United States Department of Transportation
NHTSA Search Results
433 Results
The 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.
Talking About Driving with an Older Driver PDF, 363.53 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/talking-about-drivi...
Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean a person’s driving days are over. But it’s important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road.
Assessment of a Drowsy Driver Warning System PDF, 6.67 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/assessment-drowsy-d...Oregon's Graduated Driver Licensing program PDF, 3.42 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/oregons-graduated-d...Asleep at the Wheel: A Nation of Drowsy Drivers PDF, 775.65 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/asleep-wheel-nation...
SPEAKER BIOS
Asleep at the Wheel: A Nation of Drowsy Drivers PDF, 276.11 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/asleep-wheel-nation...
Developing the framework for addressing drowsy driving across the nation.
Blood Alcohol Testing in Older Drivers PDF, 1.22 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/blood-alcohol-testi...Brake Assist – Evaluating Driver Performance PDF, 27.98 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/brake-assist-%E2%80...NHTSA Driver Distraction Internet Forum PDF, 452.74 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/nhtsa-driver-distra...Svenson NaturalisticStudy-CV Drivers.pdf PDF, 218 bytes
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/svenson-naturalisti...Driver Education Practices in Selected States
https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-tech/driver-educatio... July 1, 2011The Effect of Passengers on Teen Driver Behavior
https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-tech/effect-passenge... April 1, 2012Drivers’ Use of Marijuana in Washington State
https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-tech/drivers-use-mar... August 1, 2016Volume 1 - Final Report - Older Drivers PDF, 1.3 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/volume-1-final-repo...Volume II - Appendices - Older Drivers PDF, 6.29 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/volume-ii-appendice...Adapting Motor Vehicles for Older Drivers PDF, 628.99 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/adapting-motor-vehi...
Evaluate your needs, making sure the vehicle "fits" you properly, choosing appropriate features, installing and knowing how to use adaptive devices, practicing good vehicle maintenance.
Driver Electronic Device Use in 2015 PDF, 808.62 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/driver-electronic-d...
The percentage of passenger vehicle drivers text-messaging or visibly manipulating handheld devices remained constant at 2.2 percent in 2015. Driver handheld cell phone use decreased from 4.3 percent in 2014 to 3.8 percent in 2015; this was not a statistically significant decrease. These results are from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), which provides the only nationwide probability-based observed data on driver electronic device use in the United States.