TITLE:
The Effectiveness of Driver Education and Information Programs in the State of Nevada
AUTHORS:
Alexander Paz, David Copeland, Pankaj Maheshwari, Kris Gunawan, Mohammad Soroush Tafazzoli
KEYWORDS:
Driver Education, Driving Distractions, Interactive Learning Techniques, Statistical Analysis, Driver and Pedestrian Interactions
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
13,
2015
ABSTRACT: According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian and driver crashes are increasing at an alarming rate due to technological advancements and human errors. There is a need to improve existing driver education programs to mitigate the chances of crashes. The objectives of this research were 1) to examine the quality of Nevada’s driver education by evaluating the effectiveness of its programs, and 2) to provide recommendations to improve driving education in Nevada based on the results from this study. Two different surveys were conducted in Clark County, Southern Nevada. The first survey focused on assessing the strengths and limitations of the current Driver Education Programs in Nevada by capturing the opinions and attitudes of those who went through the process as teenagers. The second survey focused on driver safety through the involvement of pedestrians on the road. These surveys and the corresponding statistical analysis as well as the exiting literature have provided insights to improve driving education. The corresponding recommendations were organized into seven major categories: 1) lack of rigor of online driver education, 2) interactive learning and technology, 3) follow-up exams, 4) practice/training at home, 5) collecting information about crashes, 6) pedestrians, and 7) additional emphasis. Finally, due to the dangers of driving distractions (texting and calling on the cell phone) and impairments (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), more emphasis on these topics—as well as more public announcements through billboards, television commercials, and magazines— can help to constantly remind drivers about having good driving habits.