer-based programs or videos; other times training is done in a driving simulator. A growing number of studies have shown that hazard perception training can improve a teen’s ability to spot hazards in these simulated settings. However, very few studies have examined whether this carries over into real-world settings.

Parental Technological Monitoring & Feedback

In-vehicle cameras and other devices are available to help parents keep track of their teen’s driving, even when the parent is no longer in the car. These devices typically gather information such as speed, location (measured via GPS), and risky maneuvers (measured via g-forces). When these technologies are combined with a system to provide feedback to parents and teens, they can reduce risky driving behaviors among teens. However it is still not known whether the reductions in risky driving translate into fewer crashes. Also, not all families are receptive to these technologies.