UMTRI Project

Translating Teen Driver and Parent Interventions into Diverse Practice Settings

Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Investigators: C. Raymond Bingham, Jean T. Shope
09/30/2007 - 09/29/2011

<p>This study addresses three aims with the intention of enhancing teen driver safety by increasing the accurate and efficient translation of research and evaluation of teen driver safety practices into practice. Aim 1 examines ways in which the accurate translation of research that has contributed to the development and evaluation of graduated driver licensing (GDL) is improved by reducing barriers and enhancing facilitators of parental monitoring and enforcement of GDL requirements with their teens. More accurate translation of the research behind GDL will improve the fidelity of GDL so that its application better reflects what was intended conceptually. This increase in fidelity will improve the safety of teens as they are learning to drive by enhancing their adherence to GDL requirements, such as the amount of supervised driving, limits on passengers and allowable driving times and days, which were designed to lower the risk of a motor vehicle crash (MVC) while teens learn to drive. The ultimate outcome will be reduced morbidity and mortality among teen drivers, their passengers, and other motorists. Aim 2 uses Checkpoints as an example in examining the efficient translation of new effective teen driver safety programs into practice while ensuring the continuity of the new program by combining it with existing policies, laws, or programs. An important element in the effective translation of developmental and evaluation research into enduring programs is to work closely with those individuals, offices, and organizations that are currently administering the policy law or program that the new program will become a part of. By involving these stakeholders we will increase the likelihood that implementation will be successful, while also identifying potential obstacles to implementation. Aim 3 examines ways to enhance the translation of research on teen driver safety into practice by reducing disparities the prevent teens from completing GDL. The results of this study will be guidelines and recommendations for policy makers, health and safety programs, and future research on teen driver safety. These aims will be addressed using a qualitative/quantitative approach and with the assistance of a panel of experts. The results will have implications for policy and law makers, driver educators, and parents of teens learning to drive.</p>