Keywords

driver education, driving restrictions, group intervention, parent management practices, teen driving risk

 

Authors

  1. Zakrajsek, Jennifer S. MS, MPH
  2. Shope, Jean T. PhD
  3. Ouimet, Marie Claude PhD
  4. Wang, Jing PhD
  5. Simons-Morton, Bruce G. EdD

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of an adapted Checkpoints Program designed to increase parental limits on novice teen independent driving under high-risk conditions. Twenty-seven class sessions with a minimum of 5 dyads each were delivered in driver education to 231 parent-teen dyads. Entire driving school classes were randomized to Checkpoints Program or comparison group sessions, both led by a trained health educator. At licensure, compared with parents in the comparison group, treatment parents had increased awareness of teen driving risk and were more likely to have completed a parent-teen driving agreement and met Checkpoints recommendations for restrictions on teen driving in inclement weather and road types. They were also marginally more likely to have met Checkpoints restrictions on driving with teen passengers. This study indicates that it is feasible to implement the Checkpoints Program in driver education with positive effects on parent management practices.