The impact of teen and young adult motor vehicle crashes is substantial. This age group makes up only 14% of the US population but contributes 30% of all fatal and nonfatal injuries due to motor vehicle crashes.
The current approach to preventing motor vehicle crashes is the state-level Graduated Driver Licensing program (GDL). GDL programs consist of three sequential steps:
- acquiring a learner’s permit
- receiving a restricted/provisional license
- a full driver’s license
The DRIVINGLY Study seeks to address an unmet need for comprehensive driving instruction during the GDL, targeted at inexperienced teens.
DRIVINGLY is an 18-month research study designed to evaluate a teen driver safety program. This program consists of both parent-and teen-directed activities with an aim to reduce teens’ risk for motor vehicle crashes. The study team is looking to enroll 1200 parent-teen pairs. These pairs will be randomized into either a parent-teen driving intervention (PTI) or receive current driving instruction materials.
The study is conducted at the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with University of Edinburgh, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
- Parents will:
- Complete 3 online surveys over 6 months
- These 20-30 minute surveys ask questions related to demographics, health and driving beliefs, and past driving behavior.
- Record weekly driving logs on the Drivingly website about their teen’s driving practice
- Complete an online module about driver safety (PTI group only)
- Complete 3 online surveys over 6 months
- Teens will:
- Complete 6 online surveys over 18 months
- These 20-30 minutes surveys ask questions related to demographics, health and driving beliefs, and past driving behavior.
- Record weekly driving logs on the Drivingly website about their driving practice
- Complete an in-person on road driving assessment with a certified driver rehabilitation specialist (PTI group only)
- Complete 6 online surveys over 18 months
At the end of 18-months, the study team will receive crash records from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
All parents and teens will be compensated for their participation.
Eligible teens will:
- Be between 16 and 17 years old
- Have a Pennsylvania learner’s permit
- Have less than 10 hours of behind the wheel experience
- Have access to a practice vehicle
- Have internet access
If you would like to participate in the Drivingly study please complete the CONTACT US section and a study team member will contact you with more information.