Driver Education Committee June 25, 2018

Agenda Welcome and Introductions Meeting Purpose Overview of Ohio Driver Training Program NHTSA Guidelines – Driver Education Group Discussion Next Steps

Distracted Driving Task Force June 4, 2018 Introductions Name Organization Why are you interested? What is your expertise? Distracted Driving Task Force June 4, 2018

Why are we here? Ohio has experienced four years of rising traffic deaths. Ohio has hit a roadblock in its efforts to reduce serious injuries and deaths. After decades of steady decline, traffic deaths across the state are rising. This rise is occurring despite the safest vehicle design in history, the safest roads, and faster emergency response. Quite frankly we should be so much farther ahead – and we think driver education is critical factor in why we aren’t.   In 2013, Ohio had its safest year in history. That year, the state dropped below 1,000 deaths for the first time since it began keeping records in 1935. Last year, Ohio had 1,133 deaths. This represents the fourth consecutive year that traffic deaths have increased in Ohio. They rose by 2% in 2014, 10% in 2015, 2% in 2016 and 4% last year. The only bright spot has been serious injuries, which have been trending down.

94% The National Highway Safety Administration estimates that about 94% of all crashes start with some human error – which is why we need an education committee. How can we better communicate with the public and how can we get them to change their driving behavior. Can we give them the tools to get better?

15 SHSP Emphasis Areas Intersections Rear-End Crashes Roadway Departure Intersections Rear-End Crashes Highway-Railroad Crossings Impaired Drivers Seat Belts Speed Young Drivers Older Drivers Distracted Drivers Bicyclists Pedestrians Commercial Motor Vehicles Motorcycles Data This effort we’re about to undertake is part of the state’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan. It’s a document created and used by local, state and federal safety organizations to identify the greatest causes of serious injuries and deaths on Ohio roads. The plan has 15 crash types, road users and driver behaviors that contribute to these crashes. It then outlines strategies and investments to prevent these crashes. We have a statewide steering committee that meets every two months to track crash trends and direct resources to preventing crashes – this committee was created from that process. And the strategies and materials we identify as a committee could potentially be funded and supported through this group.

Fatalities per Emphasis Area 2008-2017 To help inform your recommendations – I want to share the top factors associated with traffic deaths in Ohio. This chart shows you all the SHSP emphasis areas by type. Between 30 and 50% of all fatal crashes each year involve roadway departure, unbelted drivers or passengers, alcohol (and increasingly drugs), speed, and young drivers between the ages of 15 and 25. The causes are also over lapping. So it’s typical to see someone leave the roadway under the influence of drug or alcohol … When we look at serious injuries – intersection-related crashes rise to the top.

Overview of Older Driver Crashes 2008-2017 In addition, we’re beginning to see a rise in specific crash types such as Older Drivers – 65 or older. This chart shows you serious injuries in green and deaths are in blue, So for example, over the past four years, we’ve seen increasing numbers of older drivers (age 65 or older) who have been killed or seriously injured on Ohio roads.

Overview of Pedestrian Crashes 2008-2017 We’ve also seen four consecutive years of rising pedestrian-related deaths. 90 in 2013 versus 143 last year. No doubt it’s because more people are walking than they used to for a variety of reasons, including health, recreation and money.

Overview of Distracted Driving Crashes 2008-2017 And who in this room isn’t concerned about distracted driving, and the growing amount of cell phone use behind the wheel? Last year, there were 20,597 total crashes in Ohio, but we know the number is likely much higher. So these are a few of the trends that this committee should consider when researching and making recommendations.

Committee Purpose This committee has been created to: Review traffic safety education in Ohio and make recommendations for improvements: Driver Training Public Education Develop user friendly materials that can be used to communicate across multiple platforms. So let’s discuss this committee’s purpose. ODOT has agreed to provide staff and consultant assistance to research and develop recommendations, and we’re willing to fund - hopefully with the help of others -- Any recommendations that come out of this committee.

Meeting Purpose GET ORGANIZED

Ohio Driver Training Program

Curriculum

NHTSA Guidelines

NHTSA Guidelines Basic driving techniques (Starting, stopping, turning, and basic interaction in light and moderate traffic)   Additional driving techniques (Steering, braking, and accelerating in a precise and timely manner) Cognitive aspects of driving (Gap management; recognizing and responding to hazards; signaling techniques; speed management; visual searching; etc.) Risk prevention techniques (skid prevention) The next few slides (handout) highlight the main elements they suggest.

NHTSA Guidelines Rules of the Road Including state and local laws and ordinances   Attitudinal Awareness How attitudes impact driving Peer Pressure How to say “no” to unsafe situations Vehicle Technology Including preventive maintenance

NHTSA Guidelines Vehicle and Highway Features Highway Design Signs, signals, pavement markings and design features   Urban vs. Rural Characteristics How to safely use these roadways Safe Driving Practices Seat belts, driving drunk, distractions, aggressive driving Sharing the Road Awareness for pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles This is where this committee will likely have the most impact. In developing materials and guidance on …

NHTSA Guidelines Plan for Public Education GDL Laws Especially Parents   Target At-Risk Audiences Seat belt use, drunk driving prevention, distractions, etc. NHTSA also recommends that states develop a broader public education campaign to reach drivers of all ages. They specifically call out …

Ohio Driver Training Program Before we take a quick break, I thought we could use some humor.

Group Discussion

Framing the Conversation Need to know Nice to know Noise We need to focus on the most critical things.

Questions What educational topics are you most concerned about? What research or information do you want or need? Are there specific materials that we should emulate? How should we structure this committee and the work to be done? How often should we meet and how? We can refer back to the materials that were handed out to make sure we are covering the basic elements of instructional requirements.

Next Steps Meeting Two Meeting Three   Review previous strategies and new information. Start to organize and prioritize. Meeting Three   Review and finalize draft recommendations