370 The PARTY Program and Distracted Driving: Beliefs and Behaviors of Teen Participants

Abstract

Study Objectives: Teen drivers account for the highest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes. PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) is an interactive teen program with lectures, simulations and role-playing shown to reduce traumatic injuries. Classic PARTY focuses on alcohol-and drug-impaired driving, with less emphasis on other distractions. We sought to describe participant beliefs and behaviors concerning driving risks from impaired or distracted driving.Methods: Retrospective observational study of PARTY participants at an academic trauma center from August 2010 to July 2011. Sessions were free, with voluntary participation from students in the public school system. Participants completed anonymous, unmatched surveys before, immediately after, and one month after the program with the same multiple-choice questions. We used multivariable ordinal logistic regression to examine possible associations between student beliefs and behaviors with age, sex, survey version, and driver's license status.Results: Five hundred youth aged 12-20 years (median: 16) participated; response rates were 23% (before) 61% (immediately after) and 25% (one month after). Data were collected unmatched and treated as such with 547 total responses; 56% were female and 37% were licensed drivers. Students appeared more aware of risks related to alcohol- or drug-impaired driving than from texting or talking on a phone while driving. Similarly, more teens reported “never” riding with impaired drivers than “never” talking or texting while driving. In this sample, the PARTY program did not appear to have significant positive effects on beliefs or behaviors.Conclusion: Before PARTY, teens were already aware of the dangers of alcohol- or drug-impaired driving, while newer distractions such as texting and talking on a cell phone while driving were generally perceived as less likely to result in injury. This study was limited by the use of self-reported, unmatched data and low response rates. However, observed opinions related to the relative risks between distracted versus intoxicated driving and prevalence of distracted driving support the need for continued efforts to reduce all forms of impaired and distracted driving among teens. Study Objectives: Teen drivers account for the highest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes. PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) is an interactive teen program with lectures, simulations and role-playing shown to reduce traumatic injuries. Classic PARTY focuses on alcohol-and drug-impaired driving, with less emphasis on other distractions. We sought to describe participant beliefs and behaviors concerning driving risks from impaired or distracted driving. Methods: Retrospective observational study of PARTY participants at an academic trauma center from August 2010 to July 2011. Sessions were free, with voluntary participation from students in the public school system. Participants completed anonymous, unmatched surveys before, immediately after, and one month after the program with the same multiple-choice questions. We used multivariable ordinal logistic regression to examine possible associations between student beliefs and behaviors with age, sex, survey version, and driver's license status. Results: Five hundred youth aged 12-20 years (median: 16) participated; response rates were 23% (before) 61% (immediately after) and 25% (one month after). Data were collected unmatched and treated as such with 547 total responses; 56% were female and 37% were licensed drivers. Students appeared more aware of risks related to alcohol- or drug-impaired driving than from texting or talking on a phone while driving. Similarly, more teens reported “never” riding with impaired drivers than “never” talking or texting while driving. In this sample, the PARTY program did not appear to have significant positive effects on beliefs or behaviors. Conclusion: Before PARTY, teens were already aware of the dangers of alcohol- or drug-impaired driving, while newer distractions such as texting and talking on a cell phone while driving were generally perceived as less likely to result in injury. This study was limited by the use of self-reported, unmatched data and low response rates. However, observed opinions related to the relative risks between distracted versus intoxicated driving and prevalence of distracted driving support the need for continued efforts to reduce all forms of impaired and distracted driving among teens.