Is there a case for driver training? A review of the efficacy of pre- and post-licence driver training

Vanessa Beanland; Natassia Goode; Paul M Salmon; M G Lenne

doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2012.06.021

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Is there a case for driver training? A review of the efficacy of pre- and post-licence driver training

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Is there a case for driver training? A review of the efficacy of pre- and post-licence driver training

Vanessa Beanland, Natassia Goode, Paul M Salmon and M G Lenne

Safety Science, Vol.51(1), pp.127-137

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2012.06.021

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Abstract

young drivers

novice drivers

driver training

driver education

crash rates

Although driver training programs are currently popular, the degree to which they reduce crash involvement remains ambiguous. This paper aims to determine how effective driver training has been in improving young novice drivers' on-road safety and to identify key research limitations. A literature review was undertaken examining evaluations of driver training programs, primarily those published within the past decade (2001-2011). The review utilised peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, books, government reports and consultant reports. Both pre- and post-licence training programs were considered. Pre-licence training programs aim to develop the skills that are required to obtain a driver's licence and drive safely, such as basic vehicle control and traffic assessment. Post-licence training programs aim to enhance skills that are considered relevant to crash prevention including skid control, hazard perception and advanced vehicle control skills. The results of the review indicate that some forms of training have been effective for procedural skill acquisition and other programs have been found to improve drivers' hazard perception. Conversely, evidence suggests that traditional driver training programs have not reduced young drivers' crash risk. Caution is urged when interpreting this finding as major methodological flaws were identified in previous evaluation studies, including: no control group; non-random group assignment; failure to control or measure confounding variables; and poor program design. Further, the validity and usefulness of crash rates as an outcome measure is questionable. More robust research should be undertaken to evaluate driver training programs, using more sensitive measures to assess drivers' on-road safety.

Details

Title: Is there a case for driver training? A review of the efficacy of pre- and post-licence driver training
Authors: Vanessa Beanland (Author) - Monash University
Natassia Goode (Author) - Monash University
Paul M Salmon (Author) - Monash University
M G Lenne (Author) - Monash University
Publication details: Safety Science, Vol.51(1), pp.127-137
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2012.06.021
ISSN: 0925-7535
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450266802621
Output Type: Journal article

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