The use of technology to address patterns of risk among teenage drivers.
BACKGROUND
The crash risk of teens is high, with fatal crash rates of teen drivers higher than any other age group. New approaches to reduce teen traffic fatalities are clearly needed.


METHODS
A possible approach to reduce the incidence of teen driver crashes and fatalities is through the use of vehicle-based intelligent driver support systems. To be most effective, the system should address the behaviors associated with an overwhelming number of teen fatal crashes: speed, low seatbelt use, and alcohol impairment. In-vehicle technology also offers an opportunity to address the issue of inexperience through enforcement of certain Graduated Driver's License provisions.


RESULTS
To fully understand the capability of such technologies, there should be a concerted effort to further their development, and human factors testing should take place to understand their effects on the driver.


CONCLUSIONS
If successfully implemented, a Teen Driver Support System (TDSS), such as the one described here, could significantly decrease the number of teens killed in traffic crashes.
Brovold
Shawn
S
Department of Mechanical Engineering, ITS Institute, University of Minnesota, USA.
Ward
Nic
N
Donath
Max
M
Simon
Stephen
S
Shankwitz
Craig
C
Creaser
Janet
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001336:Automobiles; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D040241:Social Marketing