Preventing Teen Motor Crashes: Contributions from the Behavioral and Social Sciences: Workshop Report

摘要

Fatalities and injuries overall and for teenagers have been reduced substantially over the past 30 years as a result of changes in state laws, such as seat belt requirements and increases in the legal drinking age (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2006a). Changes in licensure re- quirements, public information campaigns, and strategies for encouraging parent involvement in the training of new drivers are other valuable strate- gies that have been used to improve driving safety for teens. While the impact of these efforts is evident, novice drivers continue to have the high- est rates of crashes, injuries, and fatalities of any group; the sheer magni- tude of the injuries and fatalities that continue to result from teen crashes shows that current prevention efforts are inadequate. The report is organized to provide both an overview of the factual information that was presented as well as insights that emerged about the role that researchers can play in reducing and preventing teen motor ve- hicle crashes. Chapter 2 provides an exploration of teen crashes, how they happen, and the risk factors that contribute to them. Chapter 3 addresses specific features of adolescence that may play a role in the way teenagers drive and their high crash risk. Chapter 4 explores the strategies already being used to improve teenagers safety on the road, as well as promising strategies not yet being fully implemented. The report closes with a discus- sion of future directionsChapter 5 addresses both the need for ongoing research to address pressing questions that have not yet been resolved or have emerged from technological developments, as well as the vital impor- tance of coordinating and capitalizing on an already impressive body of knowledge about teen driving.