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Adolescent Drivers: Understanding Their Differences and Promoting Safe Driving

This article explores the unique characteristics of adolescent drivers, including brain development and other developmental factors. It discusses why teens drive the way they do, and introduces strategies such as Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and interventions for parents to promote safe driving. The article emphasizes the importance of tailored programs that address teens' developmental needs and involve their parents.

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Adolescent Drivers: Understanding Their Differences and Promoting Safe Driving

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  1. UMTRI Emerging Traffic Safety Issues: Adolescent Drivers C. Raymond Bingham University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Social and Behavioral Analysis Division rbingham@umich.edu

  2. UMTRI Background Motor vehicle crash is the leading cause of death and injury among teens. Rates. Changes. How does MI stacks up?

  3. UMTRI Today’s Topics 1. What makes adolescents different? 2. Why do teens drive the way they do? 3. Should we all just get off the road, or can teens be safe drivers?

  4. UMTRI What Makes Adolescents Different? • Brain Development • Teenagers’ brains are different. • Maturation continues. • Overproduction of gray matter. • Brain undergoes “pruning.” • Myelination occurs.

  5. UMTRI What Makes Adolescents Different? • Brain Development • Process information differently • (Yurgelun-Todd, 2002). • Frontal lobes less active. • Amygdala more active. • Affects insight, reasoning power, self-control, judgment, emotions, and organization.

  6. UMTRI What Makes Adolescents Different? • Brain Development • Activity influences • brain development • (Giedd et al., 1999; http://www.human.cornell.edu/actforyouth/pdf/may02factsheetadolbraindev.pdf).

  7. UMTRI What Makes Adolescents Different? • Other Developmental Factors • Reproductive organs mature. • Rapid hormonal changes. • Sexual attraction increases. • Peers gain in importance. • Individual identity development.

  8. UMTRI Why Do Teens Drive Like That? Inexperience

  9. UMTRI Why Do Teens Drive Like That? Distractibility

  10. UMTRI Why Do Teens Drive Like That? Poor Judgment

  11. UMTRI Why Do Teens Drive Like That? Acquiring Driving Skills

  12. UMTRI Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) 1. Reduce risk in learning phase; 2. Extend supervised practice; 3. Increase complexity gradually; 4. Harsh penalties for deliberate risk-taking. These objectives match needs of the developing adolescent brain.

  13. UMTRI Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? GDL Effectiveness 1- Clear reduction in offenses/crashes during Level 1. 2- Less clear whether reduction is maintained beyond Level 1. 3- UMTRI currently researching outcomes of GDL in Level 2.

  14. UMTRI Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? GDL Augmentations 1- Increase privileges in smaller steps. 2- Advancement contingent on individual driving performance. 3- Impose more restrictions, such as restrictions on passengers. 4- Stronger penalties, such as demotion.

  15. UMTRI Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? • Check Points • Bruce Simmons-Morton • Intervention to help parents with teen drivers. • Has been implemented in Connecticut and Maryland. • UMTRI will be testing it in Michigan.

  16. UMTRI Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? • Teen Safety Belt Use • Teens poorest users of safety belts. • Need a better understanding of the reasons for non-use by teens. • Special initiatives targeting teens. • Programs that are tailored to reach teens.

  17. UMTRI Conclusion • Adolescents are different. • Have different needs. • Programs that address teens at their developmental level are more likely to succeed. • Teens should include their parents in the process of learning to drive.

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