Parental Supervision of Teen Drivers: Can Driver Educators Help Parents Too?  Robert Foss  Arthur Goodwin  University of North Carolina  Highway Safety Research Center  ADTSEA 2003  Charlotte, NC  July 29, 2003

Leading Cause of Death United States, Ages %

The Problem (with young drivers):  Inexperience  Immaturity Risky behaviors Impulsiveness Bad judgment

The Latest Policy Approach: Graduated Driver Licensing  Provide substantial driving experience  Ensure experience obtained in low-risk situations (Parents!)  Provide motivation for responsible driving behavior

North Carolina GDL System GDL Level 1:Must be supervised 12 months no minimum # of hours GDL Level 2:Limit on night driving 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. 6 months < 1 teen passenger (12/02) GDL Level 3:No restrictions

Effect of GDL in North Carolina

GDL & Parents Project  Are parents ready for the responsibility?  What are parents doing as supervisors?  How can we help parents?  To feel more confident  To be most effective

Focus Groups  Parents uncertain what to do  Follow same approach as their parents  Surprised at their teen’s lack of knowledge  Communication difficulties  Parents need help!

Interventions with Parents February - July, 2002  Recruited 1,190 families at DMV offices  Assigned to 3 conditions 1) Book 2) Tip Sheets 3) Control  Mailed Questionnaires Response rate: 51% - 55%

 They’ll drive like you  Expect mistakes  Don’t overload them  Communicate clearly  Stay Calm! Tip Sheets First sheet

Tip Sheets Second sheet

Tip Sheets Third sheet

How helpful was the book in working with your teen? N = % 49% 6%

How helpful were the “tip sheets” in working with your teen? N = % 66% 5%

How did you use the book? (Parents) N = 124

Before making trips, did you plan to practice specific skills or situations? N = 651

How much did your teen drive during the past week? N = ~640

How often did you talk after a driving session about how things went? N = 606

Complimented your teen? p <.01

Raised your voice? p <.01

Pointed out possible hazards? p <.01

Do you feel comfortable that your teen has had enough practice doing the following? N = ~635 Permit held

Has helping your teen learn to drive had any of the following effects? N = ~605

Number of Responses to: “Any advice for other parents?” Be Patient Don’t Yell !

Summary  Helping parents is challenging  Perceptions of teens & parents differ dramatically  Teens not ready to drive alone at 5 months  Supervisory period is a positive experience

GDL Enforcement Project February, present  Recruited families at DMV offices 1) Level 2 2) Level 3  Preliminary results from 303 families with teen now at Level 3

Teen allowed to drive after 9 p.m. during Level 2?  Parents: 33%  Teens: 36%

How long before teen allowed to drive unsupervised after 9 p.m.?

How long before teen allowed to drive with more than one teen passenger?

Driver Education – Parent Link Opportunity for Driver Ed instructors to help parents: Parents respect professional expertise Can provide direction – what to do encouragement – to do it! Materials – motivation to do it

Increased Risk of Driver Death by Number of Passengers and Driver Age Source: Chen et al., JAMA, 2000.

16 & 17 Year-old Driver Death Rate by Time of Night and Presence of Passengers Source: Chen et al., JAMA, 2000.

Traffic Convictions by License Level North Carolina, Note. Excludes those who turn 18 before completing level 12 mo.6 mo mo mo.