2013 Session: 436

• Investigation into Young Drivers' Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behavior in Korea
  Abstract: The main objective of this study is to investigate and provide in-depth understanding of the attitudes, perceptions and behavior of Korean young drivers aged between 18 and 24 years old. Overall 188 survey questionnaire responses were collected to find out the significant factors affecting the involvement of young drivers in crashes and receiving citations in Korea. Two-way analysis was conducted to find out factors associated with age, gender, involvement in at-fault crashes and traffic violations. Based on these factors, binary logistic regression and nested logit models were constructed to explain young drivers¡¯ involvement in at-fault crashes and violations, respectively.The models¡¯ results showed that the involvement in at-fault crashes is positively associated with the average mileage per year and dangerous behavior such as running the red light, using mobile phones and exceeding speed limits, but is negatively associated with the desirable behavior of yielding for pedestrians/bicycles. Meanwhile a citation model showed that the average car use frequency and distraction represented by actions such as adjusting the car audio, smoking, eating or drinking, and using the mobile phone while driving are significant factors that increase the probability of receiving a citation. It is concluded from this study that there are several hazardous actions and attitudes that increase the possibility of involvement in at-fault crashes and also violations for young drivers in Korea. These results can be used by municipal government officials, police and driving school instructors to focus on specific items to ameliorate the driving behavior and attitudes which have effects on crashes as well as traffic violations.
  Authors: Lee, Jaeyoung; Choi, Keechoo; Abdel-Aty, Mohamed A.
  Authors: Lee, Jaeyoung; Choi, Keechoo; Abdel-Aty, Mohamed A.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-0655
• Are Young Drivers as Safe as They Think They Are?
  Abstract: This paper evaluates the driving behavior of young drivers few years after licensure. The evaluation is based on two data collection approaches, which were compiled for the same trips: The first, In Vehicle Data Recorders (IVDR), which were installed in the young drivers’ vehicles for a study period of 8 months. The second, Self-Reports (SR), which were provided by the young drivers at random times throughout the study period. These data have been compared and used in a complementary manner in order to provide an understanding of participants’ driving behavior. The results show that young drivers clearly perceived themselves as being safer drivers than they are, according to IVDR findings. The results also suggest, based on the two approaches, that young drivers significantly improved their driving behavior during the study period. The analysis obtained should be considered as exemplifying the potential of what may be accomplished and understood using these evaluation approaches.
  Authors: Albert, Gila; Lotan, Tsippy; Toledo, Tomer; Grimberg, Einat; Lasebnik, Mariano
  Authors: Albert, Gila; Lotan, Tsippy; Toledo, Tomer; Grimberg, Einat; Lasebnik, Mariano
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-1038
• CONTRIBUTORY CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CRASHES INVOLVING UNLICENSED YOUNG DRIVERS
  Abstract: Unlicensed young drivers’ involvement in crashes in the United States (U.S.) and the risk factors associated with crashes involving these drivers have not been fully explored. Few studies provide evidence of fatal crash involvement of young unlicensed drivers. This study investigates characteristics and contributory causes of unlicensed young driver crashes that occurred in Kansas, using crash data obtained from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). In this study, the age range of drivers from 15 years to 24 years was investigated. A binary logistic regression model was developed to investigate unlicensed young driver injury severity. There were 5,781 young unlicensed driver crashes, representing 3.61% of all young drivers’ crashes, during the five-year period considered in this study. A total of 19 young unlicensed driver-involved fatal crashes occurred during the period. According to the coefficients of the logistic model, seat-belt restrained, unlicensed young drivers were less likely to suffer severe injuries when involved in crashes. Failure to yield right way was a contributory cause, which increased unlicensed young driver injury severity. Based on the identified factors, crash mitigation strategies were presented.
  Authors: Amarasingha, Niranga; Dissanayake, Sunanda
  Authors: Amarasingha, Niranga; Dissanayake, Sunanda
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-1411
• Training Hazard Perception of Young Novice Drivers: Driving Simulator Study
  Abstract: Objective: The goal of this study was to determine whether young novice drivers that were trained in hazard perception performed better than young novice drivers that did not receive training, immediately after training and two to four weeks after receiving the training. Participants: young novice drivers between the age of 17 and 25 that held their temporary or permanent driver’s license. The pretest, training or control intervention and the posttest were all conducted on the first testing day. There was a follow-up test that was conducted two to four weeks later to study persistence over time. The effects of training were assessed in a driving simulator by tracking participants’ eye movements. Results: The hazard handling scores were significantly higher for the trained group, as indicated by a significantly higher percentage of rear mirror use, and this effect persisted over time. The trained group performed significantly better in detection time and correct hazard detection both during the posttest and retention test.
  Authors: Carpentier, Aline; Wang, Weixin; Jongen, Ellen M.M.; Hermans, Elke; Brijs, Tom
  Authors: Carpentier, Aline; Wang, Weixin; Jongen, Ellen M.M.; Hermans, Elke; Brijs, Tom
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-2587
• Evaluation of Unintended Training Effects from Collision Scenarios in a Simulated Assessment for Young Novice Drivers
  Abstract: Simulated driving assessments have the benefit of safely exposing drivers to hazardous scenarios in order to evaluate performance. However, as hazards actualize, there is the potential for altering drivers’ subsequent simulator performance, such as increased vigilance and decreased number of driving performance errors. The goal of this manuscript is to preliminarily explore unintended training effects of our simulator protocol by comparing observed driving performance errors over Baseline and interim points in a simulated assessment. Twenty novice teen drivers completed four experimental drives which were designed to replicate collision scenarios from the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey. Participants did not receive any feedback about their performance during the study. In order to assess errors, we incorporated three standard intersections in each experimental drive: 1.) 2-way stop sign intersection; 2.) 4-way stop sign intersection and; 3.) left turn intersection with a stop sign. For each standard intersection, we examined simulator recorded data coded to detect speeding and stopping errors and eye tracking video data coded to detect traffic check errors. Our analysis used a sum score of errors in performance in the standardized intersections. Over the baseline and interim points, we observed similar observed numbers of errors, even after hazards actualized or simulated crashes occurred. Using a paired t-test, the total errors were not statistically significant different between baseline and Interim 4. In conclusion, preliminary evidence suggests that our teens’ driving performance did not demonstrate an unintended training effect as a result of participation in the simulated assessment.
  Authors: McDonald, Catherine Claire; Lee, Yi-Ching; Tanenbaum, Jason Bryant; Seacrist, Thomas; Romoser, Matthew Ryan Elam; Winston, Flaura
  Authors: McDonald, Catherine Claire; Lee, Yi-Ching; Tanenbaum, Jason Bryant; Seacrist, Thomas; Romoser, Matthew Ryan Elam; Winston, Flaura
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-2794
• Influence of Driving Experience and Training Programs on Traffic Collision Rates in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  Abstract: This paper addresses collision rates and trends with respect to driving experience for drivers in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates. It is very common in the literature that high collision rates do exist among young drivers during their first few months of driving. Although, several studies have addressed this phenomenon on short-term time periods, little research presented long-term trends in middle-east countries. In this paper, traffic collisions occurred in Abu Dhabi Emirate from year 2007 to 2011 were manipulated. The number of collisions and rates of drivers-at-fault per 10,000 licensed drivers with up to 20 years driving experience were calculated. Rates of different groups by year, age, nationality, gender, education level, and job title were also evaluated to examine whether or not rates are biased to a certain group of drivers. Results for all groups indicated a very consistent reduction of the rates of drivers-at-fault over time as drivers gained more experience. However, this reduction is much steeper for young drivers compared to old drivers indicating that young drivers (i.e., 18-30 years old) with more than 4 years of experience had lower rates of drivers-at-fault than old drivers with the same experience. Moreover, modeling attempts showed a good relationship between years of driving experience and yearly rates of drivers-at-fault. Results also showed that training programs in Abu Dhabi Emirate had a positive impact on the safety performance as it reduced the collision rates of the trained groups versus those not trained with the same years of experience.
  Authors: Sarhan, Mohamed Eisa; Garib, Atef M.; Al-Harthei, Hussain
  Authors: Sarhan, Mohamed Eisa; Garib, Atef M.; Al-Harthei, Hussain
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-2588
• CHARACTERISTICS, CONTRIBUTORY CAUSES, AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE SEVERITY OF CRASHES INVOLVING YOUNG DRIVERS
  Abstract: Young drivers are over-represented in both fatal and non-fatal crashes compared to other drivers and understanding the reasons would help improving safety. This study explored the detailed characteristics of young-driver-involved crashes and contributory causes, and compared those with experienced drivers. Multinomial Logit models were developed to identify severity affecting factors. It was found that teen drivers were more likely to be involved in crashes due to failure to give time and attention and falling asleep. Among other factors, alcohol involvement, not wearing seat belts, driving without a valid license, having restrictions on driver’s license, and involvement in off-roadway crashes were factors which increased young-driver injury severity. Understanding these contributory causes could lead to better crash-mitigation strategies. It is important for teen drivers to gain better education about these critical factors that are helpful to increase training, prevent crashes, and minimize driving risk.
  Authors: Amarasingha, Niranga; Dissanayake, Sunanda
  Authors: Amarasingha, Niranga; Dissanayake, Sunanda
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-3023
• Have Graduated Driver License Programs Reduced Teen Driving Error-Related Fatal Crashes? Local Level Approach to Estimating Safety Effects of GDL Programs
  Abstract: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teens age 15 to 19 in the U.S. Three stage programs that grant teens increasing driving privileges over time, GDL systems attempt to strike a compromise between allowing teens to gain the experience needed to attain good driving skills, while limiting teen driving in high risk contexts, such as carrying young passengers and driving at night. Using a panel data set of teen driver involved fatal vehicle crashes among 16 to 17 year old drivers in commuting zones straddling state borders, I estimate the effect of GDL programs and their components on teen driver and teen driver error related fatal crash rates using a state border policy discontinuity design. Additionally, I analyze the impacts on crash characteristics most likely associated with teen driving mistakes, such as the presence of young occupants, occurring at night, or involving alcohol. The method used takes into account local heterogeneities in factors affecting accident rates, providing more credible identification than previous studies. My findings indicate much larger GDL effects than in the extant literature. I find that the strongest GDL programs, as rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, reduce teen driving related fatal crash rates by 25 to 34 percent and teen driving error related fatal crash rates by 34 to 45 percent. The most effective components of GDL programs were early nighttime driving curfews beginning between 6pm to 10pm. Passenger restrictions had statistically significant effects only when controlling for the number of licensed teens on the road. For example, the zero to one passenger limit reduced quarterly county-level teen driver involved fatal crash rates per 100,000 by -6.4 points per quarter, relative to a mean rate of 9.5 in state-periods without restrictions. These passenger limits were also highly effective at reducing nighttime crashes among teens, with a reduction in these crash rates of -5.9 per 100,000. Finally, the extended practice period during which newly licensed teens are only allowed to drive under adult supervision were effective in reducing fatal crashes per unit population. However, when controlling for the share of licensed teen drivers, practice periods were only important for nighttime crashes occurring after 9pm.
  Authors: Scholl, Lynn
  Authors: Scholl, Lynn
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-3863
• Do Graduated Driver License Laws Reduce Teen Employment?
  Abstract: Since 1996 many states have passed graduated driver license (GDL) laws that increased driving restrictions facing 16 and 17 year olds. While these programs have been highly effective in reducing injury and fatal crashes among young teen drivers, it is not clear whether these gains come at the cost of reduced access of young teens to transportation and employment. Indeed, young teen driver license rates fell 14 percentage points between 1996--just before GDL laws were introduced-- and 2008, while teen employment rates fell by the same amount during this period. To estimate the causal effects of GDL laws on teen licensure and employment, we exploit variation in the incidence and strength of these laws over time and across states. Our estimates suggest that GDL laws explain about half of the decline in licensure rates among young teens, but surprisingly we find very little effect of GDL laws upon employment. Since 85 percent of young teens use a car to get to work, our estimates suggest that teens may use a number of strategies to adjust to the lack of a driver license and that their ability to drive may be less important in the U.S. labor market than is usually assumed.
  Authors: Scholl, Lynn; Dube, Arin; Reich, Michael
  Authors: Scholl, Lynn; Dube, Arin; Reich, Michael
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-4596
• Are Young Drivers as Safe as They Think They Are?
  Authors: Albert, Gila
  Authors: Albert, Gila
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-1038
• Investigation into Young Drivers' Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behavior in Korea
  Authors: Lee, Jaeyoung
  Authors: Lee, Jaeyoung
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 436
  Paper Number: 13-0655