Teen IVBSS FOT: Methodology and Results

Abstract

Given teen drivers’ overrepresentation in motor vehicle crashes, a study was conducted to examine whether teens, as a less experienced driver population, might benefit most from an integrated collision warning system. The same integrated warning system had previously been tested with adult drivers, and the intent was to discover whether teens, in particular, would realize greater safety benefits from the integrated crash warning system. In general, the findings for teen drivers were similar to those for an adult cohort. While some, limited safety positive effects were observed with teens, they were generally comparable to those effects observed with an adult cohort population. The presence of the integrated warning system did have some safety positive effects on lateral control of the vehicle by teen drivers – including a 24% reduction in lane departures and 5-fold increase in turn signal usage when compared to a control group. However, the effects were less pronounced, and of mixed impact, when it came to the longitudinal control of the vehicle. Like their adult cohorts, teens generally offered a favorable impression of the integrated collision warning system.

While some specific safety-positive effects were observed, they were not as prevalent as one might have anticipated or hoped for given teens’ overrepresentation in motor vehicle crashes.