Effectiveness of Parent-Focused Interventions to Increase Teen Driver Safety: A Critical Review

Abstract

Purpose We critically reviewed recent parent-directed teen driving interventions in order to summarize their success in meeting stated goals; identify promising intervention components and knowledge gaps; aid in the selection, adaptation, and dissemination of effective interventions; and guide future research efforts. Methods We focused on interventions that included a direct parent component, explicitly stated outcomes related to the teen and/or their parents, were evaluated for parent or teen outcomes, targeted drivers under age 21, and had at least one evaluation study published since 1990 and in English. We conducted a comprehensive systematic search of 26 online databases between November 2013 and January 2014 and identified 34 papers representing 18 interventions. Results Several interventions—in particular those that had an active engagement component, incorporated an in-vehicle data recorder system, and had a strong conceptual approach—show promise in improving parental supervisory behaviors during the learner and early independent phases, increasing teen driver skill acquisition, and reducing teens' risky driving behaviors. Conclusions We identify essential characteristics of effective parent-involved teen driving interventions and their evaluation studies, propose a comprehensive and multi-tiered approach to intervention, and discuss several research areas and overarching issues for consideration.

Adolescent Cellphone Use While Driving: An Overview of the Literature and Promising Future Directions for Prevention

“…Furthermore, efforts to reduce cellphone use while driving in adolescents may be more successful if the intervention also addresses the parents’ behavior. There is promising evidence that active parental involvement enhances the effectiveness of adolescent driving interventions (Curry, Peek-Asa, Hamann, & Mirman, 2015). Furthermore, given the strong correlation between parental engagement with texting and driving and their child's behavior, strategies that enable parents to be better role models for their children are highly promising (Carter et al, 2014).…”

Attitudes on technological, social, and behavioral economic strategies to reduce cellphone use among teens while driving

“…Increased parental engagement through supervisory practice driving, improved parent-teen communication, limit setting and feedback reports from safety event-triggered in-vehicle video monitoring has been shown to improve safe driving behaviors. (30–35) Our survey respondents echoed privacy concerns identified by teens in prior studies on the acceptance of previously available technologies to monitor driving. (36–39) However, teen drivers have expressed that direct, automated feedback from devices, rather than parental review and discussion of in-vehicle data, may be more objective and thus may be more credible and acceptable.…”

Compliance With and Enforcement of Graduated Driver Licensing Restrictions

“…31 However, the effect of parent-directed interventions aimed to increase compliance has been modest. 7,32 Results from this study highlight several potential areas for future outreach, such as awareness campaigns targeting higher-risk times (weekends, summer) and affordable access to education about GDL for lower-income drivers, who have been found to have lower rates of participation in formal driver education and increased rates of risky driving behaviors and crashes. 33,34,39 …”