United States Department of Transportation
NHTSA Search Results
462 Results
Alcohol and Older Drivers' Crashes
https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-tech/alcohol-and-old... September 1, 2014Licensing Procedures and Older Drivers
https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-tech/licensing-proce... September 1, 2013
This study explored how drivers 60 and older control the accelerator and brake while driving and parking, advancing an earlier study about pedal misapplication crashes. An instrumented vehicle on a test route in actual traffic measured foot movement and position affecting possible pedal error. Participants included 6 drivers with peripheral neuropathy of the feet, 2 with hip replacements, and 18 older but healthy drivers. Researchers also documented participants’ functional abilities such as leg functional reach and anthropometries such as height and femur length to determine whether these factors related to pedal control. Drivers with medical conditions scored significantly poorer than the normally aging drivers while parking. Poor vehicle fit was significantly related to functional ability.
Understanding and Messaging to At Risk Drivers PDF, 1.04 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/understanding-and-m...Older Drivers and Navigation Devices PDF, 2.68 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/older-drivers-and-n... October 19, 2018
This project examined measures related to older adults’ driving performance while they drove to a familiar destination without navigation aids, and when following new routes they had not previously driven using paper directions or an electronic navigation system (ENS), often called a “GPS.” Phase 1 also explored the effects of experience/familiarity using an ENS on driving, route-following, and manual destination entry task performance. Phase 2 explored the impact of training in ENS use on driving behavior and destination entry performance. Phase 1 found that on average all age and familiarity groups exhibited better driving performance when using the ENS compared to paper directions. The 70-and-older group members who were previously unfamiliar with the use of an ENS had the poorest driving test scores. The Phase 1 destination entry task focused on determining whether the drivers could correctly enter addresses into the device. People in their 60s performed better on this task than did those in their 70s, and participants who were familiar with ENS outperformed those who were not. Phase 2 showed that training on the use of an ENS did not improve driving performance, but did improve performance on destination entry tasks. This study suggests that ENS systems are difficult for older drivers to program, but training such as that developed for the study can improve the ability of these drivers to correctly enter destinations. Any driving performance benefits the systems may afford drivers cannot be realized if a user cannot correctly input a destination or becomes frustrated and rejects the use of the ENS device altogether.
Division of Motor Vehicles and Drivers Licensing
https://www.nhtsa.gov/state-agency/division-motor-...Wyoming Department of Transportation Driver Services
https://www.nhtsa.gov/state-agency/wyoming-departm...Adapting Motor Vehicles for Older Drivers PDF, 628.99 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/adapting-motor-vehi...
The information in this brochure is based on the experience of driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals who work with people who require adaptive devices for their motor vehicles. The steps outlined here represent a proven process — evaluating your needs, making sure the vehicle “fits” you properly, choosing appropriate features, installing and knowing how to use adaptive devices, practicing good vehicle maintenance — that can help you avoid costly mistakes when modifying or purchasing a vehicle to accommodate age-related changes that may affect your driving.
National Driver Register (NDR) - FAQ PDF, 121.38 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/national-driver-reg...
The National Driver Register (NDR) is a division in the National Center for Statistics and Analysis under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NDR maintains the computerized database known as the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) which contains information on individuals whose privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been revoked, suspended, canceled or denied or who have been convicted of serious traffic-related offenses.
TEEN DRIVER CRASHES - A Report to Congress PDF, 848.33 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/teen-driver-crashes...How to Understand & Influence Older Drivers PDF, 5.15 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/how-understand-infl...
Discussion about older driver safety and mobility as changes take place due to aging - July 2013
Literature Review of Polypharmacy and Older Drivers PDF, 849.03 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/literature-review-p...Model Driver Screening and Evaluation Program PDF, 452.38 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/model-driver-screen...Tips for Maintaining A Good Driver Attitude MSWORD, 47.5 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/tips-maintaining-go...
From 2009.
Driver Electronic Device Use in 2008 PDF, 662.3 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/driver-electronic-d... September 1, 2009The Effect of Passengers On Teen Driver Behavior PDF, 1.18 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/effect-passengers-t...
A number of studies have shown that passengers substantially increase the risk of crashes for young, novice drivers. This increased risk may result from distractions that young passengers create for drivers. Alternatively, the presence of passengers may increase the likelihood of teenage drivers engaging in explicitly risky behaviors, for example, by actively encouraging drivers to take risks. A better understanding of how transporting peers contributes to young driver increased crash risk will help develop strategies to reduce this risk. NHTSA analyzed data collected through an earlier naturalistic driving study (Goodwin, Foss, Margolis, & Waller, 2010). Over a 6-month study period, event-based data recorders collected 24,085 driving clips, of which 4,466 were selected for analysis. The sample included 52 drivers: 38 newly licensed teens and 14 high-school-age siblings.
Risky driving behaviors by teenage drivers were more common while they were driving in the presence of teenage peers. Teenage drivers were two- and-a-half times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage peer compared to when driving alone. When driving with multiple teenage peers the likelihood increased to 3 times. Some of the mechanisms commonly thought to explain the increased crash risk when carrying passengers were rare, such as instances of deliberate encouragement for the drivers to take risks. Rather, helpful statements on the part of passengers were 10 times more common than statements encouraging risk-taking behavior. These findings suggest the mere presence of peers may have influenced risky driving behaviors more than deliberate encouragement.
Several potential distractions were common when teenage peers were present. Loud conversation was 5 times more likely and horseplay was 9 times more likely with multiple teenage passengers in the vehicle compared to when a parent/adult was present. Other distractions, such as loud music and electronic device use, were less common in the presence of passengers.
This study had several limitations. First, teens may have changed their driving behavior because of the presence of the data recorders. Second, the sample was small, included a disproportionate percentage of females, and was overrepresented by families with higher-level educations and higher incomes. These sample characteristics suggest caution in generalizing the findings to teenage drivers broadly.
Driver Education Practices in Selected States PDF, 812.56 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/driver-education-pr...A Fresh Look at Driver Education in America PDF, 1004.84 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/fresh-look-driver-e...
The objectives of this study were to: (1) identify and review current driver education and training programs in use nationally and internationally; (2) identify best teaching practices for teenagers; (3) examine the optimal sequencing for the presentation of safe driving skills in the classroom and behind-the-wheel training; and (4) assess whether a new approach to driver education would be beneficial. These objectives were accomplished using a survey of the driver education rules and practices in the 50 States performed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and Driver Education and Training Administrators (DETA); literature reviews of research on teen crashes, the best teaching methodologies for teenagers, and injury prevention strategies for teens; and an expert panel analysis that compared current teaching practices with identified best practices, combining driver training with graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems.
The Effect of Passengers on Teen Driver Behavior PDF, 870.31 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/effect-passengers-t...
A number of studies have shown that passengers substantially increase the risk of crashes for young, novice drivers. This increased risk may result from distractions that young passengers create for drivers. Alternatively, the presence of passengers may increase the likelihood of teenage drivers engaging in explicitly risky behaviors, for example, by actively encouraging the drivers to take risks. A better understanding of the nature of passengers’ influence on teenage driving will help develop strategies to reduce young drivers’ increased crash risks
STATE OF VERMONT - DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM PDF, 366.65 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/state-vermont-drive...Oregon Driver Education Assessment Letter PDF, 283.5 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/oregon-driver-educa...
This letter is to acknowledge those Driver Education Assessment recommendations and their role in the future of Oregon Driver Education program.
Talking About Driving with an Older Driver PDF, 583.86 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/talking-about-drivi...
Questions you might want to ask the older driver in your family to ensure that they can continue driving safely.