1. 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

2. Leading Cause of Death United States, Ages 15-19 37%

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Effect of GDL in North Carolina

8. 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

9. 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!

10. 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%

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

12. Tip Sheets Second sheet

13. Tip Sheets Third sheet

14. How helpful was the book in working with your teen? N = 126 45% 49% 6%

15. How helpful were the “tip sheets” in working with your teen? N = 120 29% 66% 5%

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

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

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

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

20. Complimented your teen? p <.01

21. Raised your voice? p <.01

22. Pointed out possible hazards? p <.01

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

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

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

26. 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

27. GDL Enforcement Project February, 2003 - present  Recruited families at DMV offices 1) Level 2 2) Level 3  Preliminary results from 303 families with teen now at Level 3

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

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

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

31. 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

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

33. 16 & 17 Year-old Driver Death Rate by Time of Night and Presence of Passengers Source: Chen et al., JAMA, 2000.

34. Traffic Convictions by License Level North Carolina, 1998 - 2001 Note. Excludes those who turn 18 before completing level 12 mo.6 mo.1 - 6 mo.7 - 12 mo.

35. rob_foss@unc.edu http://www.hsrc.unc.edu