The T.E.E.N.S. Project

Young driver, novice driver, teenage driver, driver education, driver's education, driver licensing, automobile crashes, automobile fatalities, Max Burrus, teens
The T.E.E.N.S. Project

T-eaching,
E-nlightening,
E-ncouraging,
N-urturing,
S-afety of Young Drivers

FOR THOSE WHO KEEP ASKING:
THIS STUDY WAS NEVER COMPLETED.
ALL THOUGH WE HAD THE INTEREST OF SATURN AND GM
THEY WOULD NOT FUND THIS INITIATIVE.

HOPEFULLY SOMEONE READING THIS PAGE CAN FIND FUNDING.

A group of transportation and driving experts are developing a project
called the T.E.E.N.S. Project, whose aim is to reduce the number of accidents
and trauma seen in young, inexperienced drivers.

T.E.E.N.S. stands for
Teaching, Enlightening, Encouraging, Nurturing, Safety of Young Drivers
Automotive accidents and the resulting trauma are the number one killer of young
people between 15-20 years of age. Per 100,000 licensed drivers, young people
between 15 and 24 make up 40% of all traffic fatalities.

The number of traffic injuries and crashes has steadily decreased over the past
ten years, with the increased usage of seat belts and reductions in driving while
under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, the number of fatalities has shown
a much slower decrease and in the case of teenage drivers, it has actually risen.
This is true to even a greater extent in Minnesota where teenage death rates
from automobile trauma and injury have far outpaced other age groups.

Check out the T.E.E.N.S. Project
Demonstration Day
Demonstration Day October 24th, 1996

The T.E.E.N.S. Project has been designed to help validate the need for better
behind-the-wheel training, as a means of reducing long term crashes and incidents.

The following is a proposal we are putting forth for funding.

Executive Summary

Automotive accidents and the resulting trauma are the number one killer of young people
between 15-20 years of age. Per 100,000 licensed drivers, young people between
15 and 24 make up 40% of all traffic fatalities.

We propose to recreate a study called 'The Dekalb Project', which is used as the basis for
not emphasizing better driver's education as a means to reduce young driver accidents.
This study although it is widely recognized as being flawed in it's methodology,
indicated that young drivers who received additional classroom time in driver's education
classes were not less likely to have accidents or crashes.

Our study would recreate the same two conditions as the Dekalb study
(One group with normal driver's education, and one group with additional classroom time)
and adding a third group which receives additional behind the wheel time.

We hypothesize that young drivers who receive better and longer hands on experience
before receiving their driver's licenses will have a reduced amount of
crashes, accidents,and ultimately injuries and fatalities.

Study Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a national model for revisiting the standards of
driver's education. Currently, novice driver's in most states are only required to have
thirty hours classroom time and six hours behind the wheel time for certification.
We believe novice driver's need more experience either in an advanced
driver's education training course, or even under the supervision of a parent or guardian
before receiving their full license. We believe increasing the amount of time that
a novice driver spends behind the wheel, will significantly decrease their likelihood
to be in an accident or to participate in aggressive or ill advised driving maneuvers.

Study Objectives

To recreate the Dekalb Project and either validate the need for more behind the wheel training, the need for increased classroom time, or provide the framework for further replicable studies.

To conduct a statistically valid (confidence interval of 95%) study on novice drivers in the seven county Twin Cities Metropolitan area, which can be replicated, provides full confidence in the transferability of the model developed, and proves the hypothesis set forth in the project.

To provide a curriculum or model for increased classroom and behind the wheel training for driver's education courses.

To reduce the number of injuries and fatalities seen in novice drivers.

To develop a national model and program for revising driver's education.

To utilize outreach and the media to disseminate the results of the study and to increase awareness of the problem of younger driver accidents. Both of these objectives will be meet by using outreach programs and through participation in seminars, conferences and legislative committees. Results will be presented by the T.E.E.N.S. Project at professional society meetings in transportation fields, at DOT conferences, and at safety seminars.

Background

In most States, conventional driver’s education is moving
out of the schoolsand is becoming commercialized.
The basic guideline for the commercial driver’s education center is to
fill up the thirty hours of class time, give them the six hours of
behind the wheel drivingand push them out the door.
We are training our new drivers to the lowest common denominator,
just enough to pass the test.

In 1976 a study was completed called the Dekalb project
(Dekalb is a suburban Atlanta county school district)
where driver's education was tested to see if additional classroom time
during driver's education would decrease accidents and crashes in young drivers.
This study involved 16,000 students currently in driver's education courses at their schools.
This study concluded that no significant differences existed between groups receiving
normal driver's education and those receiving additional classroom education.
This is the basis for insurance rates not being reduced for taking driver's education
and for the current standard of thirty hours classroom and six hours
behind the wheel training to get a driver's license.
This study is widely recognized as having faults, yet it has never been replicated.
The T.E.E.N.S. Project seeks to recreate the Dekalb study
but with a complete statistically random sample and testing procedures
and the addition of several other conditions.
It is our belief that an increase in classroom time does not equate into better drivers.
We firmly believe that the only way to teach our inexperienced,
novice drivers how to be better drivers is through increased
hands-on experience and behind the wheel training.

Methodology

The T.E.E.N.S. Project would draw a random sample from the seven county Metro area,
of all 15 to 16 year old drivers receiving their learner's permit after
conventional driver's education training.

Three groups would be established;
1. a control group who receives no additional training,
2. a group which receives enhanced classroom education, and
3. a third group who would receive a combination of advanced classroom
with actual handson behind the wheel road training.

In order to maintain statistical confidence at a level of 95% would require each group
to consist of 292 novice drivers, for a total of 876 drivers.

These 876 drivers would participate in orientation and be assigned
to their respective groups. Group 2 would receive the same amount of additional
classroom time as the original Dekalb project participants.
Group 3 would receive the same classroom teachings plus participate
in one on one hands on road training courses.

All three groups will be tracked and data collected for years #1, 2, 5, 9 as to:
the number of accidents they have been involved in, insurance records will be tracked,
police and State Patrol traffic violations will be tracked,
and periodic driving logs will be examined.

National statistics are collected by the age brackets of 15-20 and 21 -24 years of age,
which is why years #5 and # 9 will be examined.
In five years time they will be 20 and data can be tabulated for years 15-20.
At nine years from the beginning of the test they will be at 24 years of age and
data can be compiled for years 15-24 and 21-24 years old.

Teens Project Mission Statement
Goals and Plan

T - Teaching

E - Enlightening

E - Encouraging

N - Nurturing

S - Safety Of Young Drivers

MISSION STATEMENT:

To put together a consortium of Public, Private, Not-For-Profit, Academic,
and Government Sectors whom share a common interest in reducing the
terrible toll in Life, Trauma, Injury, and Personal Property Loss
from Young Driver Accidents.
To reverse the trend where little or no research or data has been collected
on Younger Drivers.
To conduct meaningful Training and Research of younger drivers to
increase safety and to promote better driving habits.
To utilize all available technology and advanced behind-the-wheel
driver's training to achieve the proposed goals.
To establish a database of all results for utilization by all involved parties
and for dissemination in all media.

GOALS:

Reduce the impact from and amount of accidents, trauma, and ultimately fatalities caused by younger drivers.
Develop and establish the curriculum and techniques to conduct basic
and advanced statistically sound research on young driver characteristics.
Conduct and promote education, training, and outreach in advanced skills including: better behind-the-wheel training, simulation driving, accident prevention and avoidance, and driving forces.
Promote graduated licensing and the principles of responsible driving.
Promote safer driving across the state utilizing outreach through the High School’s driver’s education programs.
Establish Minnesota to the forefront of young driver safety and research
in the United States.
Encourage continued and expanded research in young driver
characteristics at Academic, Government, and Private Centers.
Disseminate the results obtained for utilization by anyone through publication, presentation, Internet and World Wide Web resources,
and use of all available media.

STATISTICS:

Per population base drivers 24 years old and younger represent the highest involvement in fatal crashes.
Drivers 16-24 years of age represent 24% of total fatalities.
Motor vehicle crashes and the resulting traumas are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds.
In 1994 14% of all fatal crashes were drivers under 20 years of age and
16% of all police reported crashes.
In 1994 the estimated economic cost of police reported crashes for
this age group was $31.2 billion dollars.
In 1994 forty percent of the male young drivers involved in fatal
crashes were speeding.

Is Something Wrong With Driver’s Education?
Why is it hard to teach the 15-20 year old?

    In-attentiveness

    Maturity

    Little Previous Skill Training

    Large Classroom Time Portion

    Short Time of Behind the Wheel
               Hands On Experience

Conventional Driver’s Education

Classroom (Largest Portion)

Lectures, Slides, Movies, Text Books

Behind the Wheel (Limited in Time)

Can Be Expensive ($$), Limited By Fair Weather

Driver’s Education Learning Centers

Fewer Schools Involved, Usually Commercial Outlets,
Only Basic Skills Taught.

Disadvantages

Conventional driver’s education classes fail to adequately prepare
young drivers for all situations.
Conventional behind-the-wheel instruction utilizes routine speeds
and low performance level (only 20-30% of the capabilities)
of the actual vehicle.
As experience grows at routine speeds and performance,
all drivers have a decreased ability to react to the demands
of a high intensity situation.
Young driver invincibility clouds decision making when encountering
situations requiring peak performance of a vehicle.

What Are The
T.E.E.N.S. Project Solutions?

Dynamic Behind-The-Wheel Training

Increased Behind-The-Wheel Training : Emphasizing
Actual Vehicle Dynamics, Attentive Driving, and
Safety Training.

Advanced Research/Outreach

Statistically Valid Research Study,
Education, Training, and Outreach.

Dynamic Hands-on
Behind The Wheel Training

   Combines study of the dynamics of a motor vehicle with
      real experiences of upper-limit, efficient driving.

   Hands-on experience of operating a vehicle at its limits
      of performance.

   Drivers are able to gain insight into their own driving
      characteristics and limitations.

   Increases driver’s ability to handle vehicle
     calmly and methodically.

ADVANTAGES:

   Knowledge of Automobile Characteristics Translates to Skills
     When Combined With Hands On Driving

   Can Safely Train How to Handle Stress and Demands on Attention

   The Best Way to Learn is REAL Experience

   Can Actually Associate the Necessary FEAR and CAUTION
      into the Act of Driving

Action Plan

   Establish a panel of experts

   Increase awareness

   Sponsor research

   Acquire funding sources

   Establish Minnesota as the premier State in recognizing,
                      sponsoring, and legislating

   Disseminate the results and lessons learned
                     from these experiences

What Difference Can This Make?

Decrease Morbidity and Mortality

Decrease Accident Injury

Decrease Accident Frequency

Reduce Congestion Caused by Incidents and Accidents

Adds Up To An Overall Loss Reduction

Decrease Property Damage and the Vicious Circle of Inter-related
Persons Affected by the Damage, Injury, Trauma and Mortality.

For Further Information

For Further Information on The T.E.E.N.S. Project,
and the Consortium of Partners Contact:

Power Max Consulting, Inc.
Max E. Burrus
919-691-3595 (Office and Fax Number)
Oxford, NC. 27565

web@powermaxconsulting.com

For Further Information on Dynamic Driving
and Performance Driving Inc.,
Contact:

PDI
Performance Driving, Inc.

Jim DerHaag or Paul Brand
3205 Julian Drive, Chaska, MN. 55318
952-448-1899

Derhaag.jpg (89777 bytes)

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