Abstract
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian and driver crashes are increasing at an alarming rate due to technological advancements and human errors. There is a need to improve existing driver education programs to mitigate the chances of crashes. The objectives of this research were 1) to examine the quality of Nevada’s driver education by evaluating the effectiveness of its programs, and 2) to provide recommendations to improve driving education in Nevada based on the results from this study. Two different surveys were conducted in Clark County, Southern Nevada. The first survey focused on assessing the strengths and limitations of the current Driver Education Programs in Nevada by capturing the opinions and attitudes of those who went through the process as teenagers. The second survey focused on driver safety through the involvement of pedestrians on the road. These surveys and the corresponding statistical analysis as well as the exiting literature have provided insights to improve driving education. The corresponding recommendations were organized into seven major categories: 1) lack of rigor of online driver education, 2) interactive learning and technology, 3) follow-up exams, 4) practice/training at home, 5) collecting information about crashes, 6) pedestrians, and 7) additional emphasis. Finally, due to the dangers of driving distractions (texting and calling on the cell phone) and impairments (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), more emphasis on these topics—as well as more public announcements through billboards, television commercials, and magazines— can help to constantly remind drivers about having good driving habits.
Highlights
In a recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [1], 33,561 motor vehicle fatalities occurred nationally in year 2012, a 3.3% increase overall from year 2011
The online course was the most popular for those who went through the Driver Education Program to obtain their Certificate of Completion (n = 75)
The results showed that about 82.5% of those who took part in the Nevada Driver Education Program reported that their motivation to have safe driving habits and behaviors were moderately important (n = 17), an important influence (n = 70), or a top priority (n = 50)
Summary
In a recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [1], 33,561 motor vehicle fatalities occurred nationally in year 2012, a 3.3% increase overall from year 2011. In a similar analysis for 2012, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [2] reported that teenagers were involved in 8% (2823 out of 33,561) of the total number of motor vehicle fatalities. Young drivers between 16 and years old are nearly three times more likely than people over years of age to have fatal vehicle crashes [2]. Some research studies have found that graduates of driver education courses have fewer crashes and violations than their counterparts [4]. There are studies emphasizing the importance of driver education [5]. Driver education is considered “very important” for 86% of the respondents of a survey conducted in the U.S [7]
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